The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-18
rrRox oun OWN REpoRTER.l

The Convention Of the Republican party
met here this evening. There was present a
full attendance Of delegates from all the coun-
Ties. H. E. Hayne, of Marion, was chosen
president, Jillson, president, Frost, secre.
tary and James Moore, sergeant at arms. After
some sharp sparring about smoking in the
convention, motions from parties not dele
gates, and the majority necessary to nominate,
It was agreed that a simple majority should
nominate, and the convention proceeded to
business .s-,-
Mr.. Swails, of Williamsburg, nominated the
Hon. H. ]. Maxwell, colored, Of Marlboro,
after paying him many compliments for abili-
ty as a State senator, devotion to Republican.
ism, and service in the Federal ar1hy, where
he had barred his breast to the bullets In the
cause Of freedom. This nomination was
seconded by the Hon. - Lee, representative
Moses, who directed his fire well; and by a
rather venerable colored delegate named Sin.
gleton, think from Chesterfield, who wanted
Mr.. Maxwell elected because he had fought.
The old man said he never fought himself, and
did not want to fight. [Laughter.l
W. II. Jones, colored, from Georgetown,
then nominated J. H. Rainey, In we'll de-
livered speech, dlr:Eg which ne was frequent
ly interrupted by applause.
P. C. Fudd, colored, of Darlington, second
ed this nomination. He said, substantially:
It has been said that 1t is impracticable that
colored men should be representatives in Con-
gress. IWhittemore two years ago.l The
Time has come when a colored man shall fill
the place of Brooks, who caned Sumner, and
the place of w. ". Boyce. hope my friend,
Mr.. Maxwell, viii be alive two years hence,
end I'm going to tell you right here why say
this. don't go for any man holding office
too long. say, after man fills the office one
term, put him out, for, If you keep him there
too long, rascaiity will come in. Laughter.
You edHeate your son. and educate my son.
the time, how can my son get in? What good
will it do me to educate my son? lGreat
laughter.]
FIJI. Moses, Jr., nominated the Hon. Thomas
]. Coghlan, of Sumter, and said that the news
of his nomination by the convention would be
greatly appreciated by the people In Sumter
County. Mr.. Moses seemed to feel that the
pressure was against him This nomination
was seconded by a Mr.. or Captain Johnson,
white, also from Sumter.
The Hon. B. F. Whittemore then arose and
said that all named were excellent candidates,
and he wished all could be elected But as
this could not be, he desired to endorse The
nomination of Maxwell, whose claims ne az, az,
vocated, because he knew him (Maxwelil
well-knew him to have been tried and refined
by the fres-knew him to be staunch and true.
He desired union and harmony, and to para
lyZe the efforts of the opposition. IL necessa-
ry, he would like to escort Maxwell to Wash
ington and see that he took his seat. Thls re-
mark caused q significant litter.
After an informal ballot, In which Rainey re-
ceIved II. Maxwell s, and Coghlan votes, Mr..
Moses. by request OF Mr.. Coghlan: withdrew
his name in favor Of Rainey.
On the second and only regular ballot,
Rainey was unanimously nominated, when
three hearty cheers were given for Rainey.
After the confusion subsided, Whittemore
again took the floor, and said substantially:
desire to present something which could
not occur except under extraordinary clrcum-
stances. Two years ago was nominated and
elected to Congress, took my seat, and held 1t
till the unfortunate occurrence last spring. Al
ter that occurrence was again Overwhelming
ly elected and sent back. / am here this eve
ming by virtue Of an act Of Congress, unconsti.
tutional and wrong. My seat was withheld
from me. and INV credentials returned to me.
must say this act of Congress was cruel to
me and unjust to my constituents. But / de-
sire to unity the party. desire that all their
candidates shall be elected. will go into the
campaign for the Hon. j. d. Rainey. Ap-
plause.l know that have friends who love
me as brothers, who have tried me ana Know I'
that have done all in my power to esfaollsh
Republicanism. l am ready to be used by the
party wherever ! am most needed. ! Will
work. will go up and down through the
State and help that great party which is doing
Gods will in establishing and promoting the
rights of all people.
rise to surrender my right to the seat In
Congress, which feel Is mine to-day, for Its
uneXpred term, to the Hon. j. b. Rainey, and
! ask this convention to nominate him to I'LL
it, so that the Forty-second Congress can have
no question as to whether your candidate can
be admitted.
Mr.. R. ]. Donaldson seconded the nomina-
ton, and Mr.. Rainey was unanimously nomi-
mated to fill the uneXpired term OF the Forty
first Congress, vacated by Mr. Whittem0re.
A committee was then appointed, consisting
of Messrs. Maxwell, Whittemore and another
Hayne OF Marion, to wait upon the nominee.
In few minutes they appeared accompanied
by the nominee. After the cheering subsidized,
Mr.. Rainey said, substantially:
iMr. President and Gentlemen-If there ever
was period in the history OF my life. when
have felt my inability, and been overwhelmed
with gratitude, ills on this occasion. cannot
see what claims one so unworthy as am could
have upon YOU. look around upon my body
and see no scars Of warrior-nO scars that
proclaim / have fought and returned home
with my brow crowned with laurels. When l
have no history to refer back to, but simply
that have been one Of you In the past, am
one of you now, and will be one Of you In the
future, / cannot see why you have so honored
me. know there are gentlemen In the first
Congressional District who are more worthy,
and who have done as much for the Republican
party as have. But you have selected me
one humblest in birth and humblest in capacity,
TO represent the interests Of the people. II
am sent lip to yonder capital, shall carry With
me those principles which have raised us up
and made us men indeed. l shall not forget
those principles, nor the men who have as
sisted in elevating us to the position Of men.
[Applause.]
1 have thought colored n.en ought TO 60 to
the United States Congress. While we have
large majorities in South Carolina, Republican,
ism does not thrive so well in other places. In
the great and wealthy North, col0red men
have no chance to be elevated 10 these high
positions. This is the reason I have said col
send white men, Democrats say all they want
is negro votes. We have had white men who
have stood faithfully by us: but when col
ored man goes, he can gain more attention for
cOlored constituents. The man who went to
Demosthenes was not at lrst noticed: but
when he plead so earnestly and teelingly he
was regarded. 1t is so when colored man
appeals for the interests Of colored men-he
will accomplish more. l believe if l get to
yonder Congress can vindicate your rights.
Simplicity NAV accompany my efforts; but
they will be earnest and felt. have been dis
posed TO shrink from such responsible posi-
tions, but have finally concluded to accept
this one, because leaders OF my party nave So
licited me to do so, not because Of antipathy 10
any others cherish no anJipathies. may
regret some things. l will know no enemies,
but will try 10 make every man my true friend.