The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-07-06

Ws aa., .h.. s. or no of ou,
Journal: j. ,S,. =: aes a S(es i.srs insist upon
they hold ths) iEM MhetlSr to cit still tbep
- p,sss tho hespk tho Union Reform
I noysrneot. {6kSS deem great mis-
sai We hoi tb bme mode of op,
pa loo to the presy6 lsorrupt and ruin
ousss2fme was demanded, and now that
the Upion Reform weapon ba, been
adopted let it be welded boldly; active.
ly and ssgaciously. It is a weapon of
truth, and let its keen edge strike to
the very roots Of our evils. The platform,
adopted blythe recent Convensios has
been sharply assailed. We deny that it
is liablc to the objections made. It IL
broad and liberal, but it is not true that
1t makes any sacrifice Of honor or prin.
cip!!c. 10 recognize aud agree to treat
as law pre.existent enactments, involves
no recognition whatever of the means
adopted to secure these enactments,
nor does it involve any opinion of their
abstract character. Nor is it at all in
consistent with what is due to the whites
OF South Caroliua to conccde to the
colored man his equitable share in a
common government. South Carolina
is inhabited by two peoples-each in a
state OF freedom-so called. The ques-
tion is not whether We would have it
SO or otherwise, but the question is,
this being the state Of things, what is
best TO be done ? We deem it best to
recognize things as we find them. We
believe 1t best to seize the abnormal in
srder to bring about the normal. If the
pyramid stands upon the apex lot US step
forth and by fair moaus place it upon
its base. Things arc not to be rishted
by holding a!oot and crying that they
are wrong. This plan has already been
FULLY tried in South Carolina, and in our
present condition We may sec til G result.
BUTT is contcnded that We must hold
out to the bitter end agaiut negro suf-
tragc, for this leads to social EQUALITY
and nongreliza,ion Now, this propo-
sition is, in our judgement, a mere as
sumption. We have moro faith in the
white people OF South Carolina than to
anticipate any such results. Universal
suffrage has, in our judgement, been
made by wrongful and unconstitutional
legislation the law of the land. But it
IL the law Of the land. A "vcri,y" it
may not be, but au accomplished fact"
1t certainly is. 1t is upon US. Let us
make tho most it. lfit should ulti-
mately, by mems Of representative .fe.
torms," work well, all will say let sit
stand; lit shall work badly, then thu
remedy will be applied aud the problciS
soivea. In the meantinec: whilst the
exPenmentis is going on, soI9mon" sense
and ordinary prudence wltEhia us save
ourselves as much as possie1om DOS.
sible harm. If the stream surged
over its embankments, let us seek to di.
rect its course. Nor need any man of
"l'ttle faith" imagine that this movo.
ment w1li leave us mot only defeated,
out what is worse, degraded and dishon.
ored." There is no degradation ana
dishonor ~ the reform movement. There
are menIcShnected with it who could
not lend themselves to aught that in
wolves these consequences. Rather is it
. a matter Of rcproach that there arc in
South Carolina men indisposed to make
an effort to redeem the fortunes of the
State.
We observe that writer in the Sum-
ter !Pafchn,on assafis the language and
sentiments of certain gentlemen, who
spoke in the recent Convention. We
might resent, with indignant feelings,
the suggestion offered, that these men
are not fully alive to the honor and good
name of South Carolina. But no vim
dication is needed. We have no such
fears as this correspondent expresses.
The white race in South Carolina must,
at no distant day, control.thc State com.
plctely. Our civilization, our tone, our
pollty n,ust, should, and seiW DC that of
the white race: Nothing can long
contravcne this; for Caucasian surre
macy is Of Gods ordination. But the
white man is strong enough to be Just
and liberal. We have all abiding faith
in the God established superiority of
the white race. But we would not pre-.
sumo upon this; We would not legislate
upon this. We feel bound not to deny
TO tho colored race the opportunity for
the fullest development Of their capaci-
ties. We must give to this race
showing, on just and equitable grounds,
and whilst VIC do maintain the superb
ority of the Caucasian, rs a race, over
all other races that inhabit Gods earth,
we are willing to meet all other races
upon fair terms, and to establish our
domination, not by physical force and
unequal legislation, but by superior in
tellect, virtue, and Genius. We say,
then, that it is good policy to carry out,
in good faith, the reform movement.
The effort, if properly made, will be
crowned with success. If it shall fail,
even in that event will much good re-
suit, for the white race OF South Caro-
lima will stand upon high grounds, and
their moderation having been known Of
all men, they will be disposed thereafter,
with their own stroDg right arm, to Sc.
cure the reforms that good government
demands. For, let it be known, that
with or without the colprcd man, we
expect at an carly day to have, in Sou;li
(lrUiiEN n Government TINT wi oot ho