The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-04

IA.
country, and to accord to the colored man the
equal and exact justice which is his right. He
desired to see the benefits of an honest adj
ministration Of the government on this basis.
For himself, he would enlarge the opportuni-
| ties of the colored man for self improve
ment. Taxes on the products of the soil
should be reduced, educational facilities should
be enlarged, and every means at the command
| OF the State employed to advance the interests
of a race identified by birth and association
with the best interests of the State.
The remarks of Judge Bacon were received
with applause. He was followed by
HON. S. L. EoGE, N. C.
Mr.. Hoge, after congratulating the audience
that they were assembled not as white or black
men,. but as American citizens, urged his
hearers not to forget those who, from 1861 to
1866, had stood by the s'old flag" He, like
wise expressed his satisfaction with the earnest
words of the preceding speaker, who, once a
Democrat, now acknowledged the Fifteenth
amendment as the law Of the land. Speaking
of carpet-baggers, ne said he was one of those
who came into the State with his uniform Of
blue, and congratulated the Union Reform
party (Which he persistently styled Demo-
cratic upon the choice Of man for their
leader who, ike himself, had served in the
Federal army. 1t was sign of progress and
uto Of q
to get the thieves out OF his own
party by the employment Of the machinery
Of the party itself and not to employ
another organization for the purpose. Honest
men could be found, and it was the duty OF
the Republican party to elect them to fill the
places of the rogues. 1t was all important
that the Republicans should continue to stand
by those who had fought the battles Of free
dom, and not seek aid from the Reformers.
He denied that the offices had not been fairly
distributed, and cited the fact that two-thirds
Of the Legislature were colored men; three OF
the principal postmasters in his Congressional
district were colored, and one of his ap-
pointees to West Point was colored boy. He
then proceeded to open battery on General
Butler, and discuss sundry events in his Ca
reer.
In reply, Gen. Butler said he was present not
as Democrat, not as Radical, but as citizen
Of South Carolina, standing upon broad
platform which challenged the scrutiny OF
every lover of his country. And he thanked
God that an opportunity had at last been at.
forded him of paying his respects to Mr.. Con-
gressmen Hoge. Thereupon the general pro-
ceeded to apply the scalpel, skilfully laying of
the epidermis Of the gentleman aforesaid, un-
til he stood bare and exposed to the good
natured crowd. He wanted to know what he
was doing away from his post OF duty, draw
ing his salary from people he did not serve,
while Congress was in session. He charged
him with having appointed blind colored boy
10 the academy at West Point, because he
knew he would be rejected. Finally, he ar
raigned Mr.. Hoge on the charge Of having
s,id, in 1865, that he wished he had all the
niggers in South Carolina in ten acre lot, and
a couple of howitzers with which to blow them
into very wicked place.
(. It is needless to say that this announcement
produced singular expression upon the faces
OF the multitude, or that there was an enlarge
ment of eyes, and solemn dropping of sundry
lower jaws.
In conclusion, General Butler said he re-
iolced that the colored man had been set free,
and in taking the position upon the platform
adopted BY the Columbia Convention, he did
so because he believed the Fifteenth amend
ment to be the climax of reconstruction
measure calculated to set at rest forever the
question OF suffrage. And ii the Republican
party would exclude from its councils such
flrebrands and fire-eaters as the gentleman
who had just spoken, peace and harmony
would prevail everywhere. Let him go home
to his own State Of Ohio, and there administer
his rebukes because the people refuse to do
Justice to the colored race. He would find
sufficient employment for his energy in such a
purpose, and we could then Judge of his faith
by his works. AS regards the present pollti-
cal movement, it could not be complained Of
by any right thinking man. 1t meant On hon
est administration of Justice. 1t meant obedi-
ence to the law of the land, and that the dead
past should bury its dead.
Mr.. Hoge denied the allegations made con-
cerning the ten acre lot business.
Mr.. r. B. Elliott, Assistant Adjutant-
General of the State, followed, and made
calm, dignifed and excellent speech,
in which he announced himself as a
candidate for nomination as member oil
Congress from this Congressional district.
His remarks were long, but listened to with
attention, and frequently interrupted with ap-
plause, especially when in his strong, peculiar
way, the speaker emphasized the idea that
there must be reform in the administration of
the affairs of the government, and a general
turning-out of those who have plundered the
State. He deprecated strife + the approach
iDg political contest, and hoped that the spirit
manifested IN the present occasion would be
exhibited elsewhere. In conclusion, while
concedlng the honesty and purity Of the mo-
tives and character of the leaders Of the Re
form party, he urged his friends, and his race
especially, to stand by the cause of Republi-
canism as they had known 1t in the past.
Hon. R. B. Carpenter was then introduced
by Mr. Elchelberger as "a Democrat, and the
candidate Of the Union Reform party
Judge c. said he did not come here to dis
cuss political questions, but rather to join in
the celebration of that event which had legally
secured to the coored race the blessings Of
civil and political liberty-the Fifteenth amend