The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-07-07

to support and educate his family; but now b
dares not dig pound ever if it is before his
own door, and because the Legislature of this
State have given monopoly Of the phosphate
beds to corporation for which gift they have
received 900 to line their own. pockets, and
they will let the poor man go to the devil. Zap
plause.] And SO, gentlemen, it will ever be
with them and the oolored citizens OF this
State. They are willing to keep up the preju-
dice between the two races until they have ac-
complshed their purpose, and then they don't
care what becomes of those upon whose votes
they have ridden into power. [Applause.l
Mr. President, these men are at work. They
have nice plan upon which they are opera
ting. They are already sending out men into
every county, who are lnstilling into the minds
OF the people the idea that this Convention IL
only an artful scheme to carry our race back
into bondage. They say to the people that.
Notwithstanding the Fifteenth amendment. ir
the ballot from them. The idea is preposter-
GUS. The Reform party could not. il they
would, and they would not il they could. APP
plause.l This is sort of flank movement
they are attempting, because they are afraid
to approach squarely in front. 10 meet this,
committees should be appointed in every
county TO speak to the colored people, to rea-
son with them, and teach them to distinguish
between their friends and their foes, who are
disgracmg the name OF Republican. These
men care nothing for the colored people of
this State, except to make what they can ont
of them. [Appause.l You should remind thu
people that they were cheated at the last State
election. Remind them OF the land and the
mules and the horses which were promised
them. [Applause and iaughter.l How in-
geniously they dnped our poor ignorant people
in the country who came out to q man and
worked with all their hearts ard souls to se-
cure the success OF these adventurersI They
promised 80 many acres OF land, and yet not a
colored man has received al acrel They
yet not mule nor bnshel OF corn or pound
OF bacon has been received by colored man
who voted for theml But these men got their
places, got their salaries, got their bribes and
mea who had not dollar when they arrived
are sporting fast horses, riding in splendid
carriages, living in fine houses in grand style,
while the poor are many OF them without
j want you to tell your friends over the whole
length and breadth of South Carolina, that
this Convention has been held for the purpose
OF uniting all the friends of good government
in al effort to save the old ship Of State which,
under it's present hands, seems likely TO be
wrecked. prolonged applause.]
Colonel ]. P. Thomas of Ricnland, in sup-
port OF the report OF the committee, said:
REMARKS OF COLONEL THOMAS.
L
as member of this Convention, and as white
man OF South Carolina, and having a full! sense
OF my responsibility before the God Of Truth,
to express my earnest and hearty appreciation
of the admirable sentiments which have just
fallen from the lips of the delegate from
Charleston [Mr. Byrd.1 I an. free to say, sir,
that the sentiments which he has uttered
would do honor as the utterances of any III
ofany race, in any country, and at any time
[Applause.1
SIR. this Reform movement, in its inception.
dId not meet with the approval of my judg-
ment, and 1t was because had become, 30 lar
as our co.orcd citizens were concerned,
appeal after appeal to them, 1T is true, upon
less high grounds than those upon which
now stand. and my appeals have been treated,
with but q few exceptions, as the idle wind
whlch is regarded not. And feeling. sir, that
sentiment which is luborn in the breast OF
every men, it seemed consistent with my prin-
cipies, my sentiments and my dignity 10 close
the argument, so far as the colorel man was
concerned. but. sir, am free this day, and
in al! candor, TO declare that recede from that
proposition. (Applause.l believe, before
High Heaven, that in this canvass We can use
the element of truth and 60 forth conquerlDg
and to conquer; that the colored man and white
man, seizng with muscular hands the banner
OF Reform, have 1t within their power to plant
It on the very citadel of our conquerors. Jap
plause Sir, can very we'll conceive that the
blessings OF Heaven itself may have rested
upon the inception OF this movement. Indulg
ing somewhat in the imagination, may sug.
gest that the genius OF Charity, the genius OF
Harmony, and the genius OF Patriotism, met
together for high converse and noble counsela.
and that under the influence OF that Heaven
born spirit, 1t occurred to them, iG behalf OF
Carolina, and of truth, to lnaugurate just such
movement as We have this day inaug ugurated-
[applause land as honestly suppose. inau-
gurated it upon the basis OF truth, which in
the end viii give it the anlplest success.
Sir, as I interpret this movement, 1t 10
movement in behalf of South Carolina. and for
her prosperity. Throwing aside the prejudice
OF color and of race -shr owing aside the stan
dards OF paEty-it becomes us, on this occa-
sion, to lift ourselves to the heights ofgenerotls
patriotism, and, with one mind and with one
soul, and with ranks closed and banners flying,
10 move on to tho rescue and redemption or
the Palmetto State. (kpplause.7
Mr. President, will say to you that with The
amendment proposed by the honorable MEM
ber OF tho committee General Kershaw] cor
daily endorse the proposition contained in the
platform they have reported, and IN making
that endorsement l contend that sink no
principle, that violate no sentiment which l
Shall maintain in the future. as l have IN the
past, as being essential, in my judsmentstL
the permanent interests OF good government.
That platform has my hearty concurrence, and
loon nv personal honor, and with my respon-
slbility, before Heaven, l declare my purpose
and firm resolve, in good faith to stand byit
through evil report and good report, and nn-
der all circumstances to make good the noble
eulogy OF the colored delegate from Charles
ton. who last spoke. loud applause.l Sir,
in the past the honor OF q South Carolina gen
tleman has been like the honor Of Bayard,
whether he were rich or poor. When the true
men OF South Carolina. from whatever walks OF
life they come whether native OF foreign born.
when they meet and send forth pledges in be-
half Of South Carolina. I give my word, sir.
that those pledges will be redeemed. IAE-
plause.l Sir, the great movement in which
we are engaged rises above the level OF party
to the dignity Of great patriotic work, end in
that spirit ne have undertaken it. In that
spirit let us press it and carry it on to its
glorious logical consnmmation. profess TO
deal with this question fairly, honestly and
conscientiously; and do arraign the present
regime. We do not demand that the Govern
ment ofSouth Carolina should bea white mans
government; we do not desire that it shall be q
black mans government, but We want 1t as the
government OF the whole people, TO promote
the prosperity of our common country. APP
planse.l would not have partial Executive,
even if lts partiality were extended to me. L
would have our Executive plant himself IN the
Executive chair in the same spirit that ludge
takes his seat in that august tribunal, and.
with his eyes blinded. discharge the dutles OF
his high office. (Applause:l Tnat is all We