The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-18
vote is secured, and then they lay him aside to

as tbey are: we pledge ourselves to do justice,
and If we say to the colored people you shall
participate in the offices and emoluments at
our disposal, as men OF honor I insist that II
shall be done, and that We We, snail not. IKE tnls
Imported crowd, say, ''The niger is good
enough to vote, but he is not good enough to
hold office" (Great applause
These are facts which this Republican ad-
ministration do not care to have ventilated.
They would keep them In the back ground, If
they could, and let no honest white man in
vestigate.
making nomination. Wait, and appeal to the
magnanimlty of these men !" Why, sir, you
misht as well appeal to highwayman not to
take YOUR purse. The present government
want ils to lie supinely on our backs while the
officers fll their pockets. They fear to have
us talk to the colored people, and would be
grateful If we would continue to stand aloof as
wears. For one, however, propose to step to
the front, and grapple with things as they are.
TAnnlause I To recognize them in all their
mower. and 10 regard the Fifteenth amend
ment as one of the accomplished facts Of the
age. [Applause.]
Look where we may, the tendency OF the
time is towards the enlargement OF popular
into Greatness under the magic power Of the
illustrlous Bismarck The French demand Re-
form. and the Emperor comedies 1t through
the medium of the PlebtScitunl. The people
of Great Britain demand Reform, and it is
granted BY that strong government. Spain is
emancipating her slaves, ana Russia ner serls.
Ali the civilized countries of the earth are en-
gagged in the same progressive movement, and
why should we in America lag behind In
the race Sir, it is in pursuance Of these great
demands of the hour that we concede what
has been embodied in this platform. If we
had no other reason, the motive of progress
alone would be sufficient excuse for the posi-
ton we take. [Applause.] The difference be,
tween the governments CT the Old World and
the New IS. that when Reform is demanded
there. statesmen are sasncious and yield to the
pressure. ut the same time that they preserve
the dignity and integrity of the government.
In America, however, we tear things up by
the roots. We endanger and imperil the ex-
istiug state of things, and turn the bottom up,
leaving the roots to expire In the sun.
Now, sir, all the Reform we urge Is In the
management OF the affairs of the State. 1t is
not question of politics, not question OF
power. but of truth, honor and virtue. And
go sincere am In this declaration that / here
publicly announce that If the Executive OF
South Carolina can satisfy me that the charges
made against him and his associates are
false, I will withdraw my opposition.
There is another point to which may al
lude In this connection. II has been the effort
of the Governor of South Carolina to FIX upon
the people of the State the stain which would
attach to an organized band Of Ku-klux, and
to prejudice the world against those over
whom he officially presides, betraylnS ma
lignant partisanship and recognizing no In
fluence, no demand save that which emanates
from those by whom he was elected to Office.
Mr.. President, you remember that in 1868
coored man, by the name OF B. F. Randolph,
,,.oe ,,,prdorod AhhpvilIp T,pp Nance was
also murdered in Newberry, and Martin In Alb
beville. What was the denouement The muir
derer of Randolph goes to the Executive OF
the State, with the blood upon his hands, and
acknowledged the deed. He was consigned 10
the penitentlary, but without trial or Judicial
investigation. Why was that? 1t was neces-
sary TO carry an election, and this man was
manipulateG to secure O confession which 1t
was supposed could be efectually used against
the people of the State. What followed? The
murderer was permitted to escape, and public
opinion believes, from all the circumstances,
that 1t was with official c0nnivance. He goes
at large, and finally returns to his home, where
he Is permitted to stalk abroad In dehance Oh
the law, until his mouth Is forever sealed oy
pistol shot discharged by one Of the represen-
tatives of the government. There was no IN
vestgatIon, and to-day the blood OF Randolph
stains the hands OF the Executive OF South
Carolina, and his spirit calls In tones OF ven
geance tor judicial redress.
Yet It has been found convenient for that
same public functIonary to charge this assas-
sination upon the Ku-Klux of the State. Is he
member of that organization If not, why
did he fail to bring the criminal to justice !?
Why was Talbert permitted to escape? Why
did he roam at large filed with secret OF
death and political machination until his own
life was suddenly brought to an end.
And with such circumstances staring us In
the face, we are asked to lie supinely on our
backs, and make no sign for relief Sir, be-
the people of South Carolina. We are bent on
Reform, and Reform we will have. lEnthuslas-
tic applause.
of dollars have been expended to buy homes
for the homeless. But the cry has risen, and
will continue to RISE louder and more powerful,
''Where are the homes they have purchased :.
For one want to see that law executed, but
executed in spirit Of fjlstice-eXecuted so That
poor colored men and white men throughout
the State may enjoy its benefits. which Is not
the case at the present time. We want the
truth In this matter; but the citizens of South
Carolina have been debarred from the enjoy
ment OF the privileges promised. They know
nothing Of The manner in which the money ap-
Dropriated has been expended, but they 90
know that if the records could De examined q
tale of corruption would be told that neither
mountains nor cavern could hide. [Applause. ]
7 must apologize for trespassinS so long
upon the time of the Convention. lCries OF
s.so on. go onn.l have only this to say IN
conclusion We may honestly differ as to the
policy which should be pursued In the present
contingency, but we have reported platform
and adopted party name. Now, what Will
be the effect of an adjournment without nomi-
nations? My own conviction Is, that, haVlnS
exhibited our earnestnesS and sincerity, nav
Ing demonstrated to the colored people that
rights II is our next duty to nominate candidates
for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, IN order
that we may have standard-bearers who VIII
personify the principles we have enunciated
nubl,sh them to the world. and be the stand
ard. bearers around whom the people can gath
er In their contest for the right. Applause ]
Let us then proceed to make these no. ll'na-
tIons as soon as the platform shall have been
adopted; and when that is done we will "hang
our banners on the outer walls" anu sound
those clarion notes which wall rally all who
love peace. prosperity, an honest government;
and desire the administration Of equal and
exact Justice to all men. (Great applause
We want the government in the hands OF a
man who will recognize his responsibility TO
the people-the source Of all power-and not
sit upon his throne issuing proclamations
which are but .;airy nothings." and consider
NOT the interests of the public. Let man oc-
cuny the nubernatorial chair Of South Carroll
ma who WIN say to all the people, hold the
agis which protects you; who will perform his
duty frarlcssly and faithfully; who will see that
the laws are executed and rights are pre-
served: and ! believe that we Shall sue
coed. have confidence in the good sense OF
tile masses, and when all the facts are set
inf iDl1 nl