Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1870-08-26

publican party acquire fair aud legitimate
influence aid in selecting tho most compc-
tent and deserving men for official positions
in the Republican ranks and when confidence
has been attained by good faith and sinccri
ty, then the highest intelligence and virtue
will be nvoked by the Republican Convention
Tor services in the Offices cf trust and rcspop
sibilty.
The greatest obstacle in accepting this su.
gcstion by many conscientious men who have
heretofore belonged to Democratic and other
organizations was removed by the nomina
tons aud platform of the late Reform
Convention. The distinguished nominee Of
that convention for Governor is Ncpubli
can his associate for Lieutenant Governor,
noloss distinguished. was formcr!ya Democrat.
The convention was composed mainly of gen.
tlemcn who formerly belonged to the Demo,
cratic party. The platIorm adopted, in its cs-
sential feature, was Republican, it itacccptcd
and proposed to sustain the fifteenth constitu.
tlonaI amendment, and made no political is.
sue with the Republican party except reform.
10 vote for either of the nominees for Gov.
crnor is to vote for Republican; to sustain
either of the platforms is to sustain the lead.
ing features of Republican principles. How,
then, can Il voter sustain the Reform party
its nominee and platforn--and say his devo
ton to principle prccludcs him from joining
the Republican party?
before the convention met, many persons
objected to uniting with the Republican par.
ty, because it involved an abandonment of
political ciplc-Dcmocratic or other
Such as went into the convention, aud such
as now sustain its action, have broken down
that barrier, and can very quietly and very
conscicntious!y walk INTO the Republican
ranks especially as every one of the old
anti war issues between the Democratic and
Republican parties have passed away or been
settled
AS no substantial difference exists in the
principles of the Republican and Rcform par
ties, how much more could have been accom-
plished through tho Republican organization,
at the October election, to reform abuses,
than will be accomplished by the Refron,
party Suppose 100 of the most Intelligent
SJ1d wdo t sItfeHs ana u fre f1petH hn t5 Tie e
Republican organization. Can it bc doubted
that their Intelligence and moral strength
would have secured honest nominees? if
members in the last Legislature were corrupt,
would not such an influence iavo defeated
their re nomination Who can doubt it?
This would have been effective and practical
reform, and it would have gone great way
to break down that distrust of the colored Re.
publican felt towards the native whitc-a dis
trust which was, at first, even natural, and
which was greatly increased in 1868, (thc
| first election in which the whites participated
after rcconstruction,) when the blacks were
attempted to be persuaded to vote for party
whose avowcd principles looked to their dis
! franchscmcnt.
Is it strange that the colorcd Republican
should be cautious, and adhere with pertinacy
to his party? Can we justly hope to exercise
that political influence over him which VIC
now constantly do in all the other relations
and duties of life, until he is convinced that
We intend in good faith to protect him equally
with the whites n6t only in his personal prop
crty, but in all his civil and political rights
If the whites of the State heretofore I'D
herring to the Democratic party have rcnoun-
ccd it's principles and consented to vote for Al
Republican for Governor, aud for Rcputli.
cun platform, why should they allow mere
prejudice of party or name to keep them
aloof from an organization in which, il they
enter, they can justly claim and enjoy the
confidence of the colurcd man and effect the
reforms needed, and elevate Into the service
of the State men of the highest Intelligence
and virtue
The nominee Of the Republican party ftl
! Lieutenant Governor is coorcd man. Does
not their number of voters cntitc that race
to recognition in the official positions Of the
State, when they present a nan qualified tc
fiji the position he seeks? Is such homna
ton so obnoxious MS that the ticket should
be rejected Vas not the nane IF coored
man presented to the Reform Convention fol
Lieutenant; Governor and did not leading
white delegates of that convention urge Che
nomination Of colored man? Aud why
was a coorcd man not nominated The pro
cccdings Of the convention show that it was
because the name was withdrawn by color
ed man. My conclusion, therefore, is that
the intelligence of tho white race in the State
can mover be made of any avail in Influencing
the management Of its go, ernmental affairs
until it secures the confidence, politically, o
the colorcd race. That the colored racc is
devoted to the Republican party unalterably
and will continue so as long as tho organiza
ton exists, and that such devotion is the ma
tural and necessary result Of many kindncsses
to them That the old issues between tn.
!, Democratic and Republican parties are settlcG
or snpcrsedcd bank, tariff, internal improve
mcnt, 60, are no longer living issues, anc
that affilintion with the Republican party or
, existing issues involves no sacrifice Of princi
} pies.
That if this great question was doubtful
before, the platform and nominees of tho late
Reform Convention removes every obstacle
: in the way of those who we're dsle1ates anC