The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-07-07
THE CAMPAIGN OPENED.
Fifteenth Amendment Celebration in Edgefeld.

The campaign opened at Edgefeld in regu-
lar style, on Saturday last. The chief object
of the occasion was to celebrate, i'll suitable
manner, the adoption of the Fifteenth Amend
ment but the announcement that Hon. r. b.
CARPENTER, the gubernatorial candidate of
the Union Reform party, and Gen. NJ. G.
BUTLER, the nominee for Lieutenant Governor,
would address the meeting, lent additional in
terest to the occasion, and attracted an i'm
mense crowd of citizens, white and colored.
1t is estimated that four thousand persons were
present. The Charleston News of Monday
contains lengthy account of the proceedings,
from its special correspondent, but want of
space prevents a Republication of the entire
letter, which is interesting and graphic in de-
scribing events of the day. 1t was at first
thought that the Radicals would deny Messrs.
CARPENTER and BUTLER the privilege of re-
plying to their speakers, but the colored men
insisted that the courtesy of hearing should
be extended to the candidates, and the white
leaders yielded so far as to limit the Reform
speakers to half an hour each. The utmost
good feeling prevailed among the hearers
throughout the day, and the hungry thousands
made way with the barbecued dinner, when
the speaking was concluded, in a short, sharp
and decisive manner. We quote from the cor
respondence of the Neacs:
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. P A.
| Einh o1harror tho pnrOnor Of thn county who
introduced as the first speaker, according to the
programme adopted Rev. B. F. Jackson, a
member of the Legislature.
Mr.. Jackson in the main, avoided the dis
cussion of the politics of the day, temperately
confning himself to review of the history OF
the Republican movement, and consideration
of its results as they are embodied in the Fif-
teenth Amendment. Chief among these bless
ings, he said, was the establishment of gov
ernment in which all people, irrespective of
race, condition Or color, had voice and vote,
and it was a government which commended
itself to the support of every true man. For
those who were to follow him, who had hereto
fore stood OH the other side, he asked courte-
Gus and respectful hearing, without prejudice.
He believed in the utterance and the influence
of TRUTH and he desired that truth to be weigh
ed in the light of present events.
The remarks of Mr.. Jackson evidently struck
the keynote of sympathy which was prevailing
in the audience, and they were well received.
Mr.. P. A. Eichelbergcr then introduced Maj
John E. Bacon, of Edgefeld, taking occasion
to say that he was "a Democrat" empha-
sizing the epithet in horrid sort of way, as if
he thought it was synonymous with the iniqui-
ty which is supposed to attach to his Satanic
majesty.
Major Bacon said that the remarks of the
preceding speaker (Rev. Mr.. Jackson) met with
his hearty approval. 1t was immaterial to him
whether man was born in Massachusetts, or
South Carolina, when, in the language of pa
triotism, he stood before the public and uttered
sentiments to which every true citizen of the
country could say "Amen"
There could be no difference of opinion on
this subject, for his heart and the heart OF his
people now beat as loyal to the flag of the
Union as it did ten years ago. He would not
undertake to discuss the questions of right or
enough" said Mr.. Bacon, chat the God Of
battles was against US, and when that decision
was made, we gave you our pledge that the
Union was ours, if you would allow us to come
back to YOU In that resolve we have been
honest What said in 1865, repeat to-day,
namely, that the United States Government
had made lis all equal, without reference to
race, condition or color, and while we live IN
this country we are bound to obey its laws"
1t was in this spirit that he could congratu-
late his audience upon those blessings which
had been secured to them by the Fifteenth
Amendment. Progress was the watchword Of
the civilized world. When in Russia, he had
witnessed its results there in the general eman-
cipation of the scrfs. In Germany, the great
Bismarck had likewise introduced reforms in
France, the Emperor had yielded to the be-
hests of the people; while England had even
anticipated their demands. The spirit of the
age was moving, and so far as principle was
concerned, Governor Scott was no more Radical
than himself. The reason was apparent. 1t
was because whether we will or not, we are
pledged as citizens to obey the laws OF the
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 admin
istration of the government on this basis. For
himself, he would enlarge the opportunities of
the colored man for self improvement. Taxes
on the products of the soil should be reduced
educational facilities should be enlarged, and
every means at the command of the State en-
ployed to advance the interests of race iden-
tilted by birth and association with the best in
terests of the State.
The remarks of Judge Bacon were received
with applause. He was followed by Hon. S.
L. Hoge, NJ. G. Mr.. Hoge, after congratula-
ting the audience that they were assembled not
as white or black men, but as American citi-
zens, urged his hearers not to forget those who,
from 1861 to 1865, had stood by the "old flag"
He likewise expressed his satisfaction with the
earnest words of the preceding speaker, who
once Democrat, now acknowledged the Fif-
teenth Amendment as the law of the land
Speaking of carpet-baggers, he said he was one
of those who came into the State with his uni
form of blue, and congratulated the Union Re
form party (which he persste9nty styled ed Dem lSn
leader who like himself, had served in the
Federal army. 1t was sign of progress and
improvement. His idea of Reform was to get
the thieves out of his own party bY the en-