The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-18
The Press Conference.

South Carolina was held, as appointed, in
Columbia on Wednesday last The attend
ance was unexpectedly large and influential,
ond the feelings and interests of well-nish
every county in the State were represented
with candor and with truth. There was no
disposition on the part of any member OF the
Conference to withhold any information
which might properly influence it's delibera-
tions, and we are gratifed to be able to state
that the whole discussion was marked by
singular discretion, frankness and good
sense. The result of the Conference was the
introduction OF the following resolutions,
which were carried without o dissenting
voice:
l. Resolved, That this Conference recog-
nizes the legal right of all of the citizens of the
State, irrespective Of color, to suffrage.
2. ReSolued That this Conference recog-
nizes the legal right of all of the citizens of the
State, irrespective of color or previous con-
dition, to officc-sub]ect alone to personal
qualification and fitness.
g. Resolved, That in the Judgment of this
Conference, convention of the people of the
State, opposed to Radcalism and in favor Of
good and honest government, should be held
in the City of Columbia, at some convenient
time, for the purpose of nominating State
ticket, which, while assuring equal and exact
justice to all, will afford some degree of securi-
ty, prosperity and good government.
4. RESOLVED, That this Conference respect
fully suggests to the people of the State
Wednesday, the 18th June ensuing, as suit
able time for holding said convention.
These resolutions embody the views and
opinions OF the members OF the Anti-Radical
press who met in council al the capital OF
the State. 1t may be said that the right OF
the colored man to vote is fixed and settled
and that the right of suffrage carries with it
the privilege Of holding office. These are,
we admit, stubborn facts, but they are now
for the first time recognized and affirmed in
their full force, by any Anti-Radical associa-
ton. Nor do the resolutions con6ne them
selves to an empty acknowledgment of o
patent truth. They go further. From their
first word to their last, they take the broad
ground that the coming contest has no con-
nection with National politics or National
political parties, but is one in which all
CITIZENS shall work and toll together to Sc
cure capable, honest and respectable gov
ernment for them and for their children. No
distinction is made OF class, OF color, or OF
past political action. The equal rights OF
all citizens are freely admitted, and when
the proper time comes, it will be seen that
this is no barren pledge, but means that
every class and every color Shall have its
fair and honest representation in the admin
istration of the affairs OF the State. Hon
EsrY, INTELLIGENCE AND EQUAL RIGHTS
these are the recommendations Of the Press
Conference, as they are the principles OF the
great CITIZENS PARTY, as enunciated again
and again in the columns of this paper.
With these principles as our rallying points,
and appealing in common cause to the
sense and decency Of the whole State, we
must, and shall, succeed in obtaining gov
ernment under which the people OF South
Carolina may become, and remain, happy,
prosperous and free