The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-07

and reform. [Cheers.] The gentlemen Sc
lected as our candidates possess ability and
sterling integrity OF character. Though the
distinguished gentleman who is our standard
bearer may have fought during tne war upon
the other side, yet he bore himself like an hon
orable soldier, and when he comes to make
common cause with us as an honest man, ex-
tend the right hand of fellowship, and ask
you, the citizens of Edgefeld, to do the same.
Tremendous cheering We want men of
that sort. We don't care where they fought
[Applause.]
go to the North for the purpose of inducing
Certain persons to invest in this section of the
country, and especially In Edgefeld, along
the line of the Columbia and Augusta Rail.
road i said to them, here ts beautiful
region, which in time is destined to become
the garden spot of this continent Oar lands
are worth so and so, and when change takes
place IN the present administration OF affairs,
they will appreciate one, two and three hum
dred Der cent. What was the answer We
know all that you have told US, and it is our
desire to invest our money there; but with
your system of enormous taxation, your reck-
less and corrupt government, capital is too
timid to make the venture, and we prefer 10
walt. Such is the story yon will hear IN every
financial market OF the North. 1t is the reason
Why we are not prosperous. 1t Is the reason
labOrers do not own more Of the land; why
our people are depressed.
FelloW-citizens, does not this condition OF
affairs call for effort? / am one Of those
who have been respondent, but l see the
new day dawnng. [Great applause am
as much stickler for what is called principle
as ANYBODY, but in the present instance feel
that do not surrender one lots. of principle In
supporting either our platform or our candl-
date. TCheers.] The Fifteenth amendment is
a part OF the constitution. We cannot get over
it. 1t is the law of the land, which, as honest
citizens, and as soldiers who swore TO obey the
laws. we must recognize, and, If necessary. de-
fend. TApplause.] The only question, then,
for us to consider Is, whether we shall quietly
sit down and allow ourselves to be plundered
for another two years. In eighteen months
there has been an addition to our debt Of near
ly eight millions of dollars, and In Gods name
/ ask YOU to stop it If you can. 1t Is In your
power. 1t only requires work, co-operatlon,
earnestness, a determination to win, and my
word for it, If you employ these agencies with
the enthusiasm which you have manifested on
this Occasion. old Edgefeld will roll up q ma
iority in October next that will help to set us
free. Enthusiastic cheering.]
REMARKS OF W. T. GARY, ESQ.
W.T.. Gary, ESQ.,, member OF the Edgefeld
bar, now being loudly called for, addressed the
meeting:
He said he desired to call attention to but
one point, namely, that the opposition were
seeking to imprese upon the minds OF the COL
ored people the idea that this was not only not
an honest movement, but that If 1t succeeded
they would all be put back in slavery. The
answer (said Mt. Gary).is o brief but compre.
henslve one. If the people OF the South couid
not, with all Tie means ut their command,
keep the colored man In slavery, what earthly
mower now can put him. back 1t does not
exist in Christendom. and those who say TO
the contrary only testify that they are using
the ignorance Of the colored man TO further
their own ambitious designs. e
The speaker proceeded to show how local
funds had been misused; how colored Jurors
had been deprived of their money; how the In
cnmbents OF offices were collecting from the
poor toiler, fees and contributions that were
expended for private purposes; how they were
swindling and deluding these people under the
plea of party necessity or patriotic use. In con-
cluslon, he remarked: VI Will not undertake
to address the gray headed men OF Edgehe!d
who sit before me in behalf OF your true anu
trusted leaders, but to the young men say,
YOU can well afford to follow in the footsteps
of those who were always at the 'front.' You
have learned TO confde in their Judgment and
their honor, and for one, whatever kershaW
and Butler may advise, and Bonham may ap-
prove, am prepared to adopt as my line OF
action, because 1t emanates from those who,
in time to come, will be regarded as the Bay
ards of South Carolina" lGreat applause.
REMARKS OF HON. LEROY F. YoUMANs.
This gentleman was now called upon to ad-
dress the meeting. and did so in the following
language:
FsUo1-citisens present condition of af-
fairs deserves the grayest consideration.
Many and most of the issues which have divi-
ded this country are, to a certain extent, set
tied. The war and the questions Involved In
it are over The banner which waved over
Stonewall Jackson and the cause which gilt
tered from the swords of reckless riders has
been nut away as men do the memorials OF
dear dead love. The sequel proved that we
challenged fate day too soon. We played
for enormous stakes and we lost the game. In
nv Judgment, we stand upon the threshold OF
a vast future that has grown out OF that bloody
ordeal. Before us there looms up prospect
which hitherto never opened TO our vision,
and it depends upon rs and our actions what
the compleXion of that future shall be.
Amid the new issues that have risen from
the debris of the great parties lch have hith-
erto controlled the destnies OF the American
people, there looms up before us OF South
Carolina, question in which we are obliged
Republic that whether man was ambitious or
not, whether he solicited the suffrages OF the
people, or with aristocratic haeHeur repelled
Them, on all great questions he should vote.
And In the issue now pending, between hon
esty and dishonesty, between frugallty and
corruption, say there should likewise be a
moral compulsion exercised by the people OF
the State, that will force every man 10 take q
position and show his hand.
Tha ic n sentiments
of every man should be written upon his brow.
The Union Reform movement may be wise,
or it may be unwise. 1t may lead to prosper-
ty or adversely 1t may carry lis along with
fayoring gales or disastrous blasts. These are
all matters tor our consideration. But | tell
YOU that O cause which Hampton approves;
which Joe Kershaw helped to initiate, and to
which Milledge Bonham gives MS sanction,
and Colonel Butler his whole heart, lead where
It NAV, will. never lead to dishonor. I'M
mense cheering.]
Whatever has been the fate of South Caro-
lima up to the present period-however wise
or unwise may have been the counsels OF her
statesmen, they never yet have stopped so low
as to pilfer her treasury or her people. From
the time when John Rutledgc, "the great die
tator," was clothed with the powers OF Gov,
ernor, down to the darkest days OF the late
struggle the robes of that Office never enfOld-
ed man who gave to the State aught but
counsels of honor, honesty and fairness. lap
plause. What Governor Of South Carolina,
until the present administration, ever made
any money ont OF his office? What man Is
there who did not leave it poorer than when
he entered upon its duties? What public man
in South Carolina, until the last administration,
was ever accused Of plunderng the public
alien importation. 1t don't belong to lis, and
honl, and white yn,,nr and old feeble and