The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-25

| Republican principles. LOW, tuen, can :" w
ter sustain the 'Reform" party-its nominee
and platform-and say his devotion = TO primer
piles precludes him from joining the Republican
party9 Before the Convention met many per-
sons objected to uniting with the Republican
party. because it involved an abandonment OF
political principle-Democratic or other. Such
as went into the Convention and such as now
sustain its action have broken down that bar
rier and can very quietly and very conscienti-
ously walk into the Republican ranks, especi-
ally as every one of the old ante-war issues be-
tween the Democratic and Republican party
have passed away or been settled.
If no substantial difference exists in the prin-
ciples of the Republican and Reform" parties,
how much more could have been accomplished
through the Republican organization at the DC
tober election to reform abuses than wili be ac-
complished by the reform" party! Suppose
one hundred of the most intelligent white citi-
zens in each county had gone in good faith and
with frank sincerity into the Republican organl-
zation. can it be doubted that their intelligence
and moral strength would have secured honest
| nominees? If members in the last Leglsla-
ture were corrupt, would not such an influence
have defeated their denomination? Who can
doubt it? This would have been effective and
practical reform, and it would have gone great
way to break down that dlstrust OF the coloreo
Republican felt towards the native white; dis
trust which was at first even natural, and which
was greatly increased in l86o-the h1st election
in which the whites participated after recon-
struction-when the black were attempted to be
persuaded to vote for a party whose avowed
principles looked to their disfranchisement
| Is it strange the colored Republican should
be cautious and adhere with pertinacity to his
party? Can we justly hope to exercise that po-
| fitical influence over him, which we now con-
stantlv do in all the other relations and duties
of life. until he is convinced that we intend i'll
good faith to protect him equally with the
whites, not only in his person and property,
but in all his civil and political rights?
If the whites of the State heretofore adher.-
ing to the Democratic party, have renounced
its principles and consented to vote for Re-
publican platform, why should they allow m mere
prejudice of party or name to keep them
aloof from an organization in which if they
enter they can justly claim and enjoy the con-
fidence of the colored man, and effect the re-
forms needed and elevate into the service OF
the State men of the highest intelligence and
virtue?
The nominee of the Republican party for
acknowledgements is q colored man. Does
not their number of voters entitle that race to
recognition in the official positions OF the State
when they present one qualified to fill the sta
ton he seeks? Is such nomination SO obnox-
ious as that the ticket should be rejected?
Was not the name of colored man presen-
ted to the "Refornl" Convention for Leuten-
ant-Governor, and did not leading white dele
gates of that Convention urge the nomination
of a colored man? And why was acolored man
not nominated? The proceedings of the Con-
vention show it was because the name was
withdrawn by colored man. -.
Nv conclusion, therefore, is that the intelll-
cence of the white race in this State can never
be made of any avail in influencing the man
agement of its governmental affairs until 1t Sc
cures the confidence, politically, of the colored
race.
That the colored race is devoted to the Re-
publican party unalrerably, and vii! continue
SO long as the organization exists, and that such
devotion is the natural and necessary result OF
its many kindnesses to them.
That the old issues between the Democratic
and Republican parties are settled or superse-
ded. Bank, tariff, internal improvements, &c,
are no longer living issues, and that utilization
with the Republican party on existing issues
involves no sacrifice of principle.
That if this question was doubtful before,
the platform and nominees of the late Ike
form" Convention removes every obstacle in
the way of those who were delegates and now
support its action in South Carolina.
That having practically adopted its prlnci-
ples wisdom admonishes, especially the white
race, to enter and affiliate with the Republican
party, acquire influence with its members, and
through them correct abuses and perfect re-
forms.
That the antagonistic position of the ere
form" party, not only to the alleged corrup-
tions and abuses of the Republicans, but to the
existence of the party itself, not only precludes
all hope of enlisting its members under their
banner. but forces them in their campaign to
look more to self preservation than to any cor
ruptions or mismanagement of its members,
and to that extent is serious injury to the
State
That. Notwithstanding the fact that just cause
of complaint may exist against the Republican
party for sins of omission and commission, they
have done much to ameliorate the condition of
the aohite people of the State; ameliorations
which the Legislature of the State, in 1865 and
and 66, refused to grant. That party has Sc
cured a homestead to the head OF every family.
Thousands of women and children in this State
would have been houseless and dhomeless-naked
and starved, but for the benefcent provisions of
the homestead enactment. Every voter thus
protected should remember when he comes to
cast his vote who furnishes q shelter in sum
shine and storm over the head of his wife and
children, despite the stale claims of heartless
creditors.
That the same party has protected all debtors,
in their Constitution, from paying debts con-
tracted for slave property.
That the same party has been equal to the
humane progress of the age in abolishing i'm
prisonment for debt. That this same party,
whatever may have been its extravaganza or
improvidence, has raised the market value of
the bonds of the State from 26 cents in January,
1868, to about 80 cents at the present time.
If good and true men consent to accept the
Reconstruction Acts of Congress and the legis-
lation, Federal and State, necessarily growing
out of them if they will accept the new con-
dtions surrounding us; if they will affiliate
with the Republican organization, especially in