The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-04-21
The Colored Yote...6ur True Policy.

The ColOred Yote...0ur True Policy.
If any man imagines that the colored vote o1
this State is to be diverted from the radical
party in the next election in this State, then,
in our judgment, he deceives himself We re.
gard it our duty to speak candidly. Weintend
neither to deceive our friends nor ourselves.
We regard it the highest policy to look mat
ters squarely in the face and then to do what is
best under all the circumstances of the caae.
We have accepted the declaration of the press
conference as due to our recognition of accom-
plished facts, but not expecting said declara-
tion to have any influence upon the colored
voters of the State. In our judgment the
great mass of the colored voters will vote for
the regular nominees of the radical party, in
convention assembled. The sooner Democrats
and anti-radicalists understand this, the better
for the cause of those arrayed against the radi-
cal regime of the State.
We have expressed our disposition as Dem
ocratic journal, to engage in general anti
radical rally. But, it is due to ourselves TO
say, that we regard the "CstisenS Party' for
nation as grand mistake. Upon the basis of
Democratic platform-upo the basis of a
vital and progressive Democracy-we believe
that the opposition to radicalism ought to be
organized. This, it is true, would not give lis
the State on the general ticket, but it could
give us Democratic representatives from IL, IL,
IA or Is Counties. Failing to carry the entire
State, as we must fail, the next best step is to
put in the Legislature band of able, earnest
and devoted Carolinians, opposed to the domi-
nant party. Our programme, then, is less am
bilious than that of the Citizens Party" but
it is more M sure. Another point-let a party
called "the Citizens Party" nominate "Con-
~ ooY,f d
stronger radical vote will be arrayed against
avowed Democrat. These are our views. It
may be that majority of our political friends
think otherwise But we desire to be under
stood. In our deliberate judgment, to sink the
Democratic organization in this State into q
"Citizens' Party" is to dull the edge of the
opposition to radicalism and to impair the
cause of the State and the cause of the coun-
try. But perhaps we shall be oyer-ruled.
When the convention of the anti-radicalists of
the State shall speak, it may be our duty to
defer-at least, to be silent-if no more In
the meantime the Pheni1 will not faunt its
Democracy Extensively into every anti-radical-
lists face, but let it be known, that as yet, we
see no reason to give up that cause which so
many good and true men in the North, South,
East and West, yet deem it their duty to stand
by. But there is yet another and very impor-
tant point that we desire to make. We wish
to say to our friends that this State is to be re-
deemed and regenerated neither by Democracy
nor any other party. Politically, the State
must be radical for several years to come. The
colored voters will vote the radical ticket, not
because they cannot stand the Democratic par
ty, but because they like and love and swear
by the radical party. Now, our proposition is
to stop seeking negro votes. "Ephraim is
joined to his idols, let him alone" The lead
ers of the negroes have said "To your tents,
oh Israelw and "Isracl' has obeyed. Yes
try the game of winning white immigrants.
Let no man think and feel and act as if he
held that the destinies of these Southern States
are dependent upon the votes of the colored
man. Let him vote as he will, and, in the
meantime, let the men of the South-fairly,
Justly, faithfully, manfully work out their own
salvation. In an industrial sense, it is true
"who would be free themselves must strike the blow"
Let our people realize their necessities. Let
us understand that these necessities are in the
line of labor and industrial development. Let
US organize in every Southern State, bureaus
of immigration. By some practical means,
give an impetus to immigration and the stream
Will flow on. why snould IL noIl African
slavery has been removed, and we have greater
attractions in productions, in climate and in
soil, than the North We must labor now not
for victories in the forum, not for laurels of
logic and rhetoric, not for merely mental
achievements but for population and wealth
and enterprise.
What then, is our conclusion2 1t is this (:
Let political fidelity and self-respect be main
tanned but, above all, let it be understood and
felt in every fibre of our being, that the best
politics-the most reliable politics--for the
State and the South is, the amplest material
development and the largest flow of immi-
grants. To utilize and foster the eolored labor
that we have, but to supplement it with white
labor-to improve the colored citizenship that
we have, but to augment the white citizenship;
this is the policy Of common sense.-COtun'6ia
PhGni1