The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-23

and interests of we'll. nigh every county
in the State were Represented with can.
dor and with truth. There was no
disposition on the part of any member
Of the Conference to withhold any in
formation which might properly inAu-
ence its deliberations, aud we are
gratified TO be able to state that the
whole discussion was marked by singular
discretion, frankness aud good sense.
These resolutions embody the views
aud opinions of the members of the
Anti Radical press who met in council
at the capital of tho State 1t may be
said that the right of the oolored man to
vote is fixed aud 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 tho FIRST time recognized aud
affirmed, in their full force, by any
Anti-Radical Association.
From their first word to their last,
they (the resolutions) take the broad
ground that the coming contest has no
connection with national politics or
national political parties, but is one in
which all citizens shall work aud toll
together to secure capable, honest and
respectable government for them and
for their children. No distinction is
made of class, Of color, or of past poiti-
cal action. The equal rights of all citi
zens are freely admitted. aud, when the
proper time comes, it will be seen that
this is nc barren pledge, but means that
every class and every color shall have its
fair aud honest representation in the
administration of the affairs Of the State
Honesty, intelligence and equal rights
these are the Recommendation OF the
press conference, as they are the prin-
ciples of the great citizens party as
cnunciated again and again iu the COL
umus of this papor. With these princi-
Piles as our raIIying points, aud appeal
ing in u common cause to the sense aud
decency Of the whole State, we must and
shall succeed in obtaininga a government
under which the people Of South Curo-
lima may become aud remain happy,
prosperous and free.
From the Columbia Phenin'1
1t will be seen that the editorial con.
ference undertake neither to make u
platform nor to unmake one. The
resolutions express the sense Of the con
ference. 1t is believed that they will
meet with the approval all ant. radicalists
in the State, including Democrats and
Republicans, whitcs> and blacks-in
fue, of all opposed to the misrule, cor
ruption aud inefficiency Of the present
regime. The conference also invite "a
convention to be held in this city, OH
the 18th juno next. We have expressed
tho opinion that later period would be
wiser, but for controlling reasons, we
believe the time suggested the proper
period, and hope that the proposition
for the convention, as we'll as the time
selected, may be regarded acceptable.
As respects tho formal acknowledge
mcnt of tho colored mans status, we
presume that there can be but one opin-
ion with wise and progressive mcn.-
When in the convention Of April. 1868,
the colored man was recognized as a
member of the body polite, we took
that ground Of which our present ac-
acknowledgement is the logical sequence.
made in these columns, and we arc
pleased to fnd them coucnrrcd in By
the press conference. 1t is our manifest
duty to utilize, to recognize and to Gle
vatc the negro labor as we'll us the ne
gro vote. We need the one for our
material progress and the other to help
on our political reforms. South Carolina
is occupied by two races. Whilst, in our
Judgment, we should by all means Ell
courage white acccssions to our popula.
ton, by liberal encouragement OF
settlers from Europe and the North, it
is also ou, policy to adjust with harmony
and fairness the relations between the
white and black man living within our
State borders
AS u Democratic journal, VIC con
cur in the propositions the conference,
aud we do invite and urge in the ap
yoaching State canvass Il generous and
general rally in behalf Of good, honest,
economical government in South Caro-
lima. The Augcan tables OF tho State
absolutely rcck with corruption. 1t is
our duty to turn the waters in and to
cleanse them out. And this is the duty
OF our people, and of all our people,
without regard to party preferences or
associations, and without regard to race
Finm the Coiumbiu Gmr1iun.1
We publish below the resolutions Of
the Prcss Convention which met in this
city last Wednesday evening. We
submit this action to the favorable con-
sdcration ct the country at large, con-
fidcn: that it will crS,mand itself to the
public approval, as wise aud prudent,
and folly up to the spirit OF the times
The practical suggestion ola convention
Of the people on the 18th June, en-
suing, will, we arc assured, meet a
hearty and carly response. The time
is rapidly approaching which will call
forth tho earnest opposition of those
who feel the oppression aud corruption
Of the present State Government, and
who arc willing to act in concert with
all available elements to overthrow it.
DEATH or HON. w. r.. DeSAUS.
SURE.