The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-11-14
The Political Conference Mt Columbia

The Political COnIeIencc NJ SoAuA"h"'
A conference OF representative men from
various sections of the State was held in Co.
lumbia, according to appointment on Friday
night last. Besides the resident members
of the Executive Committee OF the Reform
party, there were present a number OF sub
stantial citizens who had made themselves
acquainted with the drift Of public opinion
| in general, as well as with the desires of the
people in the counties in which they live.
The object and purposes Of the conference
having been explained by the chairman
each member OF the conference was, in turn,
invited to express his views. This was fol-
lowed by general discussion OF the politi-
cal condition OF the State, the result being
disposition to indicate for adoption line
of policy which, it is hoped, will be found
acceptable by all our people. That policy
will develop itself as rapidly as circum-
stances admit, but we may state, by authori-
ty, what are its leading aud most important
features.
The conference gave no hint, and had
evidently no thought, Of receding in any
way from the recognition Of accomplished
facts which was the foundation of the Re
form movement. 1t was assumed, and so
expressed, that those who supported the
Reform party in the canvass now ended had
accepted its platform in sincerity and good
faith, and had no dishonorable purpose OF
breaking, in the hour Of defeat, the solemn
pledges which were expected to smooth the
way to victory. There was, also, an un-
eouivocal determination to support and en-
courage the colored men who, by their con-
duct at the recent elections, had proved, at
once, their manliness and honesty OF inten-
ton. The conference, also, made it mani
fest that cordial greeting would be extend
ed to every colored man who, in the future,
should array himself against the unprincl-
pied adyenturers who seek their own fortune
in the ruin of the State. An ample con-
sideration was given to the subject OF the
frauds perpetrated by the Radical party at
the State elections, and measures were
taken for bringing all offenders, as far as
possible, before the proper civil tribunal.
1t was deemed necessary that the people
should continue to be organized throughout
the State but, at the-.same time, the con-
ference, as one man, declared its determine
ton to use every e1ertion in discountenan'
cling open and secret violence, and in main
tanning good order and peace. Upon this
point there was absolutely no difference OF
opinion, and the expressions of the several
members we're as spositive and as deliberate
as the most conservative citizen could de-
sire.
The action Of the conference was tenn
perate and harmonious, and has our entire
approval To abide by the principles which
were advocated by the Reformers in the late
canvass; to protect the colored men who
were intelligent enough to know the right,
and honest enough to do it; to welcome all
colored men who desire to enter the Conserv-
ative ranks; to calm the public mind, and
pursue evenly a firm, wise and temperate
course-this, in our judgment is, at this
juncture, the only policy calculated to res
tore public confidence, and to make certain
the ultimate redemption Of the State. And
this, as we understand it, is the public policy
which the Columbia Conference would re-
commend for the adoption of the people.
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