The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-21
Tho Press Conference Ac,csrrpfinii mn enc SIC.
80. uRflon..N0s a. ~. :lt.t.- !.

rhe Press Conference Accepting siss SIC.
untion--No. a. !. i'r.,e.:-
But are we prepared to accept all. that
follows from the political equality of tho
races? After admitting political rights,
can we, deny socialP or may they be- se-
parated?~
We know that it is customary to speak
of them as separate and distinct, but in
practice are they SO? Have we not heard
of the rival claims of the wives of Sena-
tors at Washington to be considered
"the first lady Of the land?" And do
they rest their claims upon their respect
i've beauty. culture or refinement. or is
it not by virtue of the positions of their
husbands or fathers That they consider
themselves entitled? Do we not now
read Of the ''cours etiquette" which re-
quires the President to hnnd in to din
ner the wife of the senior Senator pres
ent, and that TINT Senator must take in
Mrs. Grant? Is it permitted to Senators
at Washington to call upon those below
them in rank?
Iu no court in Europe are tho rules of
distinction more strictly defined or rigid
ly enforced than in the Republican court
at Washington. In Europe these dis
tinotions are marked by birth aud class,
and somewhat by political station, in
America they depend upon political sta
ton alone.
But without going so far US Washing
ton, what do we hear of in our own little
Radical court ut Columbia? We are told
that not even surprise party can hap
pen at the gubernatorial residence with
out the fullest explanation to the colored
officials of the accident that brought
about n social gathering in which none
of the ruling color were present. This
social equality may be to Governor
Scott's tastes, but will it be to the tastes
Of the Governor whom the white people
are to elect with the aid of the negroes?
If it be, then alas! our Fears that socinl
equality must follow political. are not
groundless. But if, on the other hand,
it be not to his tastes, and ho refuses to
receive into his household the wives and
families Of his brother officials, how long
will the party of purity stand tho dis.
sensions that this matter Of taste will
produce?
But will the Legislature thus elected
by the fusion of all classes, permit the
| social equality act to remain upon the
Statute Book2 And if repealed, how
long will the party that rcpeals it remain
in power?
For all his aspirations wo do not blame
tho negro. 1t is most natural that when
he has the power, he should desire that
which he has always observed rs its ac-
companiment-soc social position. More
over, it is necessity to him who has
raised himself above his race, that he
should aspire to a higher association than
it can afford But we cannot consent to
social mixture of races on account OF
the few who have raised themselves above
their own. There is 10 dividing line
between social equality and misce gena.
| tion.
| But are we grnvcly to discuss the pro.
priety of q social mixture of races? Did
the press conference propose to do so:
And yet they have raised questions which
con only be answered by solution oi
that problem.
NoTE-Since these articles have been
in press the following paragraph has up.
peared in the Nc,os: "Mr. Thornton, the
British Minister, has called upon Mr.
Revels. aud the latter is the recipient o
numerous invitations to dinners and pri
vate parties. Hc is invited to dine with
Mr.. and Mrs. Fish. Report anys Mr.
Sumner hns prevailed on Mr.. Rovels tc
spend the summer in Boston,"
No