The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-04-08

publican party which can be success.
fdl In South Carolina for the next ten
years, and tho remark is equally ap.
plioablo to, every Southern State in
| which thersis large colored majority.
The result Of the last thrce years
have satisfied the'people that ali the
prosent evils Of which they oomplasn
might havo boon avcrted by showing
TO the colorcd voters that they intend
ed to maintain their new rights.
Largo numbers of the best men in
South Carolina are even now Willing
to espouso Republican principles, and
would doubtless do so but for the dis
trust which, as gentleman Of charac-
ter and intelligence, they naturally
sntertain toward those who, by acci-
dental circumstances, have been placed
in tho lead Of the Republican party
men who do not, and never did enjoy
public confidence; men who are igno-
rant corrupt, dishonest, and unfit, by
reasons of their early associations, for
decent society. They were adroit
enough, however, to make the more
ignorant among the negroes believe
them to be their best friends. and by
employing all the arts of the dema-
.gogue, and an unscrupulous uso Of
disgrceful agencies, they succeeded in
being elected to the most important
Offices in the State.
b + { THE coIoRED PEOPLE.
Q. It is yourbclief that the negro
eau be controllcd2
A. 1t depends upon the material
you work with, and the material YOU
work upon. The most ignorant are
the most radical. the most intelligent
arc the most conservative; and my
experience with them, in the capacity
of Legislators, satisfies me that as far
as lies in their power they mean to
do only that which will rebound to
the best interests of the State. Nat
urally, much of their action has been
based upon the determination to
strengthen their party: some Of their
measures, such as legislatjng a city
council into Office over the head Of
another council, perhaps equally Re-
publican in Character or such as ex-
tending the limits Of city or town
| in order to EMBRACE more votes, have
been extraordinary in their purpose !;
but even these have found sturdy op-
ponents amongs tho race, who will
not lend themselves TO any policy,
however advantageous, that is not
fully sdBtaihed by precedent or prin-
Gpie., Az Tsaid before, tLe- colored
|peop1e'nfay, for q while, sdistrust the
professions Of white men, but when
they see them in earnest, and .discov-
er that it not merely matter of
politics, but Of practical benefit to the
State, which is involved. lin u combi-
nation Of strength, will be restored,
and tho two races will work togeth-
er in harmony Il .ers'
|, q Is there any disposition among
tho colored people to improve their
opportunities , er..~~
A. Undoubtedly; large numbers of
colored children are attending school !;
many of their parents, by economy
and. Industry; have x accumulated
NJ cans Zee a. class they dress better
than before, and there are general ev-
idences Of improvement There is
of course aslasge ehsssof idfers;solsxy
men hnd women, who havea no .lmDfe
ambition TO- do more than live from
hand to month These prey upon
society, and bring their race into dis
repute but this is an evil which only
time can cure. IEt bsthsx brighter
side of the picture which our people
ara 'cohteinfl plating ssbscanse they see in
the advancement Of this large colored
alement- a, corresponding degree of
advant9 seS tpg dhsnisSxes and tho
State. We want. intelligent labor,
As~7 Id sAglaguleq1els p6m lnunitST we
must depsnI upon It fof success, and
if it cannot be brought from abroad,
our policy is to promote all edncation-
al Influences at heme.. Ityis q ,reali-
zation Of the, fsct that thet Interests
Of the two races are common, that
leach hssdepends supon,athe other, that
the black man il essential to the wei
fare Of TIE white man, and that both
must Work tdgether III The business
concerns of life, which 3hasi brought
men to their senses. We are, in
short, becoming progressive.
90 q rHns RIsrEsHfn AuENbuENrs1;.Y
Q.aAllos euie IT'D ysske Governor
what is likely to, be the operation OF
the Fifteenth amendment throughout
Z IA It is'' my belief that in aGfssw
years tCongtess viii fSd that thew
| have pdtihto ths hands of the SoGt1,
q two-edged sword; that that with
which 'they'intended to DEPRIVE the
4 white man of power has onfv doubled
ft.' a.And' Should the dnest7St1 az re-
peahHg The clause. Be fiised. I'll slron
gest opponents viii tlieh be tifossee WIZ
\ live south of Mason and Dixof,4 line
So A1entieas Will ehsf interest 6f the
two races here, eventually Become
aiPieeal causes Of frrftdtioDs bein o. re
b1ovedA4that tffehSodth wifi I'D intl