The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-23
THE WAT'CHMAN
WEDN ESDAY. MARCH %.
A. 4. GILBERT ..eDlT0R
THE Sumter Watchm0n has BIZ
far tile largest circulation (espe-
cially IN the surroa1,,ezing cou,atry)
Of any paper published IN Sumter,
and acos established en- 1850.
THE PREss CONFERENCE.

THE PREss CONFERENCE.
On another column will be found tho
resolutions adopted BY the Auti.Radical
Press Of The State, at Columbia, togeth.
er with extracts from the comments of
such of the State papers as have since
como to hand.
This meeting was largo and able, and, !,
wc feel sure, 10 its action, embodied the
sense of tho entire anti radical press of
the State.
The position assumed, in the rcsolu-
tions adopted, is put before the intelli-
gcnce Of the State, in no spirit of
dictation, but simply as being that
course which, to those who control the
public journals Of the State, seems most
wise aud prudent, under the circum-
stances by which tho State is surrounded.
AS watchmeu upon the walIs-as
conscrvators Of the public wcal-as
advocates of honest and economical
government-as opposed to the rocking
corruptions which will make the
Legislature Of the State now passing
out Of existence noted in the time to
come, and as moved by an almost
irresistible impulse to do something for
the redemption Of the State from the
terrible situation iu.o Which she has
fallen, the step has been taken, with the
hope that the people, without regard to
party, race, color, or previous condition,
will rally to the rescue.
At this crisis, stubborn facts present
Themselves. 1t is the part of wisdom to
sec things as they arc-as they must
be-and address ourselves to them &C.
cordingly. The Congress of the United
States has at length fixed tho political
and civil status Of the colored mau-has
declared his full equality before the law
aud his equal political and civil rights. 1t
is now the manifest policy and interest of
the country to yield ready acquies-
cence, to the end that wise aud honest
and good government may be restored to
our beloved State. The colorcd man is
citizen Of the soil-an inhabitant of it
with the whites. If there be govern
mcnt Of the State which shall opprcss
neither the one or the other, it can only
be created by the harmonious co-opcra-
tion and action Of the two races. And
who is there, with even the latent spark
of patriotism slumberiug yet in his
bosom, who docs not feel moved upon
now with desire to relieve the un-
fortunate state Of affairs which have for
some time existed in this State? Aud
who is there now who is unwilling to
accord the colorcd man all that the law
invests HIM with? Surely there can be
no purpose to wrong, or in any wise to
injurc or oppress him-or take from
him any of the rights and liberties
which the Law Of the land gives him
Assured ofthis, by the honesty of the
State, VIC feel persuaded that the colorcd
man will be found uniting with us for
the advancement of the common in>
tcrest and the common good
We may therefore say, that we hcarti.
ly endorse the position assumed by the
Press Conference, and call upon our
people of all classes to unite upon it.
We also endorse the call which has been
made for Convention Of the people
Of the State, on the 18th Of June, irrc-
spective of race, color or previous cond-
tion. Let there be convention which
shall represent all classes of our citizens,
and let these, eschewing for the time,
national politics and past party names,
and looking only to the reformation Of
our State Government, ur;tc in con-
structing platform upon which al!
honest mon may stand. When this
shall be accomplished, then may We look
with hope for dclivcrapce, and tho
dawning of that day OF pence and
prosperity which shall break upon the
long night oi disaster, misrulc and
blood aud oppression, through which we
have passed