The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-25

whole State? sa:=.-
We cannot understand the motives for join
ing the Radical party, in order "to exercise that
political influence" over the negro, (which we
now constantly do in all the other relations and
duties Of lye." Is not every white man sus-
pected when he makes advances to that party
Does not the Radical organ plainly declare that
new converts, albeit overhowing with zeal, must
bide their time and patiently await the growth
of confidence? We admit that Judge Orr will
prove an exception to this established rule,
since he has carefully blazed the way before his
actual entrance into the Radical fold. Heis
received with open arms, for his supposed in
fuence in the up-country.. But other men, less
sagacious and less distinguished, if there beany
desirous Of initiating this illustrious example,
will find to their discontinue that it requires
substantial proof and energetic action to secure
their confidence under such suspicious circum-
stances He that will forsake natural alliances
and lifelong associations, with the intention OF
obtaining an influence over the colored people,
has far more to contend with than his neighbor,
who will deal justly and fairly by their race,
without seeking Office at their hands. Such is
our conception of the negro character, and it is
an insult to the plainest common-sense in sup
posing that every white man who deserts his
colors will straightway march into the affections
and high regard of these newly enfranchised
voters.
But is the purpose of uniting with the Radi-
cal party to betray the confidence of the negro?
This would be wholly dishonest, total aban-
donment of principle, an unscrupulous exercise
of the arts of the demagogue, and base conduct
worthy of the most depraved member of the
present Radical party. Surely, Judge Orr
would not have the public to suspect that such
course is even contemplated. We will give
him credit for no such intentions. And yet his
letter is not sufficiently clear on this point as
to preclude any such suspicion. He does not
tell us that he joins the Radical party from
conviction that it has always been right, and he
and his compeers wrongl He does not declare
that he believes in the various changes effected
in our Federal government through the agency
of the Republican party. He accepts the re-
suits of the war, just exactly in the same sense
that every member of the Reform party does.
He is not one whit more advanced in this re-
spect than Kershaw, Butler, or any other recog-
nized leader of the Reform movement, and on
this ground is not entitled to the confidence,
esteem and support of the colored people any
IL, "a of
Wherefore, then, docs Judge Orr throw himself
bodily into the ranks of the Radical party?
Because, forsooth, to establish himself where he
believes that there will be high Offices to dis
tribute. He will not deceive the negro, but
will drift into some exalted position through
the aid of their votes, either at the ballot box
or in the Legislature. Afterwards, he will ac-
cord to them equal and exact justice with all
others, and he will not go one step further. In
the name of truth and common sense, are not
the pledges of Kershaw and Butler to be re-
garded with equal sincerity and good faith ?
Are not these men, and their associates, as fully
in earnest when they guarantee the rights, priv
ileges and protection of the colored man?
Much contained in the letter of Judge Orris
based upon the assumption that the whites of
the State heretofore acting with the Democratic
party, have renounced their political princi-
pies. This is not true, in point of fact, and
Judge Orr has misconceived the whole Reform
movement in this unwarrantcd assumption. AS
Democrat, we sacrifice no principle in sup
porting the Reform platform and its candidates.
Everywhere it has been declared that this is an
union of Democrats and Republicans to rescue
the State from the hands of "men who are ig-
norant, corrupt, dishonest and unfit" (uide in
terview with Judge Orr last March, and when
this patriotic aim has been accomplished, every
member of the Reform party can return to his
own allegiance. The platform, so far as it is
identical with the Republican platform, goes
no farther than is necessary to unite men of
both parties in common danger and SYM
pathy. 1t is endorsed by the Democracy OF
Ohio and New York, and is precisely the course
indicated by the published address of the Dem
ocratic members of Congress which is applau-
ded throughout the United States. Negro suf-
frage is recognized as fixed fact by men of all
parties. The Democratic Legislature of New
York pledged its support to the Fifteenth
Amendment, just as soon as it became q part of
the Federal Constitution, and every authorized
expression of the Democratic party on this
subject has been to follow the lead of the great
Empire State. Is Judge Orr so blind to the
current events of the day as not to see that
there is no organized opposition to the lcgisla-
tion which guarantees the rights and privileges
now enjoyed by the colored race? On the con-
trary, is it not plain that the purpose of the
Democratic party will be to eliminate these
these issues from every future campaign? On
ly the Radical party will seek to continue