The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-07-07

Let me- mention another incident. At the
meeting in Edgefeld, when these colored peo.
Pile came in from the neighborhood, the
leagues had their runners in all directions
saying "Don't go near them; don't hear them
they mean to put you back into slavery; get
into the woods-anywhere-b keep out oi
the meeting"
said to one OF these representatives, "II
you have any argument worth hearing, come
out into the broad daylight; don't go under
cover OF the night and attempt to deceive these
people in the small hours OF the morning as il
you we're afraid Of honest influences, for ex.
pect when the Fifteenth amendment is ratified
on the 4th of July to address that crowd"
He SAID to me, 81 don't think you will be
allowed 10 do it, sir, but even If yOn were, irS
no use to talk 10 a nigyer, he's g0t no sense.
That is the style in which these men speak oil
the colored people, whose votes have given
them the life and sustenance which they en-.
JOY to-day. 1t is such facts as these that we
want. Let the truth be eliminated, and when
it stands forth in all its naked strength. we
deserve to be defeated if we cannot use it as
q weapon with which to destroy these enc.
mics Of the peace aud prosperity OF the State.
Why, slr, see every day of my life men who
were raised upon the same breast. in an atti-
tude of bitter hostile antagonism, and yet
when the people Of the State come forward
and say we recognize events as they are, and
We pledge ourselves to abide by thea, what
is the reply? "Don't trust them; they are de-
ceiving yon ?"
Now, propose for moment TO inquire into
tho character of the present administration,
and l do 30 upon the principle, if you will par
don the homely expression, thai when go q
fishing. goia fishing. [Laughter.] We are
asked what objection we have to that admin
istration answer, because it has not cal
ried out Republican principles. The Execu-
tive of South Carolina was elected confessed
ly by the colored vote; How have those peo-
pie been rewarded2 speak OF my own couD-
ty. Out of twenty appointments of magis-
trates by the Governor, there was but one
colored person, and he was afterwards remov.
ed for doing justice between 6, white man and
black man. SO much for Edgefeld.
He desires to establish constabulary force
in South Carolina. What does he do? II he
wants jail cleaned out or any other dirty
work done, he picks up ''a nigger" at SIG Per
gentlemen, with broadcloath clothes and breast
pins, to travel leisurely over the State on
horseback, at $50 month, he sends to Ohio.
I defy the administration to deny it.
Now, is that Repubhcanism ? lsit carrying
ont the promises or the professions OF that par
ty? No, sr; and what is more. when you ask
them why they don't give some of the intelli-
gent colored people these appointments, the
answer Is, why, they are not qualified; the
niggers haven't got sense enough" AIR. Presl-
dent, it is false. There are within my know
ledge, and within yours and that OF every
member of this Convention. thirty or forty COL
ored men whom we would rather see occupy
ing these Offices, than a large portion OF the
white men who haVe been appointed. Ihey
are content TO let the black man do their dirty
work, to wheedle and dclude him until his vote
"a ooh fhey la IN
preserved for future use.
Now, in this platform we recognize events
as they are; we pledge ourselves to do justice,
aud if we say to the colored people you shall
participate in the offices and emolIments at
our disposal, as men OF honor insist that it
shall be done, and that we shall not, like this
imported crowd, say, "fhe Niger is good
enough to vote but he is not good enough to
hold Office" [Great applause.]
These are facts which this Republican ad-
ministratlon do not care to have ventilated.
They would keep them in the background, il
they could, and let no honest white man in
vestieate.
Some of my friends say. ''Go homo without
making nomination. Wait. and appeal to the
magnammity of these men" Why sir, you
might as well appeal TO highwayman not to
take your purse. The present government
want US TO lie supinely on orr backs while the
officers ill their pockets. They fear TO have
US talk to the colored people. and would be
grateful if we would continue to stald aloof as
we have been fuohshly doing for the last tour
years. For one. however, propose to step to
the 'front.' and grapple with things as they are.
(Applause.I To recognize them in all their
power, and to regard the Fifteenth amendment
os one Of the accomplished facts OF the age.
[Applnuse.l
Look where we may, the tendency OF the
time is towards the enlargement OF popula"
rights. The German Confederation has sprung
into greatness under the magic power of the
illustrious Bismarck. The French demand
Reform. and the Emperor concedes it through
the medium OF the Piebiscitum. The people
OF Great Britain demand Reform, end it is
granted by thai strong government. Spain is
emancipating her slaves AID Russia her serts.
All the civilized countries of the earth are en-
gagged IN the same progressive movement, ana
why should we in America lag behind in the
race? Sir, it is II pursuance OF these great
demands OF the hour that we concede what
has been embodied 10 this platform. Ii we
had no other reason, the motive OF progress
alone would lie q sufficient excuse for the posi-
non VIC take. [Applause.l The difference be-
tween the governments OF the Old World and
the New ls, that when Reform is demanded
there, statesmen arc sagacious and yield to
tile pressure, at the same time that they pre-
serve the dignity and integrity OF the govern
mcnt. III America, however, we tear Things
up By the roots. We endanger and impel1l
the existing state of things, and turn the bot
tenn up, leaving the roots to expire in the sun.
Now, sir, all the Reform we urge is IN the
management OF the affairs of the State. 1t ls
not question of politics, not question OF
power, but OF truth, honor and virtue. And
SO sincere am in this declaration that here
publicly announce that if the Executive CT
South Carolina can satisfy me that the charges
made against him aud his associates are false,
| will withdraw my opposition.
There is another point to which l may al
lude in this connection. 1t has been the effort
of the Governor of South Carolina to fix upon
the people OF the State the stain which would
attach to IN organized band Of Ku-Klux, and
to prejudice the world against those over
whom he officially presdes, betraying ma
lignant partisanship and recognizing no IN.
huence, no demand save that which emauates
from those to whom he was elected TO ofrce.
Mr.. President, you remember that in 1868
colored man, by The name OF B. F. Randolph,
was murdered in Abbeville, Lee Nance was
also murdered in Newberry, and Martin in Abb
beyille. What was the dea0uemelt2 The muir
derer of Randolph goes to the Executive OF
tce State, with the blood upon his hands, ana
acknowledged The deed. He was consigned 10
thc pealtontiary. but Without trial Or Judlciai
investigation. Why was that? 1t was neces-
sary to carry an election, and this man was
manipulated to secure q confession which 1t
was supposed could be effactually used against
the people oil the State. What followed The
murderer was permitted to escape, and public
opinion believes, from all the circumstances,
4 r,,tl, nf{s ,ol rnd