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

ment of eyes, and a solemn dropping of sundry
lower jaws.
In conclusion, General Butler said he re-
joced that the colored man had been set free,
and in taking the position upon the platform
adopted by the Columbia Convention, nc did
so because he believed the Fifteenth Amend
ment to be the climax of reconstruction-a
measure calculated to set at rest forever the
question OF suffrage. And if the Republican
party would exclude from its councils such fire.
brands and fre-eaters as the gentleman who
had just spoken, peace and harmony would
prevail everywhere. Let him 60 home to his
own State of Ohio, and there administer his
rebukes because the people refuse to do Justice
to the colored race He would find sufficient
employment for his energy in such purpose,
and we could then judge of his faith by his
works. AS regards the present political move
ment, it could not be complained of by any
right thinking man. 1t meant an honest ad-
ministration of justice. 1t meant obedience to
should bury its dead
Mr.. Hoge denied the allegations made con-
cerning the ten acre lot business.
Mr.. r. B. Elliott, Assistant Adjutant- General
of the State, followed, and made calm, digni-
fed and excellent speech, in which he announc-
ed himself as a candidate for nomination as a
member of Congress from this Congressional
district. His remarks were long, but listened
to with attention, and frequently interrupted
with applause, especially when in his strong,
peculiar way the speaker emphasized the idea
that there must be reform in the administra-
tion of the affairs of the government, and
general turning-out of those who have plum
dered the State. He deprecated strife in the
approaching political contest, and hoped that
the spirit manifested on the present occasion
would be exhibited elsewhere. In conclusion,
while conceding the honesty and purity of the
motives and character of the leaders of the Re-
form party, he urged his friends, and his race
especially, to stand by the cause of Repubi-
cansm as they had known it in the past.
Hon. R. B. Carpenter was then introduced
by Mr.. Eichelberger as "a Democrat, and the
candidate of the Union Reform party"
Judge G. said he did not come here to dis
cuss political questions, but rather to join in
the celebration of that event which had legally
secured to the colored race the blessings ofcivil
and political iberty-the Fifteenth amend
ment.
He then briefly ''lct out" on Captain Eichel-
berger, late of the Confederate army" for call
! ing him Democrat, whereat the captain turn
cd very red, very white, and perspired copious-
ly, at being made to appear so ridiculous in the
ewes of his heretofore faithful constituents, that
they absolutely laughed and jeered at him.
The colored people say they never had an idea
that he was such mean man before. The gen.
eral impression produced on the opposition
speakers, judging from the guarded and courte-
Gus way in which they alluded to the candidate,
evidently is that they would rather be chased
by wild Camanche than cross swords with
him in anything but legitimate argument
After finishing this side-play, the Judge re-
marked that he regarded the Fifteenth amend
ment as the. grand elimination of war, the
statutory pacifcaton of the country. But with
universal suffrage there ought to be universal
amnesty. [CoIoncl Delaney, interrupting:
We agree on that point perfectly. The Fif-
tecnth amendment secured for all time the
right of citizens to vote without regard to race,
color or condition, and without fear that the
privilege would be abridged by any State. 1t
conferred political freedom upon the colorcd
man, but it was not freedom when his heart
and conscience is controlled by those who seek
to use his vote for their own aggrandizement
and ambition. "Do you ask (said the speaker)
what will put you on the platform with me?
answer determination TO vote as you please
For there is no freedom in being dragged by a
chain to the polls to have tickets thrust into
your hands which your own cOnsclences tell
you will elevate bad men to power. Who has
authorized this man or that to administer an
oath that puts fetter upon your hands and
your hearts and makes you the slaves Of ty-
ranny that debascs your manhood, by compel
ling you to vote for A, B or G, because your
party says so? Nobody! And the first duty you
owe to yourselves as men, and as citizens, is to
cut loose these shackles and stand forth unre-
strained, in that true liberty which is, thank
God, now the birthright of every American!N
| Cheers.
Your freedom, your citizenship is a fixed and
| accomplished fact, and cannot be disturbed.
Talk about the Republican party protecting it,
or the Democratic party, as it has been called,
destroying it, Why you might as we'll talk OF
COMPRISING the ocean into drop, or eternity
into an hour glass. 1t is the keystone of our
immortal constitutional arch, and forty millions
of people are pledged to sustain it. Cheers
One point more, for this not speech; it is
only brief talk. Is it not true that certain
class of persons, who mingle in the politics OF
the State, have tried to keep you apart from
the people of the country-have tried to induce
you to prevent our speaking, to shut your ears
| to truth and fact-ever since the meeting OF the
convention in Columbia? l leave your con-
sciences to answer the question. Let me say to
you, then, that it is your prime duty to harmo-
nize promptly with the white race There al: are
but four millions of colored people in the Uni
ted States, and if, from one disturbing cause or
another, you permit yourselves to be used for
the partisan purposes of those who seek to ar
ray you in opposition to what is just and right
you will find weight of thirty-five millions OF
white people upon you. Such result, how
ever, only can follow from yielding blind obe-
dicnce to those who, taking advantage of your
ignorance, are now trapping you with their
oaths, putting chains upon your conscience, and
instead of true men, making of you mere ma
chimes [Cheers.
Colonel Delaney, colored officer of the
Governors staff, made the next speech. he
said he was one of those who never denied his
principles. He would say, therefore, for him.
self not for his party, that he was in favor OF