The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-18

for us. tell the truth as it stands, and desire
that it shall be freely ventilated from one end
of the State to the other. We have never put
ourselves in such a position that the colored
citizens of South Carolina could heartily sus-
tain us until the present moment. DO you y ask 4
why? propose to answer the question with
short resume Of the condition OF affairs since
the close Of the war.
You will remember that we returned home
in 1865, after having laid down our arms.
Chaos, confusion and anarchy reigned. What
was first done The people assembled In
primary meeting; they sent representatives to
the then President Of the United States, An
drew Johnson, to set forth the circumstances
| of the country, to acknowledge their acquies-
cence In the results of the struggle, and to
obtain counsel. Mr.. Johnson said, return to
your State. will appoint Provisional Gov
ernor. Organize your convention; popularlze
| your State government; repeal the ordinance
Of Secession; recognize the emancipation OF
slavery, and observe your paroles: These
were the terms, and / appeal to history to
prove that the conditions imposed were faith
| fully observed. and the instructions OF the
| President of the United States were religlously
obeyed. What resulted? Congress met. But
Congress repudiated these terms Of recon-
strucuisn. Mr.. Johnston insisted and appealed
| to our honor, our character, our selt-respect
not to fall into the trap which this Radical
Congress had SET That, too, Is history. and
| what was more natural than that they should
look to the common chief OF the armies and
| navies of the United States for their protec-
| ton and peace.
What followed? The convention in Philadel-
phia It was said far and wide the Democratic
| party will triumph, and you will be successful.
We sympathized and labored, but again we
were deluded. Congress met; the antagonism
between that body and the President contin--
ued to increase, and between the upper and
the neither milestone We were ground almost
| to powder. Now, sir, the people OF South Car
olina propose to take care of themselves, with
out reference to the Democratic party-wlth-
out reference to any party, but looking solely
| to the interests of the State. [Great applause ]
We are told by some of our Dem ocratic friends
! that this is inconsistent, aud that by adherinS
to the fortunes Of that party we shall even
tually bring about q condition Ut things
that will practically solve the problem OF
our salvation. AS to the charge of in-
consistency, let me refer those gentlemen
to their own act, when, in 1865, they
met and repealed the Ordinance of Secession,
and recognized the emancipation OF slaves. IL
was duty then, it Is duty now, and there Is no
more inconsistency in this movement by the
people of South Carolina than there would be
In my taking the cars on the Pacific Railroad,
instead of travelling across the country IN a
wagon. The beaten track ofour forefathers IS
not to-day the shortest route to success. We
must adapt ourselves to circumstances, and
the circumstances which exist impel you and
me to course of action which, In certain
degree. makes us turn our backs upon the
past. We have to grapple with events, and
recognize thing as they are [Applause.l No
man has right to violate the law, unless he
determines upon revolution, and that Is the
fundamental principle which underlles this
platform. 1t sets forth that such and such
acts have been passed, and are the laws oil the
land, consequently that 1t Is our duty, as cltt-
zens, to recognize and obey them IN good
faith, truth and sincerity. tApplause.l
Now what do the colored people of South
Carolina say? have heard their arguments.
know the influences brought to bear upon
them, and before finish, 1t may be necessary
for me to call names, for believe in speaking
the English language bluntly whenever truth
demands It. They are told that we are simply
the rebel Democracy in disguise, and have
come here for the purpose OF deceivlng them.
The most Infamous devices are resorted to for
the purpose of deluding these poor people
Why, sir, we had delegation OF eight from
Edgefeld, but the morning before | started
the rulnor was circulated that there would be
mob at the depot in Columbia, and that every
colored delegate would be beaten or killed.
They were told that they could get no place to
lay their heads, and at Edge6eld Courthouse
were absolutely intlmidated and run from the
public square.
There are certain people who speak of this
as the "June-bug Convention" Well, there
are some bugs which are much more offensive
than June bugs. tGreat applause and laugh
teri They call US the "palpltating REFORM
ers,h and pretend to treat the movement with
contempt, yet the organ of that corrupt party
devotes four columns every morning to the
discussion of the question. To my mind, when
q Journal or a party Is forced to resort to such
arguments and efforts, 1t Is an evidence that
they are in Strengthened condition. Jap
plause.1
But may be asked why, if can adopt such
plattorm-one so closely allied to that Of the
ideas-I do not Join the Union League and 90
into that party. Ny reason is this, because
that league is vehicle and means to entrap
and deceive and compel a man, by oatns, to
support only those persons who may be noml-
mated by that body. am In favor OF the ireest
and fullest exercise Of opinion, and, for one, l
do not propose to sustain any organization
which cramps me with fetters in q slavery
worse than any that existed in this country.
[Great applause.l The object Of this move
ment is to disenthral those who are thus
bound hand and foot; to let them think ior
themselves; act like independent citizens, and
to achieve results that will prove the virtue,
the honor and sagacity of truly tree men.
Let me mention another incident. At the
meeting in Edgeield, when these colored peo-
ple came in from the neighborhood, the
leagues had their runners in all directions,
saying 'Dont 20 near them; don't hear them;
they mean to put you back into slavery; ge.
into the woods--anywhcre but keep out Of
the meeting
I said to one OF these representatives, vi you
have any argument worth hearing, come out
into the broad daylight; don't 90 under cover
of the night and attempt to deceive these peo-
ple in the small hours Of the morning as If yon
were afraid of honest influences, for expect
when the Fifteenth amendment Is caliGed Oh
the 4th of July to address that crowd"
He said to me, ~ don't think you will be
allowed to do it, sir, but even If you were, icS
no use TO talk to q nigger, he's got no sense. !"
That is the style in which these men speak Of
the colOred people, whose votes have given
them the life and sustenaice which they en-
10y to-day. 1t is such facts rs 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
mics of the peace and prosperity of the State.
[Applause.l
Why, sir, see every day Of my life men who
were raised upon the me breast, in an atti-
tnde 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 them, what
is the reply? Don't trust Them; they are de-
ceiving you.''
Now, propose for moment to inquire into