The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-06-29

PoS0o w soAO VaIo VI suClubciNSc, WSuS
out reference to the Democratic party
without reference to any party, but look
ing solely to the interests Of the State.
(Great appIause). We arc told by
some of our Democratic friends that
this is inconsistent, and that by adher-
ing to the fortunes Of that party va
shall eventually bring about q condition
Of things that will practically solve tho
problem of our salvation. As to the
charge of Inconsistency, let me refer
those gentlemen to their own act
when in 1865, they met aud repealed
the ordinance Of Secession, and recog-
nized the emancipation Of slaves. It
was duty then ; it is duty now; and
there is no more Inconsistency in this
movement by the people. Of South Caro-
lima than there would be in my taking
the cars on the Pacific Rail Road, instead
of travelling across the country in a
wagon. The beaten track of our fore
fathers is not today .he shortest route
to success. We must adapt ourselves
to circumstances, and the circumstances
which exist impel you and me to a
course of action which, in certain de-
gree, makes US turn our backs upon
the past. We have to grapple with
events, and recognize things as they
are. (Applause.) No man has a right
to violate the law, unless he determines
upon revolution, aud that is the funda-
mental principles which underlies this
platform. It sets forth that such and
such acts have been passed, and are the
laws Of the land, consequently, that it is
our duty, as citizens, to recognize and
obey them in good faith, truth and sin
cerity. (Applause.)
Now what do the colored people of
South Carolina say have heard their
arguments. I know the influences
brought to bear upon them, and before
I finish, it may be necessary for me to
call names, fer believe in speaking the
English language bluutly whenever
truth demands it. They are told that
we are simply the rebel Democracy in
disguise, and have come here for the
purpose of dcceiving them. The most
infamous devices are rcsorted to for the
purpose of dcluiing these poor people.
Why sir, wo had delegation of eight
from Edge6eld, but the morning before
I started the rumor was circulated that
there would be mob at the depot in
Columbia, and that evcry colored dele
gate would be beaten or killed. They
were told that they could get no place
to lay their heads, and at Edgefeld
Court House colored men who dared to
be independent we're absolutely intimi-
dated and run from tho 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 juno bugs.
(Great applause and laughter) They
call us tho "palpitating reformers," and
pretend to treat the movement with
contempt, yet the organ of that corrupt
party devotcs four columns every morn
ing to the discussion of the question.
To my mind when q journal or a party
is forced to resort to such arguments
and efforts, it is an evidence that they
are. in a straitened condition. (Ap-
plause)
But may be asked why, If I can
adopt such platform so closely
allied to that of the Republican party,
and fully expressive of its ideas-I do
not join the Union League and go into
that party. My reason is this, because
that league is vehicle and means to
entrap and deceive and compel man,
by oaths, to support only those persons
who may be nominated by that body. 1
am in favor Of the freest and fullest cxer-
else of opinion; and, for ono. I do not
propose to sustain any organization
which cramps me with letters in a sla-
very worse than any that ever existed
jim this country. (Great applause.)
The object of this movement is to dis
cnthrall those who are thus bound hand
and foot to let them think for thsmsei.
vos act like independent citizens, and
to achieve results that will prove the
virtue, the honor and sagacity Of truly
free men.
Let Mo mention another incident. At
the meeting in Edgefeld, when these
colorcd people came in from the neigh.
borhood, the Leagues had their run
ners, in all directions, saying "Don't
20 near them; don't hear them; they
mean to put you back tito slavery; get
into the woods -anywhere-but keep
out of tho meeting"
said to one Of their representatives,
"If you have any argument worth hoar-
ing come out into the broad daylight ;
don't go under cover of the night, and
attempt to deceive those people in the
small hours of the morning as if you
were afraid Of honest Influences, for
expect when the Fifteenth Amendment
is ratified on the 4th Of July to address
that crowd"
He said to me, "I don't think you
will be allowed to do it, sir, but even
if you were, its no use to talk to mig
yer, he's got no sense" That is tho style
iu which these men speak Of the colored
people, whose votes have given them
the life and sustenance which they
enjoy to day. It is suoh facts as these
that we want. Let tho truth be elimi'
mated, and when it stands forth in oil
it's naked strength, we deserve to bo de-