The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1870-05-04
FOR THE aREENvILLE ENTERPRISE.
Our True Policy,

Our True Policy. ,lA.~=
| -Messrs. Editors-In my former
articles, / have shown that 1t is
the part of wisdom for the people
Of South Carolina, and the whole
South, to look the change of cir
cnmstances by which we are sur
rounded squarely in the face, and
under the dictates Of prudence and
common sense, to make the best of
things as they are. Throughout
the length and breadth of this
country, the negro has Just become
clothed with the full habiliments of
citizenship, by the operation of the
10th Amendment to the Federal
Constitution. Under the same
laws with the white man, they are
also equally taxed to support the
Government under which we live,
both State and Federal. This is
right, and does it not Justly carry
with it the right to, vote for was
not, /" taxation without representa-
tion," one of the principle causes of
revolution with our 'forefathers
against Great Britain2 Equal
civil rights carries with it also the
right to hold office when the re
quisite number of legal votes arc
obtained, and let it be the part of
the white population of the South
in future, not by disabling statutes
if they had the power, but by in
tellect and education to preserve
to themselves and their children
the acknowledged superiority of
the Anglo-Saxon over the African
race. 1t is a mistaken feeling with
t h e colored population Of this
State, that their. interest is opposed
to the interest of the white citizens.
We are together in the same boat
we have equal burdens to bear and
the same benefits to derive from
the Government we sustain. I'm
der the feeling that the Democrat
ic party was hostile to their inter-
ests, (Which it doubtless was upon
the old issues) what was the result
of the last election for members to
our State Legislature2 AS origi-
nally elected the Senate stood, 25
Republicans to 6 Democrats, and
the House of Representatives, 1O9
Republicans to Is Democrats;
while the two races were represen.
ted by 10 white members in the
Senate to 10 colored, and in the
House by 39 white members, to
So colored. This was the result of
an election fought upon the old is
sues. Those Issues are now dead.
The living issues of the day with
t b g people Of South Carolina,
white and colored are-How long
are we to support a corrupt and
reckless State Government When
are we to have an honest and econ
omical administration of affairs Z
Are governments really created by
the people for the good of the peO-
pie, or for the benefit of the Office
holders These are questions
which will appeal directly to the
Eearts and pockets Of every voter
at the next election for members
to the State Legislature; and upon
these issues, i propose to decide
the next election, not only in the
Democratic counties OF the upper
part Of the State, but in the Re
publican counties Of the middle
and lower part OF South Carolina.
The people are ripe for it. Since
these articles were written, the
Press Conference at Columbia have
emb died the main ideas contained
in them, in the resolutions they
adopted. In the leading editorial
of q late issue of the Greenville
Enterprise, you have taken the
same grounds and in the "distinct
measures of reform and progress, :"
which you propose in that article,
have thrown hot shot into the camp
of radical misfnle and corruption.
1t is my opinion that in Greenville,
wo could elect O ticket COMPOSED
wholly OF white men and Demo.
crate. The same is true of Spar.
tanburg, Pickens, Oconee, Ander.
son, and probably other counties,
but with view to influencing the
legislation Of the State, would Il be
good policy to do sol It ia q
known fact that the 21 members
who were elected to be Senate and
House Of the last Legislature upon