The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-07

shackle our manhood and lie supinely on our
backs, while these Vultures consume our
| lives Whatever may be the choice OF few
malcontents, the people of South Carolina VIII
say, no! The time has come when men must
show their principles and stand by them.
| Enthusiastic applause.
1t Is generally known, that as chairman OF
| the Committee on Resolutions, l reported to
| the convention, which organized the Union
Reform party, the platform prepared and in
| troduced by General Kershaw. 1t was con-
sldered maturely and adopted unanimously.
True, some gentlemen say that in recognizing
the Fifteenth amendment as the law OF the
! land and the rights of tho colored man, we
have surrendered principle. ] deny the pro-
position.
When we returned to our homes after the
war, we took an oath to support the constitu-
| ton and the laws. Do you mean to obey 1t or
not The Reconstruction laws have resulted
| from the war, and Congress has passed, as a
eliminating feature, the Fifteenth amendment.
That Fifteenth amendment says, no man shall
be denied the right Of voting on account OF
| race, color or previous condition Of servitude.
| It is the law of the land, and so recognized by
the people Of the United States. That is what
propose to do, and every other honorable
man should do; for not to do 1t, Is to commit Q
perjury. The Fifteenth amendment l regard
as statute of repose, as q settlement OF a
has right to violate it.
Under these circumstances cannot under
stand that there has been any surrender OF
principle. We have simply accepted the law
OF the land, and done what every honorable
man North or South may approve. On this
subject there is no difference between the
Northern Radical and the Northern Democrat
The essence OF Republlcanism has been absorb
ed into the organic law, and the only issue with
which we have to deal is one of honesty
against dishonesty in the administration OF the
affairs of South Carolina. That is the simple
alternative presented to the white and colored
men of the State.
Ikuow that the Radicals charge Judge Car
penter as they charge every other man oppos-
ed to their dishonest practices, but thus far
they have failed to prove solitary allegation
against him. From others who know his
worth, he has received an endorsement OF
which any man may be proud. 1t Is but re-
Gently that, on taking leave OF the Bar IN
Charleston, that body held large meeting,
which was presided over by the venerable eX-
Chief Justice Of the State, and passed series
of resolutions endorsing him as man OF hon
or, integrity and ability. That act of itself
would prompt me TO take Judge Carpenter by
the hand and Gull him my friend.
Now, my fellow-citizens, all we have to do
Is to work. You see no future for our young
men; no capital coming from the North; no life
In the State 70 make money, to own property
in South Carolina, under the present admins
tration, is to be taxed and robbed-black and
white-and for what? To fill the pockets of
those men whose only element OF cohesion Is
that of public plumber. Yet We are told that
we must sit down and submit to all OF this;
bear our taxation without mumur; let these
robbers add another four or five millions to
the debt next year, and make no Sign. Mr..
Chairman, mistake the spirit OF the people OF
South Carolina If they do any such thing.
believe they intend to go into this contest
with q will and vlgor they have never oeiore
exhibited In 4 political struggle. And th;re is
but one thing necessary to carry the election.
If we are united, If the people will give up
some OF their preudlces and opinions
which belong 10 the past, there Tan be
but one result, and that result, sue
cess. If there ever was an OCCASION
In the history OF the State, when our people
should 60 to the polls and see that every man
goes tliere-when the colored man should
vote as q freeman, and not as one who owes
allegiance to league, that keeps his minG
and body In slavery, that time Is now. And let
me say to the colored men present, that the
talk of putting you back into slavery Is simply
idle. The politicians aud office-seekers impose
upon your Ignorance when they try t0make you
believe 1t, and they try to make you believe 1t
that you may be arrayed against your best
friends-those who employ and iced you
good people of South Carolina, and If there
were, the power don't exist, and slavery will
never be re-establlshed in this country.
In conclusion, let me say that when the citi-
zens OF the State fully understand the object
and Intentions of the Union Reform party,
when 1t Is seen that there has been an abandon
ment of prejudice, when the colored man re-
alizes that there is no abandonment, Of prlncl-
pie in voting for an honest man, and the white
man feels that, In voting with the Union Re-
form party, he Is securing an honest govern
ment, we shall have accomplished all for which
we strive; for, with these convictions In their
hearts, all good people will unite to advance
the welfare of the State and the prosperity of
Its humblest citizens. [Applanse.l
Judge Bacon was now called for, but said, as
he would frequently be heard from during the
campaign, and Us one was present in whose
counsels the citizens of Edgefeld had often
confided, he would call on his friend, ex-Gov-
ernor Bonham.
The mention of this name was received with
cheers, and the General addressed the audi
ence as follows:
REMARKS OF EX-GOVERNOR N. L. BoNHAM.
Mr.. Chairman and Fsll0'o-C -Ctizens-Al-
though it was not my intention to speak on
which have been called upon compels me to
break the silence had imposed upon myself,
and to express my views distinctly and en-
phatically. My heart is fully in accord with
this movement. [Great cheering.1 But am
free to confess that was one Of those who did
not al first believe it would succeed. had
seen something of the character of the organ
ization with which we had to contend.
realized that many of the most Intelligent
freedmen of the country, though believing
themselves to be free, were, in fact, greater
slaves than they had ever been, because they
were pledged to vote as party might dictate,
and sworn to pursue certain line Of conduct,
though it might be contrary to their honest
convictions. This was their idea Of freedom;
but who dare call himself freeman, white or
black, who can be taken into secret lodge
and compelled to forfeit his birthright? Sir,
these people are laborip lnder deluslon,
and though they may no. do so now, 1t will
not be long before they discover their mistake.
Recently while in the City Of Charleston,
comforting with number OF gentlemen,
heard that an effort was about to be made to
shake of the nightmare that rests upon the
State. Not long afterWards'a public meeting
took place in that city, which was attended
and addressed by many Gifts best citizens OF
both races. From that moment / began to
feel that there was ray Of hope for poor
down-trodden South Carolina, and | returned
to my home among you, earnestly impressed
with the Importance of the movement. [Ap-
plause.1 You know, fellow-citizens, that 1
have not been accustomed to withhold my
sentiments whenever their expression has
been demanded by You, and l say here, that
though we are five times poorer than before
the war, though we have been taxed, plumber
ed and oppressed to degree which, If con-
,,.;i . f,,,yr III