The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-06-22

PV11sbVh VI PSVoINbU& Vvcb 'NUuyeoSAVb
composed Of the patriot sops ofour own
South Caroliln unless it b. that,I have
perhaps Afforded some evidebce. Of my
devotion to that old mother. { Applause. /
In our hour of need promise, ~ /
believe you promise, . devotion equal to
that,whioh We have felt ia tho hour OF
her triumph add grandeur. i commend
you to that spirit which 10 all the past
bas actuated the soDs Of. old South
Caroline. 1kuow that with the most OF
as this devotion will continue while life
lasts, end when the shadows Of death
fall around rs, We still call our SONS TO
che altar, and like Hamilcar to Hauni.
bal, swear them, though more holly,
not to hate the enemies Of our country,
but to love that country more. For
myself, loving our past, still feel an
interest 10 the future aud while life
lasts, my lot will be cast among you.
Born in your midst, nurtured on your
soil, educated 10 your schools and COL
leges, and never having passed a day
beyond our borders that was not one
long aspiration for a, return, / shall
spend the remainder of my days on her
soil, resting on her bosom, whether tho
heel Of tile oppressor shall tread upon
my grave, or it shall be illuminated by
the sun Of liberty. (Applause.) South
Carolina belongs to US, and intend, as
no doubt you intend, to stay here. Such
being the fact, is it not our duty to de-
wise remedy for the expressions which
existY Shall We, by a lnastorly inacti-
witty, invite still further aggression ?
Every true heart will answer, Mo-!
While we have failed in q resort to
arms, there is yet left to US, under not
the worst government the world has
seen, the right to resort to the remedies
of peace. Our path of duty is therefore
plain. (Applause.)
/ believe in the law of progress. /
believe that the present condition Of
affairs is but temporary. / should dis
trust the providence Of God were it
otherwise. Iu the progress of Gods
ordinances, the prcsont anomalous con-
dition Of affairs must end; if they do
not we are utterly ruined. The ques-
tiOn which we are to consider is wheth.
er we shall wait until these expressions
have ceased in the course Of time, or
with the means at our command at
tempt to cure the evil. From the evil
dences around me-tho faces which 1
see representing Carolina, from the,
mountains to the seaboard, feel assured
that the hour is come, when the people
are determined by all legitimate means,
to shake off the burdens which oppress
them. (Applausc.) Although we may
not have the pleasure of meeting many
of those who in the past have shed the
light of their experience upon US, we
will still attempt to steer the destinies
of South Carolina. The blessing of
God is upon us, and in striving to per.
form our duties, we may rest assured
that eventually VIC shall enjoy our re
ward. (Applausc.)
COMMITTEE ON PLATFORM.
General NJ. @. Butler moved that a
Committee on Platform be appointed by
the Chair. Tbe motion was agreed to,
and the following gentlemen named /:
Gen. NJ. 4. Butler, Ellison S. Kcitt, G..
j.. Buist, Gen. j. D. .Kcrsl,aw,
Thomas Grcgorie, William Sans, j. B..
McCants.
Mr.. L. w. Siebles moved that a
Committee of seven be appointed, to
whom all resolutions should be referred,
without debate. The motion was agreed
to, aud the following gentlemen appoint
ed i: Messrs. +. w. Scibles, Gen. j.
D. Kennedy, j. p. Thomas, +. w. Daw-
son, Q. S. Bryce, A. "A. Harper, j. o.
Crosby.
Mr.. ". T. Gary, of Edge6cid, moved
that Committee of ten be appointed to
whom should be referred the manner in
which the votes Of the different coun /.
ties should be taken. The motion
was agreed to, and the following gem
tlemcn were appointed Messrs. w. T..
Gary, James NJ. Davis, w. t. Marshall,
Jonas Bird, B. j. Withcrspoon, j. A.
lIoyt. A. Smythe, S. p. Burbridge, Ed.
T.. Malloy, II. p. Todd.
A PLATFORM PROPOSED.
Gen. j. B. Kershaw. L hold iu my
hand paper which, after reading, I
move be referred to the Committee on
Platform. ye thereupon read paper
which "dce)ates and announces the fol-
lowing gpriD&ples upon which men ofall
parties mny unite"
i, J.. The Fifteenth Amendment OF the
sgG,oHtitution of the United States hay-
S1Ssbccn by the proper authorities pro-
t4Imcd and ratified by tho requisite
Epinbcr of States. aud having been re
coived and acquicsced as the law in
all the States oP tho Union, ought to be
fairly administered and faithfully obeyed
us fundamental law.
2. The vast changes in our system Of
Government brought by tho information.
al war between the two sections of the
country, and following in its train arc
so far incorporated into the Constitu-
tions aud Laws of tho States and the
United. States, as to require that they bc
regarded as vcritics, having tho force
and obligation of law.
B. This solemn and complete rccogni.
tion OF existing laws brings the people
Of South Carolina into entire harmony
upon all questions Of civil and political
right, and should unto all honest mon