The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-30

1867 advocated the raising to the platform of
equality before the law my honored friend,
who presides with 80 much dignity over.
this assembly-because In this asked the
paternal Government Of the United States
to extend its protecting hand IN the only
practical way to that people whom IL ls aad
relieved from state of bondage TO condition
of liberty and manhood; because the only safe.
ty In community for an individual is to hold
in the hand the ballot and to be equal In civil
and political privileges to any other man. 1t
is because such equality does not exist that we
suffer to-day in South Carolina, and In the
whole South, many of the evils under which
we live. To have any man not convicted OF
crime point to himself and say, "you have
barred me from privileges which you enjoy"
is political evil, the consequences OF which
are far greater In magnitude than Will arse
from admitting to complete equality, betorU
the law, those who were engaged in the Late
rebellion. --..,.-..,.. ,.,--,.,.-.
l stand on that platform where the great
majority Of the Republican party stand, and
where have no doubt the whole will stand in
very brief period. l am as well aware as
you are there are hundreds Of men over this
State who would if they could trample me un-
der foot, and sever my connection with the
Senate of the United States am well aware
whose political disabilities would have re-
lieved who would vote to Danish me, not only
from the Senate of the United States, but from
the State of South Carolina. But that is q
paltry, mean, low view Of the situation which
says that because man does or wishes wrong
to me, or holds different opinions ifrom me,
will forever bar him from participation In the
Government. England for centuries has been
practicing prescription against Ireland. WnaI
has been the history Of Ireland and England
How has the policy of prescription worked
there?
Mr.. President, do not wish to assert that
that the South, or any portion Of the South,
stands In the same relation that Ireland does.
to England. That Is an unnecessary question
for me to discuss. Bit the condition OF Ire
land for the last century is worth considera-
ton by the advocates ofa policy which would
forever keep from political power the large
mass of Southern people.
A word or two and am done. lam not 60
ing to weary the patience of this audience. 1t
has been said that am In favor Of Q white
mans government; that am opposed to the
that am not willing to give to the black man
his fair share Of offices, bis fair share of repre-
sentation In the Legislature Of the State aud
the National Government. No man who ntters
that saying has any conception of what am
or what believe. It is known, or can be
proved. that have recommended the appoint
ment Of more colored men to office under the
resenting this State, with the exception Of Mr.
Bowen.
Mr. Adams. ! rise to question Of prlvl-
lege. AS the committee on credentials are
ready to report, move that they be allowed
to submit their report
Mr. Sawyer. trust that 1 shall not detaiH
the convention much longer. was saying
representative Of the Second Congressional
District, no man In the State, and do not be-
lieve all the other representatives in the State
together, have recommended as many cOl0red
men to Office as have. ] am perfectly will
ling and shall always welcome black
man In the Senate of the United
States, 30 that he comes as an honest
man, as an American citizen, and not
simply as black man. If there is any one
thing taught by the lessons of the last ffty
years II there Is any one thing taught by the.
struggle through which we have gone; II
there Is anything taught In the Fourteenth and
Fifteenth amendment. 1t Is that the color Of a
mans skin s to be cast out of question in estl.
mating his value or his place In the communi-
ty. When hear men, like Mr.. Delaney and
Mr.. DeLarge, standing up here and advocat-
q colored race, advocating the sending Of q
man to Washington because be is a COL
are uttering dogmas which win not
only lnjure the Republican party. but serious
ly yjeopardize the interest of the black man.
vent me from uttering the truth. In oonver-
sation with my distinguished colored friend.
John NJ. Langston, whose intelligence towers
high above most others Of his race,
and l say 1t without meaning any
disparagement to them, he said to me in sub
stance, "Send no nan to Congress because he
is black. Put him in Office because he is
a &en hoa
der the best services Let there be no pam
derlng to the prejudice Of color" No trim
ming shall induce me to say what do not
believe. Thank God I have this consciousness,
that have never stood up In political as
sembly and uttered that which knew was not
the truth, or that which wonld not say In
my closet or to my God.
ask whether others can say as much? /
care not for the few Kisses heard In this hall
when nv name was called. 1 have gone
through life thus far poor man, often hardly
knowing where to get the means to meet my
necessary expenses; gone through too much
to be afraid to stand up and tell the truth, be-
cause, forseoth, 1t may tt the political occasion
to tell lie. have not served in that line. l
have wife and children. l shall die one OF
these days. God knows whether shall have
any legacy to leave them but good name.
do not propose to let that name be the name
of trimmer In politics or q beggar for votes,
at the sacrifice OF political honesty. Rather
let this hall echo and re-echo with Kisses when
my name is uttered, than get plaudts from
assembled multltudes ac the expense OF being
an honest man.
Lam done. did not expect to speak here
to-day. I have been often interrupted; my
remarks have been disconnected, but / think
YOU understand me. think the people of the
State will understand me. One word morc-
and tresspas no longer upon your patience.
objected to my addressing this convention
may say hereafter; however he may assail, In
whatever place, in whatever language, I re-
card him no more forever. make this an
nouncement, in this public place, that may
have done with an annoyance and pest, and
will not add another name which might be less
odorous even than that.