The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-11-18
The Political Conference at Columbia

A conference Of representative mel
from various sections of the State Wa
held in Columbia, according to ap
pointment, on Friday night last. b.
sides the resident members Of the Ex
ccutive Com mittee Of the Reform par
| ty, there were present a numbe, o
substantial citizens who had made
themselves acquainted with the drlt
of public opinion in general, as vel
as with tho desires of the people il
the counties in which they live.
The object and purposes of tho con
ference having been explained by th'
chairman, each member of the confer
ence was. in turn, invited to expires:
his views. This was followed by 9
general discussion Of the political con
dition of the State, the result being g
disposition to indicate for adoption 9
line of policy which, it is hoped, will
be acceptable BY all our people. That
policy will develop itself as rapidly as
circumstances admit, but We may state,
by authority, what arc its leading and
most important features.
Tho conference gave no hint, and
had evidently no thought, of receding
in any way from the recognition of
accomplished facts which was the
foundation Of the Reform movement.
1t was assumed and 40 expressed, that
those who supported the Reform par
ty in the canvass now ended had &C
cepted it's platform in sincerity and
good faith, and had no dishonorable
purpose of breaking. in the hour of
defeat, the solemn pledges which were
expected to smooth the way to victo.
ry. There was, also, an unequivocal
determination to support and encour-
age the colored men who, by their
conduct at the recent elections, had
proved, at once, their man.iness and
honesty of intention. The confere. &C
also made it manifest that a cordial
greeting would be- extended to every
colorcd man who, in the future, should
array himself against the unprincipled
who seek their own for
tune in the ruin Of the State. An am
pie consideration was given to the sub
ject of the frauds perpetrated by the
Radical party at the State elections,
and measures were taken for bringing
all offenders, as far as possible, before
the civil tribunal.
1t was deemed necessary that the
people should continue to be organ
lied throughout the State, but, at the
same time, the conference as one man,
declared its determination to use eve
ry exertion in discountenancing open
and secret violence, and in maintain
ing good order and peace. Upon this
point there was absolutely no differ.
cnce of opinion, and the expressions
of the several members were as posi-.
tive and as deliberate as the most con-
citizen could desire.
The action Of the conference was
and harmonious, and has
our entire approval. To abide by the
principles which were advocated by
the Reformers in the late canvass; to
protect the colored men who were in
telligent enough to know the right,
and honest enough to do it; to well
come all colored men who desire to
enter the Conservative ranks; to calm
he public mind, and pursue evenly
firm, wise and temperate course
this, in our judgment, is, at this juno
ture, the only policy calculated to
restore public confidence. and to make
certain the ultimate redemption of
The State. And this, as We under
stand it, is the public policy which
he Columbia Conference would
for the adoption Of the
Charleston NeaOs.