The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-05-18

the spirit of the people of the South. There
was q time when we did not welcome Yam
kes, because ne thought he was an aboli-
tioUsH; we had those differences. and predu-
dices against the Worth. But nowit is differ.
ent. The people Of the North are labor.g
under mistake They say that the opposition,
we feel 10 the presest government is because
they are Republicans. No siri It is because
of corrussien of government. When men
take money out of our pockets when we have
not got it, when they confscate QUIZ lands, 1t is
time we shoEld be heard. When asy attempt
is made to protect our rights-to STRIFE back as
would brutc-they cry cst that we are waging
war against the General Governments. Are
they not plundering Us unoer' the forms OF the
law?
submit that we are not here in opposition
to the General Government. am glad. to see
the spirit of the letter of the Artorney General
ofthis State IL the Governor and Attorney
General mean what they say they do, it will
be an entering wedge to the sfstem of cumssla-
tive voting. regret that | have been be-
trayed into these remarks. I must ackno~i-
voting, until heard it here from Nh: Thomas.
l only take plain practicable view of the sub
ject. Such, gentlemen, are my views and
MR. CANNON SPECIE
Mr. Cannon said:
l fear we. have Misunderstood the. reasons
for which we have assembled. We do not
come here in opposition to. any government,
United States or State We do. not oppose
any party. acknowledge the reconstruction
acts, and for one, intend to obey shenA as the
law Of the land. Let us look about and try
to discover if there be- evils. We are. here to
see fraud does exist. Lam glad to see.that the
assistance of State officials is tendaredi us. !!
hope that the account Of this Convention will
correct many false impressions that have gone
abroad throughout the State. | regret that
the State, and hope that the members will
use all their influence to. preserve the public
peace More time Is needed to examine into
this system of cumulative voting. l, therefore,
move that the resolutions be referred to the
Executive Committee.
Mr.. Warley proposed that When their guns
were cooked and loaded. they should 60 Oft
Ifthey had had specimen Of the kind of dis
cussion they were going to have, be wanted to
hear no more Of it. He moved to lay the mo-
ton of Mr. Cannon on the table.
The motion was withdrawn. the Chair rui-
ing that it was not proper to refer the report OF
one standing committee to another standing
committee.
General Chestnut then addressed the Chair IN
favor of the report, requesting that 1t be re-
read, which was done.
Mr.. CHAMBERLAIS's SPEECH.
At the conclusion of the reading Of the re-
port, Mr.. Chamberlain arose and spoke, in sub
stance, as follows:
had hoped to address the Convention at
some length upon this subject. l feel, how
ever, that can better forward the good of this
Convention by con6ning myself to very few
remarks.
We are here, if we are honest in the declara-
tions we have made assembled as citizens of
the State, not as members of political parties,
which divide the State or nation, but simply to
look to the common interest Of the State whose
name and fame we all profess to cherish. My
position, as every one must be aware, is pc
culiar and, I may add, in many of its features,
a trying one, because am appearing here to-
night in this Convention, which represents
party to which do not belong; and l leave
behind me those who are my associates. l
have to say to those who sit around me, that
am here in honesty only to save our common
peace and welfare and have to say to those
who have taunted ME, because l am here,
neither they nor any one else can read me out
of any party to which choose to ally myself.
Pardon me if say sm Republican-and it
is because choose to yindicate the decency OF
republcanism, that say it.
Now lying at the foundation of this movement
I see something that shall again place the con-
troll of public affairs in South Carolina In the
hands Of those who represented its interests IN
times past. confess there is something that
moves me in the idea that the voice of the op..
position in South Carolina shall be again heard
within the walls of her Legislature. Ap"
plause.
am, in its proper sphere, partisan. 1t is
necessary to introduce into that which controls
the Legislature of South Carolina to-day, some
modifying influence. In looking about for
some device, without violence to the iunda-
mental principles upon which government rests,
that should bring to, us relief from these
grievances, have fixed upon this system which
is SO ably presented in the report OF your COM
mittee.
,.-Gentlemen of the Convention, that system is
right i. its Republicanism, in its justice. and
in theory. 1t takes rothing from the rights OF
the majority and leaves them all they now have
1t gives them dominating control. but does
not give them the absolute disposition o. the
government of the State. 1t is no new thing,
that the presence of one honest man puts to
fight band of robbers. Applause. am
talking of general truths, am casting retiec-
tons on no man, or set Of men,.
Take this system of cumulative voting, you
take nothing from the rights of the majority,
while you place in the lower house about forty
seven men who will be, ifyou. are true to your
interests, your most valued citizens. Then bad
legislation will cease, and good legislation be.
gin. Is it not fair? Is it not generous in us
to grant this? five grantit, it is simplyjustc:e;
simply right. 1t is right in principle. In its
Immediate result you are relieved from present
grievances, and pointed to lasting prosperity IN
future say to you. give us, who have some
thing to do with making this practicable, some
thing we can take back to our own political asso-
catGs. Will not this Convention, by unani-
nous vote, strengthen us who desire to do what
in us lies? No greater object, no higher aim
could animate any body of men.
VIOLATIONS OF LAWS.
NJ. rLoe+,,t fro,Y, tho Eyacutiye Commit