The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-06-22
A NEGRO Partyi

A call has been issued for the assembling
at Columbia, South Carolina, next October
OF convention of colored men. "For the
purpose of more thorough organization and
united effort, Us the published invitation
states the object of the meeting, the colored
citizens of the. States of Alabama, Arkansas
delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Lou.
lsana, Tennessee, Maryland, Mississippi,
Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and the
Territory of Columbia, are invited to send
delegates--one from each Congression-
al district.
:! The language ofthis invitation Is signif.
cant; it implies tho existence of partial or
ganization already among the colored peo-
pie, and indicates some important ulterior
object to be subserved by closer union and
moro harmonious efforts. There are two
constructions of this movement of the negroes
possible, but only onese9 these two interpre-
tatiens is sustained by even the shadow of
probability. 1t is possib1e that. the negroes,
growing restive under their absolute mental
domination to the carpet Dagger, desire some
common basis of action Independent of the
bad political influences which have hereto
fore swayed them. I'm all probability, how
ever, this coming Columbia convention will
devolope into Radical coup detat to secure
the united negro vote Ct the Southern States.
Even in the absence of all other evidence,
there is quite enough in call of a convention
OF the colored citizens of the late slave-hold-
ing States; (for It includes none of the old
free States to demonstrate the fact that
they design to act in body, and that the
convention will be merely party move
mept. .
The negroes have not lost the unity which
has heretofore carried them to the polls in
solid phalanx for the Radical candidates.
And the tendency, as is shown by the pro-
claimed objects of this convention is to still
greater unity in opposition to the assertion
ofthe influence and power Of the white men
in the political control Of the Southern States.
1t presents very much the appearance of a
contest of races; not of course, physical con-
fict, but of embittered political antagonism.
The negro again prepares to draw the lines
of race, and the Southern white man, now
as in the early days of reconstruction, shows
reluctance to accept the gage of battle. At
last, however, he will rise in his might, and
assert the power and dignity Of his race.
In all but two, perhaps three Southern
States, the Demo cratic and Conservative
masses have sufficient strength, if properly
directed, to laugh at all attempts to re-estab-
tish negro domination. Nor do we despair
Of seeing the better class Of white Rcpubli-,
cans'in the south-some of whom, from
feeling Of opposition to their ancient politi-
cal foes of the Democratic party, have gone
into an unnatural alliance with negro party
cut loose from this organization when they
see its nature and tendency fully developed.
But, however, this may be, all Conservative
men who love their race more than party,
and who are determined that the black ban
ner of negro Radicalism shall never be faunt-
ed in their faces, or wave in triumph ovor
them an !, their children, will stand shoulder
to shoulder to avert from other. Southern
States the disgrace and ruin that have fallen
upon South Carolina. Let all such be warn
ed by what they have seen and what is even
now transpiring around them to prepare for
the contest ahead Wilmington Star.