The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-10-24
*Not a candidate.
An Encouraging Sign for the Future.

All EUCUuIdgfiiY oi9u foi 1"O Ns0A ..
The Columbia Picnic, in commenting upon
the recent election in this State, evolves sign
of encouragement for the future, namely, the
independent action of many colored voters
throughout the State. 1t gives us pleasure TO
add that this noticeable feature was plainly
visible among the colored people Of Anderson
County, and that we concur with the senti-
ments Of our cotemporary. There is reason to
hope that much. good will result to the COM
monvealth, now that the eyes of the blacks are
even partially opened to the rascalities and
plundering proclivities Of their recent leaders
They are fast becoming convinced that their
rights and privileges under the law are fully
secured and that their white neighbors are not
at all disposed to interfere or prevent their
legitimate exercise. Hence, We unite with the
PAenir in its expression of encouragementand
hope: ....,...
There is one feature of the State canvass just
ended, which we regard as the first hopeful
sign vet given of the possible political refor..
nation Of our .plundered and misgoverned
State. We refer to the independence which
large numbers of the colored people exhibited
in the exercise of their right of suffrage. Hith-
erto, at every election in the State since their
participation in the rights and privileges of
citizenship they have voted, in a solid mass.
the party ticket, without questioning, and, ap-
parently, without caring for the character OF
their candidates. p 49,, -
They had been taught to regard it almost q
crime to depart, in. the least degree, from the
course dictated by their leagues and cpnVen-
tions. They looked upon their ticket with
eyes of idolatrousi devotion, and were utterly
deaf to all appeals, which might be made TO
them to alter or, amend it in any way. s. This
time we find their vote fuctuating to q sur
prising extent, even among the candidates up:
on the regular ticket; M .,3gr,
AS general thing, the men of better charac-
ter have polled the largest vote At any rate,
preference has been shown, and thousands OF
the colored people have voted as in their judg-
ment was best, and not simply as their leaders
directed. If the Boilers had been elected, the
colored people would have been freed at once
from the .thraldom of party tyranny, and the
final redemption of the State assured. AS it
is, the ice has been broken, and yTe are firmly
impressed with the inspiring faith that South
Carolina's night of degradation and misrule is
drawing to q close. We shall have an ugly
time Of it, doubtless, for two years more, and
be subjected to taxation far more burdensome
than any we have yet experienced.
But the feast of the thieves is drawing to
close. There is an outside pressure in the daily
increasing public sentiment at the North in to-
vor of change of the national policy towards
the South, and an inside pressure from large
portion of the colored citizens in the State,
which the public plundererS who have been
despoiling the State for the past four years can
not much longer successfully resist
If the white people remain true to them
selves, and true to their State, her redemption
is assured, and future in store for us more
glorious than our past. There is no State on
the Atlantic coast more admirably situated
than our own. We have two fine harbors,
large and increasing railroad facilities, the
finest climate in the world, fertile soil, large
mineral resources, manufacturing advantages
of high order, an active, energetic, high-toned
people, in short, every requisite except good
government 70 make prosperous, happy and
great commonwealth. -9i2f :,
Good government We must and will have II
our people remain staunch and true, and will
take the necessary steps to insure success.
We believe that the best and most capable
man in the State can be made Governor at the
next election.