The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-22
The Radical county Convention.

and Judicial Conventions, which met in Col
umbia yesterday. There were some intimations
ahoat that the brethren were not altogether
harmonious and that there was likely to be
trouble in the camp, unless certain men were
chosen as delegates or in the event of certain
others being selected But this rumor proved
fallacious, and if there we're any discordant
elements prior to the meeting, the "bloody
chasm" was temporarily closed, at least.
At an early hour, the delegates met in eau
Gus, at the new building of Mr. John R. Coch-
ran, for purposes of consultation and speech
making. We gained access to the room after
the caucus had been in progress for some time.
Judge Orr was making speech as We entered,
and was enchanting his dusky hearers with the
pre-eminent virtues and qualifications of Gen.
Grant for another Presidential term. The
Judge then directed his batteries against the
nominee of the Liberal Republicans and Dem
ocrats, and among other things said that the
election of Mr.. Greeley, while not taking away
the right of negroes to vote, would so hamper
and restrict their exercise of the right of suf-
frage that it would be practically of little value
to them. He failed to show, however, the
manner in which this would be accomplished
by the election of Mr.. Greeley, who was among
the earliest champions of Impartial Suffrage
in the United States. In regard to State affairs,
the Judge entreated all possible harmony and
unity among the Radical brethren, and depre-
Gated any split in the State Convention. He
said the Democrats were encouraging dissension
and division, and he believed that, in case of
there being two wings of the Radical party
presenting State ticket and opposing each
other, the Democrats would nominate full
ticket one or two weeks prior to the election,
and thus secure the downfall of both wings.
He wanted the State Convention to nominate
honest men, and he believed that such nomina-
tions would be made. He would support the
nominees, unless they were class of men that
he would be obliged to spew out of his mouth.
When Judge Orr concluded his remarks,
which were frequently applauded, Henry Ken
nedy took the chair and called the delegates to
order. Prayer was offered by Rev. F. S. Nor
ris, after which motion was made to appoint
committee of nine on credentials, which was
adopted.
When the committee had retired, a call was
made upon J. S. Murray, Esq, for speech.
He promptly responded, and in the beginning
of his remarks, regretted that the whole country
was not going to vote for Grant at the election
in November, as he believed it was the duty of
every one to sustain Grants administration,
which he extolled for its wisdom, patriotism
and ability. He reviewed the political meas
ures since the war, and in reference to the
platforms of the two parties now before the
country, he did not understand that there was
any difference of principles, if the Greeley
party were faithful to their pledges. But he
was doubtful on this point, and thought there
was obliged to be deception in some form prac-
ticed upon the people. Either Greeley, turn
ing back upon the record of his entire life, must
go over to the Democrats, or the Democrat
ic party will be deceived by supporting him for
the Presidency, and Mr.. Murray thinks it
probable that unfaithfulness will be manifested
by Mr.. Greeley, whom he characterized as
nondescript in politics. He further expressed
the belief that two Democrats will vote for
Grant to where one will vote for Greeley, and
that Grant will carry Virginia, West Virginia,
North Carolina and probibly Georgia. He
thought that the election of Grant would insure
perpetuation of the peace, prosperity and hap
piness we are now enjoying ~ to such large
extent, and that the election of Greeley would
bring an upheaval of angry passions SO that
confusion, turbulence and revolution would
follow. Mr.. Murray was entirely silent upon
the subject of reform in State politics.
Upon motion of delegate, Judge Orr then
read the recent letter of Fred. Douglas to the
colored people, urging upon them hearty and
united support of Gen. Grant in the coming
election.
Green D. Williams, a colored delegate, took
the floor, and said that he did not feel compe-
tent to argue questions of national importance,
but he thought the most imperative duty upon
the colored people of South Carolina at this
time was to stay the corruption existing among
public officials in this State, and to put honest
Republicans into Office. He wanted to send
men to Columbia who would fight against cor
rupt ofice-holders, and prevent the nomination
of those who were concerned in the extrava-
gance and corruption of the past four years.
He was proceeding to denounce the old leaders
with vim. when his remarks were interrupted
by the return of the committee on credentials,
and he was obliged to yield the floor
The report of the committee was adopted,
showing that every township was represented
except the Dark Corner. A resolution was
then adopted that all persons be requested to
retire, except the delegates, members of the
press, and candidates for Office. The roll oi
delegates was then called, and the Convention