Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-01-04

rights are in danger. The rocks and
shoals, torpedoes and hostile guns, are
ignorance, intemperance immortality, dis
honesty and corruption in high places.
The beacon lights ahead are honesty,
purity, virtue, intelligence, the school
house and the church. Keep her helm
steady towards these, and soon the ship
shall glide gently by the breakers into the
peaceful waters Of freedom, the stormy
threatening sky shall clear and melt into
the golden mellow light of dawning day.
Then when the Ship of State is safely
anchored in the honest hearts Of intelli-
gent freemen, the year Of freedoms jubi-
lee shall have come indeed
Sincerely your friend,
RUFUS SAxToN.
GEN. sMALLS REPLY.
BEAUFORT, S. c., Jan. l, 1872.
Gen. Rufus Sarton,
My Dear General:
You may be assured that my disap-
pointment in not having your pres
ence with us this day, must have equalled
yours in not being able to participate in the,
ninth anniversary of Lincoln's proclama-
ton of Emancipation at place near the
spot round which centres one at least Of
the most pleasing "reminiscences of your
past life.
There are at present in the Sd regiment,
from four to five hundred of those who en-
rolled in the 1st regiment, and who were
present under those giant oaks, and re-
joced that the year of jubilee had come,
who, when they heard that you were COM
ing amongst then, again, c1prcsseu their
pleasure in seeing their respected General
once more.
The sergeant who received the flag from
Col. Higginson on that ever memorable
day, is now Colonel of a regiment in
Edgefield, and is ever ready as he then
was, to defend the honor of the old lag
even with his life, if need be, but may that
time be far distant, when such sacrifice
NAV be demanded.
agree with you, that where there is so
much smoke there must be some fire, at
the same time, differ with you that the
republican party should be responsible tor
the action of few men who have prostitu
ted their high official position to the rob-
berry of the state treasury.
They were elected to Office for four
years, aud could not be got rid Of sooner,
but it is my firm conviction, that in the
coming campaign and election Of ~, the
voice of the people will be heard in unmis-
| taxable tones, and the colOred people OF
South Carolina will hurl back the base as
sertions Of their enemies, that on them
rests the responsibility and infamy of a
corrupt legislature, and will prove to the
world that the principles of universal suf-
frase was placed in safe keeping.
The reputation that l gained in bring
ing out the Planter. do not intend to
sully by my actions as member OF the
South Carolina legislature. As we'll as |
knew the beacon lights in the time of the
Planter, l know the beacon lights now,
and the channel that leads to honesty,
virtue, purity and intelligence, and trust
that may ever be found working with
those who are anxious to guide the ship
of State of South Carolina from the
dark and troubled waters in which
she is now sailing, safe past the
rocks, torpedoes and hostile guns of ig-
norance intemperence, imm orality, and
dishonesty in high places TO the calm and
placid waters Of that harbor where relig-
gious, social, moral and political purity
reign supreme.
have refrained from saying anything
on the matter of impeachment because
from the position hold as senator, ] shall
be juror when these men come to trial,
and therefore it becomes my duty to keep a
silent tongue and quietly await the action
of the House, but when the time comes
my voice will be heard assisting in the
conviction of those men whom l believe
to be dishonest, ard my verdict will be in
accordance with the evidence adduced-
again expressing my regret at your ap-
! Sence.
l remain sincerely yours,
ROBERT SMALLs.
Gen. Smalls proposed three cheers for
Gen. Saxton, which were given with a
will, and three more for Gen. Hunter, the
man that first organized colored regi'
ment
GEN. wHIPPER's SPEECH.
FeIIov citizenS-This is the ninth ami.
versary of the day upon which that proc
lamation went forth to the world that
spoke freedom 10 you and to me. [ had
the honor upon the first anniversary Of
this occasion. the first day Of January,