Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-09-12
GENERAL WHIPPER INTERVIEWED.

While the Irregular" and the "Bolters"
Conventions were in session at Columbia,
Gen. Whipper was interviewed" by repor-
ter for the New York Herald. Gen. Whip
per, it will be remembered, is full blooded
negro, practising lawyer and a member of
the House Of Representatives from Beaufort
county. The following is report of the Gin
terview" as published in the Herald:
General, do you think there will be any
considerable number of colored men who will
vote for Greeley for President next Novem-
ber ?"
General Whipper-No; I do not think
there will. There will be some, to be sure,
but I think scarcely corporal's guard in this
State.
"You regard it, men, beyond the power Of
any human agency which might be invoked
to carry the State for Greeley?"
General Whipper-I do. The colored vote
of the State is as certain to be cast for Grant
as that the majority of the votes of the Con.
vention we're cast for Moses.
"Do you not think it strange that the col
ored people should refuse to vote for Mr.
Greeley, the best part of whose life has been
devoted to securing their liberation from sla-
very, and subsequently their enfranchisement
as citizens of the United States ?"
General Whipper-Yes, it does seem rath-
er strange, but there are various and very
cogent reasons why it should be 80. The
coIored people are deplorably ignorant in the
first place. They were born, baptized and
whatever political education they have was
obtained in the Republican party, of which
General Grant is the recognized leader and
standard bearer. Sad experience at the hands
of the white people has taught them to regard
with suspicion and distrust the candidates.
either State or national, supported by the
white people. The very support of Mr.. Gree
ley by the whites leads the colored people, in
their ignorance, to regard him as Democrat
a secessionist, and worse, still, perhaps, ku
klux, and hence they could not be induced to
vote for him under any circumstances what
ever.
(which of the Presidential candidates do
you individually prefer?"
General Whipper-Pesonally and, per-
haps, politically, 1 prefer Greeley, but policy,
my own interest and, at present, the interests
of my race in this State demand that [ should
support Grant, which intend to do in the
campaign with all my power and ability
wherever find it needed. It would be mad
ness in me or any other colored or white pub
lie man in this State to array himself on the
side of Greeley. 1t would be but brief pre-
lude to his political death and burial without
the slightest hope of resurrection by either
party.
EDO the colored people know or appreciate
the great debt of gratitude they owe to Mr..
Greeley"
General Whipper-The intelligent and ed
ucated among them do; the great mass, who
are ignorant, do not !; and while great many
of the former will support and vote for him, a
great many others bitterly condemn him for
his apostacy, as they regard it, in going over
to the Democrats. If the white people Of the
South were not so enthusiastic and earnest in
the support of Mr.. Greeley, it would be an
assurance to the colored people that his repub-
licanism was as staunch and true as ever !;
but as it is, they think him as good Demo
crat as Frank Blair.
"You do not doubt the genuineness of Mr..
Greeley's Republicanism p
General Whipper-Oh, no; and but for
prudential and the very soundest reasons, I
would vote for and support him, as said be-
fore.
"Is it not your opinion that the rights and
privileges of the colored man would be as Be-
cure under Greeley for the next four years as
they would be under Grant,"