Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-08-07
The Difference Between Social
Equality and Equal Political
Rights,

The Difference Between Social
Equality and Equal Political
Rights.
The following letter from Genera
M. C. Butler, the candidate for Lieu
tenant Governor in the Reform can
vass in 1870, is printed in tie Angus
ia Chronicle and Sentinel:
EDITORS CHRONICLE AND SENT.
MEL, AUGUSTA, Ga: I'm an editorial
in your issue of the.5 18th instant
headed" Beauregard and Unification,
you refer to a canvass made in this
State, in 1870, and. say -" We have
pretty much the. same opinion of the
present movement in Ipuisiana as we
had Of the Reform movement in
South Carolina, a few years since
While we could not and did not ap-
prove of their platform, which was
Of the pepper-and-salt complexion
we determined that If the people ol
Carolina could stand it we could"
And further: Why should we peo-
pie of Georgia repudiateand denounce
Hampton and Butler: and Kershaw
for making square, manly effort to
redeem their State from Radical
misrule ?"
You will pardon ME for excepting
to the tone of.the aboye extracts, and
suggesting that you should have in
formed yourself more thoroughly Of
the "Reform movement in South
Carolina" before making this sweep.
ing comparison, and have understood
the status of all the gentlemen re-
ferred TO touching said Z" Reform
movement" before committing them
all to its support.
General Kershaw anu I did en-
dorse and support, and, in fact, pre-
pare the platform Of the " Reform
movement of 1902 General Hamp-
ton had not only nothing to do with
the preparation of that platform. but
disapproved oft, and his support Of it
was due entirely to his personal regard
and relations to General K. and myself.
This much is due to. General Hamp-
ton Herewith 7 enclose the plat
form of the Reform movement" OF
1870, and beg that You will either
thcr publish it side BY side with the
Unifcation address of Louisiana,
or point out to your readers the an
alogy between the two. If you vii!
do this, shall be content; but |
have no idea of permitting You, in
this cursory manner, to pass Judg-
ment upon two movements, which ]
regard as essentially different, with
out hearing of both sides.
Do not understand me as repudia-
ting the Reform 1pvement" OF 1870.
int5sit q lys~-I- thought
it wise, proper and judicious then.
l think 50 now, and i'll support Of
this opinion, and in the light OF sub
scquent events, | refer ycnr readers
to the action of the Democratic par
ty in the last Presidential election,
and, if stronger proof were necessa-
~. I refer them to ;he action OF "Se.
the people Of Georgia, in said dlec.
ton, and, in fact, | may refer "hem
to the staunch, incorporating al.
.vocacy of the Chronicle aud SENT
mel, Of the "p4pper-and-salt COM
plexion" Of the Greeley movement.
held the opinion in 1870 and so
hold now, that the only hope Of the
Souh i.a unlicatioa OF the whites,
noa against ihc negro, but !,pr the
protection Of themselves, aud by Il
candid recognition OF the rights OF
the negro as secured 10 him by the
constitution and laws, to recover hi
confidence and secure his aud i'll re-
storing order and prosperity to the
country.
mav be permitted in this connec-
ton to commend the spiritwith which
you have alluded to General Beaure-
yard's recent position. Greater tol-
erarce towards those who differ with
us in opinion, and less personal Will
Gcation and aspersion Of motives Of
those whose services to the country
entitle them to some consideration,
would accomplish better result. Gen
eral Bcauresard undoubtedly lays
himself open TO criticism when he as
sumes to suggest policj for the
public, but he is a gentleman whose
character and public services should
protect HIN egalnst liberal comment
and Misrepresentation. Very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
NJ. C.. BUTLER.
Columbia, S. G, Ja'y lG, 1873.