The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-10-08

country, l left my wife and little ones on my
plantation, with about one hundred slaves, and
returned only to find that they were alive and
we'll, and had been properly taken care OF, and
l registered VOW then that l would never for
[ sake nor forget the interests of these people,
who had been 80 true to me and mine. When
we came into power in this State, we found
ourselves burdened with a debt which some
estimated at S25,000000. The pledges made
in 1872 we're kept, and those made since will
also be kept. Under Scott's administration
$4,000 900 in bonds was appropriated for the
building of the Blue Ridge Railroad, and these
bonds were pledged for $500 900 to certain par
ties in New York. A proposition was made in
the Legislature that the bonds be surrendered
to the State, which was never carried out.
When the war ended, the State debt was
S5, 100000, and since that time various bonds
have been issued, amounting to about IS 000,-
600 more. 1t has been alleged that Mr.. Cham
berlain was connected with the manipulating
of the Conversion bonds, but he had nothing
to do with them, for member of the Senate
drafted the bill. About 81 10000 of Pay Ger
tifcates were issued, all of which were fraudu-
lent. The Republican party has saved to the
State about SIS 100000 within the last few
years, and it is determined that better state
| VI tulilbS Sudll CUIuc W PASS duu Iudt du uOu-
est reform shall be made.
] As soon as Gen. Melton finished speaking,
Gen. Harrison arose, and said That four years
ago, during the canvass of the State by Car
penter, he was charged with having something
to do with the Blue Ridge railroad bonds, and
to-day it was also insnuated. He said I do
not deny that took some of the money appro-
priated and used it for honest work upon the
road and before I resigned the presidency I
returned all the bends to the State Treasurer.
/ have not received one dollar of scrip from
the Blue Ridge Railroad Company. 1 shall
not support, neither shall oppose Mr. Cham
berlain for Governor. 1 am opposed to the
principle which he has advocated that, to the
victor belong the spoils, but am in favor of
all men should be equally represented, in order
Majorities should not rule simply because :hey
have the mere preponderance of power, but in
every free, enlightened government, all classes
should be represented alike.
Hon. S. L. Hoge was next introduced, and
said: do not propose to misrepresent any
party, but it is my duty to work in the interests
of the Republican party. did not hear Mr..
Chamberlain say that he was in favor of ma
jorities ruling, or strict party representation,
but believe somewhat in the old Jacksonian
Democracy, that to the victors truly belong the
spois. have found that the Blue Ridge
Railroad was swindle from beginning to end,
and only regret that some Of the thieves con-
nected with this grand swindle are not in the
Penitentiary. Judge Green will be supported
by the Democratic party, and probably by a
few thousand Republicans. The object of this
Green movement is to get enough Republicans
to cooperate with the Democratic party of this
State in order to insure a majority, and to
break up the Republican party, and should this
ever take place, you are gone forever, like your
brethren of Georgia and other Democratic
States In order to accomplish practical re-
formation in government, Governor not only
is necessary, but also legislative assembly that
will be composed of good, honest and able men.
I am in favor of civil rights, and if elected, and
the bill comes up in Congress, | shall certainly
vote for it; but am also in favor of its being
enforced, not only in the Southern, but also in
the Northern States, and in every State in the
Union. As l said before, if the Democratic
party ever gets into power i'll this State, you
will be subjected to the same outrages and cru
elites which the Democratic party has inflicted
upon the colored people in other States where
they govern. I have only to refer you to late
!
Democratic States of Tennessee and Kentucky,
where unoffending colored persons have been
murdered in their BEDS There is no protection
for the colored race outside of the Republican
ranks, and l sincerely hope that they will ever
remain true to its principles
Hon. J. P. Reed addressed the Chair, and
said that he arose to declare his true principles
since some of the speakers had declared him
to be Republican. He said In a mass meet
ing of citizens held at this place on yesterday l
offered series of resolutions, saying that it was
our best policy not to make any nomination for
Governor, but to endeavor to elect able and
honest men to our Legislative assembly. l
have always been straight out Democrat, and
never did believe in halfhanded measures,
therefore, l thought it best for the country and
for the people to accept the regular Republican
nominee for Governor, than to endorse the
half-handed movement which brings forward
Judge Green. For the last four years l have
not engaged in politics, and have always be-
lieyed that the evils which now beset us were
brought about by corrupt legislation. II L
have to take any side in the coming contest for
Governor, prefer to take the regular Cham-
berlain ticket
Mr.. w. S. Brown then followed Mr. Reed,
and said that he was surprised at the course
the gentleman had taken, and appealed to the
colored people in favor of Judge Green He
said that the incendiary and indecent language
used by Judge Hoge in his speech was likely
to have bad influence upon the colored peo-
pie, since he endeavored to excite their passions
by summing up outrages which had been COM
mitted in other States and attributing their
committal to the Democracy.
A few remarks were then made by Col.
Wilkes, after which, resolutions endorsing Mr.
Chamberlain were passed.
The meeting then adjourned.