The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-02-26
Speech of Hon. r. B. Elliot.

Club No. 2 Monday evening, at Carolina Hall
in Columbia, the following report Of which We
take from the Union. A large number Of per-
sons were present, who were not connected
with the. Club, and who speak we'll of the ad'
dress:
The Speaker referred to the Tax-pa
Convention; he believed that a great mistake
had been made in thinking that it was place
where buncombe was to be found. 1t was tht
duty Of the Republican party to accomplish
the objects they sought for.
He referred also to his course two years ago
and that he had been before the people, pledg.
ing honesty and fair dealing. How well this
administration had performed those pledges
the people could Judge of. So far as he wa:
concerned, he had carried out every promise
and every pledge. BE had found out early
that he had no part or lot in that administration
that he was stranger in his own camp. His
conscience approved of the course he had pur.
sued. -. i-'.'5 ''." %"
As to the selection of candidates for the
next election, he submitted that now was the
time to begin to select men who would reform
the abuses in the Republican party. It was a
duty to do it; that the salvation of the party
depended upon such efforts, that there was no
doubt of change taking place in the politics
of the country, and that it was the duty of his
hearers to understand this, and so conduct
themselves that they may have foothold. II
you 60 to the Nofth-in any Northern State
and mention the name of South Carolina, you
will find the estimate that they will put upon
it there. To mention South Carolina, is to
merit the sneers of the commonwealths of the
North.
When corruption is spoken of in other
States, it was different thing; but when it was
spoken of in South Carolina, it was laid to the
blame of negro government. 1t was, therefore,
the duty of the colored people of South Caro-
lima to demonstrate to the world that they de-
sired an honest government. 1t was time that
they did something to remove this stigma.
There are men of ability, character and stand
ing in the Republican party to do this. All that
was needed was for movement to be ear, estly
set on foot to do this. His conversations with
all statesmen were impressed with the idea
that something was to be done. There must
be change, rectiication and relief, and it
must come from the colored men of South Car
olina. This is not boon to be conferred upon
any one else, but upon yourselves. No class
of men could suffer without all suffered. 1t
was the time when the colored people of South
Carolina should place themselves in line for
the battle of life. The time is fast approach
ing when the black man shall be regarded for
his worth as q man, morally and intellectually /;
when they shall stand up for themselves, labor
for themselves and provide for themselves as
other citizens do.
He dwelt at length upon the question of
labor, and argued that it would amount to
nothing 80 long as directed by brute force. and
not by the agencies that Scontrol it in other
parts of the world. Regarding immigration,
he said there was cause to be fearful OF the
results, if labor was not made intelligent and
skilled. If it was made skilled, the people Of
the State would prefer the colored laborer. If
this cannot be done, then the white employer
will prefer to have white labor. This is the
only plan. 1t lays with you to remedy. Men
are coming into the State who are skilled, and
the skilled mechanic will always command bet
ter rates than the unskilled. 1t is a practical
question, and lays with the people. 1t was
nonsense to talk about the immigrants doing
anything. There may be some politics in the
but he was not afraid of that; it
was the natural effect only that he was afraid
of. These immigrants were not men who came
here as slaves, or as men who were dictated to
as to whom they should vote for. It was not
the political effect-only the effect it would
have upon industry.
Speaking of the character of the Govern
ment he said:
The negroes having been in the majority and
voted the element into power, they are RESPONSE
BILE. They have been deceived will the peo-
pie be deceived second time? Will you per-
NIT this state of things to continue? 1t cannot
be hidden that there is something rotten in
Denmark. There must be no promised refor-
nation, but practical reform. IF there be any
one in the way of that reform, he should be at
once removed out of the path, and now is the
time to do it. The national Republican party
to-day was ready to cut aloof upon the slight
est provocation from the corruption now exist
ing in the South, and unless you do something,
and that speedily, they will be compelled to
cut off the rotten branches. He had warned
them of this more than a year ago this was
no new thing. One thing he knew, that in
stead of being better, it appears to be growing
worse.
The question of the Taxpayers Convention
is no sore-head movement. The people have q
right to petition under the Constitution, and
when it came it would come from his constitu-
ents, whether they voted for him or not, and
he was bound to have it properly referred.
That petition will be considered and do not
allow yourselves to be misled about it. The
only way you can prove that you sympathize
Tsn to on give notice to those who malad
ministered affairs to quit; for you to bring
forward new set of men. It is your duty to 9
vindicate yourself, and prove TO- to the ne world
that you are in sympathy with those who want
an honest government. he had no cause here
to announce or champion the cause of any
d. particular set. But it was his duty to point
attention to errors that have nearly resulted in
the bankruptcy Of the State. 1t 1t was time time
were stayed. 1t does not mean the ascendancy
Of one particular set of men over another, but
it means order and good government The
opposite course would breed revolution and
anarchy.
"A Western editor has put into practice
plan which will enable all papers to dispense
with the usual fighting member Of the staff.
One morning, he was waited upon by the big
l,,,stl and