New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-03-19
AS LEGISLATORS.

The Test OF tsscis AUssssy tu ssOssss.
Carolina.
Speech Of Congressman Il. Z. Elliott in
Columbia.
FELLOW CITIzENs-I can hardly find
words wherewith to adequately express the
sense of gratitude that my heart al this mo-
ment feels for the many kind sentiments OF
approval that have been uttered by you as
to my course as your Representative in the
National Legislature. am equally destitute
of the power to summon forth to my aid ap-
propriate language whcrewith to testify TO my
heartfelt appreciation of your many manites-
tations OF friendship towards, and deep con-
fidence in, my humble self. must, therefore,
content myself with the mere commonplace
expression of sincere, genuine thanks, and my
| calncs assurance that shall ever strive to be
worthy of your confidence Indeed, fellow
| citizens, from the bottom of my heart, thank
you.
| Three years ago, after sharp and acri-
monious contest, it became my good fortune
! to be chosen by you as 4 Representative to
the most august parliamentary body on .hs
continent, the American Congress. 1t was,
indeed a highly distinguished honor, an honor
of which was sensibly proud.
| But, fellow citizens, amid the Civilizations
incident TO my success, l was deeply I'M
pressed with the importance Of so high q
station and the tremendous responsibilities
that rested upon me in the discharge of its
functions. felt then, as l feel now, that as
one of the pioneers in the national area OF IA
race just emerged from q long and gloomy
night of American bondage race still
weighted with heavy burdcns-I would bt
required to bring something worthy where
by to propitiate the judgment OF mankind.
ROBBED with the 'toga" Of a representative,
at once realized how much was expected o
me as national deputy Of a people but re
Gently infused as a new element into TIT
body polite. While could scarccly hope t
fill the measure of public expectation, !
nevertheless determined, under divine gui
dance to vindicate, to the best Of my abilit,,
the wisdom of that bcneficent policy whicl
struck from the limbs of four million Of human
beings the CALLING chains of slavery, and Iron
their low estate lifted them before the eye
of the world to the proud position of Ameri
can frcemen. Iresolyed to contribute m
humble share in illustrating the capacity
the negro for self-government, and in justify
ing the conduct of those of my white fellow
citizens who thought it no disgrace TO vot
for colOred men.
The condition of affairs in our State at tn
l tii0C VI lily llTSt ClCCIlOA SeiAA wv
your memories. Organized crime was dom
nant in many of our counties murder, una
dashed, stalked abroad: inoflensivc mer
women and children were being subjecte
nightly to outrage, many were falling victim
to midnight assasinations many were With
ing under the sting of the pitiless lash; Will
ma nv others. hunted for opinions sake, wer
fleeing to our capital as their ''city ofrefuge.
At such a time and amid such scenes ha
tened to Washington to assume the duties >,
NV Office. Shortly after it became me, in II
line ofmy duty, to invoke the exercise OF Il
national power for the protection OF America
citizens domiciled in our State.
During the consideration OF the eniorc
, mcnt bill, that great measure OF protection
, I had the privilege of taking part in the di
cussion. ishall never forget that day, wht
: rising in my place to address the House
found myself the centre ofattraction. Ever
, thing was still. Those who believe in Il
, natural inferiority Of the colered race appear
to feel that the hour had arrived in whi'
thew should exult in triumph over the failu
of the first man of ''the despised race" who
!, voice was about to be lifted in that chambe
t The countenances of thoseswho sympathiz
q with our canse seemed to indicate their anxl
ty for nv success, and their heartfelt desi
: that might prove equal to the emergenc
1 cannot, fellow-citizens, picture to you g
o emotions that then filed my mind.
oil p0v, h