The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-02-28
Speech OF Gen. Il. Is. Elliott,
AT, PUBLIC RECEPTION, THURSDAY
EVENING, FEBRUARY 10, 1874.

/ yss SKIS .It AK zEs' 49, 81 aaEHi-
Fellow -CITlzENs-<I eau hardly
find words whercwith to adequately ex
press the sense of gratitude that my
heart at this moment feels for the many
kind sentiment of approval that have
been uttered by you as to my course as
your Representative. in the National
Legislature. l am4equal!y destitute Of
the power to summon forth to my aid
appropriate Language wherewith to
testify to my hea; tfclt appreciation of
your many manifestations of friendship
towards, and deep confidence in, my
humble self. l must, therefore, content
myself with the mere common place ex
preston of sincere, gcnuins thanks, aud
my earnest 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 n sharp and
acrimonious contest, it became nv good
fortune to be chosen by you as a Repre-
sentative to the most august parliamen
tary body on this continent, the Amer
can Congress Il was, indeed, a highly
distinguished honor, an honor of which
| was sensibly proud
But, fellow citizens, amid the cxulta
tons incident to my success, | was
deeply impressed with the Importance Of
so high Il s'ation. and the tremendous
responsibilities that rested upon me in
the discharge of its functions. felt
then, rs feel now, that as one of the
loneers IN The national arena Of race
Just cn.cr.ed from long aud gloomy
"isht Vi y merican Londage-a race rtiil
weighted with heavy burdrns-I would
be required to briag something worthy
whereby TO propitatc the Judgment of
mankind Robtd with The ,toga" of n
Representative, at onrc re l,z, i II Nv
much WAS expected al mc as Il natur..! /!
7dcIuty oisa people bu' recently infused
us new lemcnt intn the h"ly rn.it;c
While ! could scar'rly ,nPc to Gil tn.
measure of public cxpccla II, never
thetcss d termlncl, un lar li:iu. sr.l
ahca, to y:n ,ic,te, To tl bus of nv
ability, the i>lo:n oi lit bcncliccnt
pplicy which strlck from the l.ulb Of
four millions Of human bcin.s tn
CALLING chains of slavery and from their
low estate lifted them before the eyes of
the world to the proud position of
American frecmcn resolved to con
tribute my humble share ia illustrating
the capacity of the negro for self govern
ment, and in justiiying the conduct of
those of my white fellow citizens who
thought it no disgrace to vote for
colored men.
The condition Of affairs in our State
at the time of my first election must
still be fresh in your memories. Organ
lied crime was dominant in many of
our counties; murder, una abashed, stalk
ed abroad ; inoffensive men, women nd
children were being subject nightly to
outrage; many were falling victims to
midnight assassination; many were
writhing under the sting Of the pitiless
lash ; while many others, hunted for
opinions sake, were fleeing to our
capital as their "oity Of refuge" At
such time and amid such scenes, |
hastcned to Washington to assume the
duties of my office. Shortly after, it
became me, in the line Of my duty, to
invoke the exercise of the national
power for the protection Of American
citizens domiciled in our State.
During the consideration Of the zen
forcement BILL" that great measure Of
protection, had the privilege Of taking
part in the discussion. ] shall never
forget that day, when, rising in my place
to address the House, | found m yself
the centre of attraction. Every,hing
was still. Those wis believed in the
natural inferiority Of the colored race
appeared to. feel that the hour had ar
rived in which they should exult in
triumph over the failure of the first
man Of "thc dcspisedarace' whose voice
was about to be lifted in that cha mbcr
The countenances of those who sympa
thized with our cause seemed to Indicate
their aniety for, my suocass, and their