New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-02-26
5olii; Cares. a.s,
Plain and Sensible Talk From CCisre.i
COnSrassniaa,

Congressman r. 3. Elliott, (coIorelD VIII,
is now in Columbia, :. c., made rsDcech in
that city OH Monday night, in which he told
his hearers that the Taxpayers Convention
was no asscmblaGe of sorc-head5, but tllatis
was seeking to do the work which it was the
duty OF the Republican party to have accom-
plished. He condemned the State Admins
tration for its violation of solemn pledges,
and washed his hands Of all participation in
its bad faith. The salvation OF the Rcuubl.-
can party, he declared, depended upon It's
instant reform Of existing abuses. 4 grea.
change was taking place in the politics Of
the country, and it was useless for them -
shut their eyes to the fact. Ii Won 90 to the
North, he said, and mention the name Of
South Carolina, You will find the estimate
that they will put upon il there. 10 mention
South Carolina Is TO merit the sueCrs Of the
Commonwealth Of the North. When cor
ruption was spoken OF in other States, ii was
different thing; bat when it was spoken OF
IN South Carolina, it was laid to the blame
OF negro Government. It was, therefore,
the duty Of the colored people of South Car
DINA to demonstrate to the world that they
desired an honest Government. It was time
that they did something to remove this
stigma. Continuing, 1--WE quote from the
report in the Columbia Lnioa) he said: ''ir
Government is 10 90 on from bad 10 worse,
it would make the Representative ashamed
to rise up and plead their cause. It was with
the people to remedy this. He had told them
only Of what Frelinghuyscn, Dawes, Sumner,
Butler, and others were thinking; Of what
every man who had Travelled outside Of South
Carolina must have heard, if he kept his eyes
and ears open. The negroes having been
in the majority and voted the element into
power, they are responsible. They have been
deceived; will the people bc deceived II
second time? VIII you permit this state oil
things to continue? 1t cannot be hidden
that there is something rotten in Dcmark.--
There must be no promised reformation, buJ
practical reform. If there be any one N 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 is ready to cut aloof, upon the slightest
provocation, from the corruption now existing
in the South, and, unless You do something,
and that speedily, they will be compelled to
cut Off the rotten branches. lie had warned
| them of this more than year ago; this WGS
no new thing. One thing he knew-that,
instead of being better, ii appears to BE-
growing worse. The Taxpayers Convention
| is no sore-head movement. The people have
n right TO petition under the constitution, and
when il came it would come from his cOnsit-
uents. whether they voted for him or not and
he was bound to have it properly refereed
That petition will be considered; and do no.
allow yourself to be misled about it. The
only way you can prove that you sympathizc
with an honest administration OF affairs, Is
for YOU to give notice to those who have
maladministered affairs to quit-fOr you to
brine forward n new set of men. 1t IS your
duty to vindcate yourself and prove to the
world that you are in sympathy with all
those who want an honest Govern
ment. He had no cause here to announce,
or champion the cause Of any particular set.
But it was his duty to point attention 10
errors that have nearly resulted in the bank
ruptcy of the State. 1t was time that the
hands that had caused these errors were stay
ed. With the finances thriving and tho
agricultural interests increased, it would be
alike felt by the rich and the poor. If the
wealthy man suffers, the laborer suffers ten
fold; if his taxes bring burdens, he makes
them up from the laborers."
Mr.. Elliott closed by telling the men OF his
race how earnest was the public opinion OF
the country, and how unanimous was the
newspaper press in condemnation OF tue
corruption that reigns in South Car9una'