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

party.
REPUBLICAN, MEETING AND POLITE
CAL SPEECHES.
A large number of both white and colored
citizens assembled in the Court House on Tues
day last, for the purpose of hearing political
speeches from Hon. D. II. Chamberlain, Gen.
S. w. Melton and S. l.. Hoge. Col. Cochran,
after being called to the Chair, introduced
Hon. D. II. Chamberlain as first speaker. Mr..
Chamberlain said that he was there in the in
terests of the Republican party, and to discuss
the political issues of the day. hold, he said,
that political discussions are the very best
schools for our people. Before the war your
greatest public misfortune was the absence of
political division, and this was partly the cause
of the South being plunged into the late disas-
trous civil war, for there was no restraining
force. Peace that comes from political divis-
ion is the best peace, and l want to see the day
come when a mans political opinions will not
The sentiment expressed by one of Ireland's
greatest orators that "no political change is
worth single crime or single drop of BLOOD"
is the sentiment that ought to be adhered to by
our people, and to govern their actions with
regard to political interests Let political diff
ferences cause no i'll feeling, nor one drop Of
human blood to be shed in Anderson County
or throughout the State, but let peace and har-
mony prevail. The Republican party is the
only means of bringing about good and har-
monious state of affairs for this genial cline,
and whosoever lifts his tongue in harangue or
his arm in anger against his neighbor does no
good. Republicanism is the Jeffersonian
American idea. stamped upon this country by
American independence, that all men are crea-
ted free and equal, and that equal and exact
Justice to all men is the principle of good gov
ernment We have planted political party
upon this idea, that when God created US, he
gave to US an inalienable right to our political
freedom. No government is fit to exist that
does not represent the sentiment of equal and
exact justice to all men. We stand upon the
principles of Thomas Jefferson, ard be was
right when he said that all men were created
free and equal. We want men who will uphold
good government, and advocate its principles.
Trust your rights to no man, to no party, to no
government, for there is no man who is entitled
to hold the rights Of his fellowman. The Re-
publican party opens the school houses, builds
up the churches and insures equal rights to all
men-it being built upon true and sound prin-
ciples The Democracy opposed the recon-
struction system, and went into the campaign
of 1868 with these words inscribed on their
banner: "The Reconstruction Acts are revolu-
ary null and void" believe that the white
citizens of Anderson County are with US in
political sentiment; that they have changed,
and are now with the party they have hitherto
opposed. A gentleman for whom 1 entertain
..xb ri nd ipio hoo haor
ken of as likely to be the Democratic candidate
for Governor, and if Democracy is still the
party of this country, then ct its banner be
untarrished in the grasp cf South Carolnas
Bayard, Gen. ]. B. Kershaw. The Greene
movement may be compared to the Trojan
horse, which was introduced into Troy by the
Greeks as an offering to the Gods, but which
brought about the destruction of that city, and
of Priam's race The Republicans of this
State owe duty to themselves and to their
party; that is, to make it good, honest party,
for political parties are worth nothing if they
do not bring about good government. Public
Office is sacred trust that ought to be held
only by men of unquestionable integrity. Let
us build up good, honest government in South
Carolina. Good government means that the
taxes shall be reduced to the lowest figure, and
upon you, the colored race, does the tax press
the heaviest. Good government also means
that after the taxes have been collected and
put into the public treasury, they must not be
expended except for State purposes; that your
public Offices should be filled and held by hon
est men. If am elected your Governor, l
shall take especial care that none but good,
competent men shall be appointed to office BY
me. In addition to what I have said OIL the
subject of good government, would add that
no part of that public debt which was put upon
the State by fraud shall be paid. If the Blue
Ridge Scrip is fraudulent issue, we are neith-
er bound either in morals or law to pay it,.
The Legislature is the only omnipotent power
in our government, for nothing but revolution
itself can dethrone it. Fill your Legislative
halls with intelligence and integrity, and if
you have a good Legislature, your Governor
cannot ruin you. May every drop of blood
which now courses through my veins stain the
scafold or steam at the stake, if prove recre-
ant to the pledges which 1 have made. Vote
as your Judgment dictates, but let your vote
always speak for good government, and you
will do what is just and right
Gen. S. w. Melton was next introduced, and
said: From my earliest and fondest recollec-
tions your County possessed a peculiar interest
for me- for it was the home of my greatest and
noblest political friend, whom I admired and
followed, except in one or two slight instances.
I refer to the much lamented James L. Orr.
He was the greatest ard truly the only leader