The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-06
RIgh. Uss Of tho Suffrage.

morning, to plain, earnest and can.
did letter addressed to the oolored
people by J. Wood Davidson, Esq.
In our dealings with the negroes in
this State we have been charged with
unwillingness to recognize their rights,
and with repuguance to cooperate
with them in politics and government.
The facts are just the other way, and
it Is interesting ut this moment, when
another opportunity is presented to
them to array themselves on tue side
OF honesty and good government. to
recall the opportunities they have re-
jected:: The'consequences are btfore
tne country. TIC megr0 race Is, IL
consequence. about to be put upon
trial. Their privileges are felt by
many thoughtful minds to work iu-
jury. not only to the State Severn
ments where they are in control, bnt
to republican institutions. It is iu-
oumbsnt on them, therefore. by every
association, public and private. to
seek clearer light for their political
guidance, and to place themselves upon
securer ground than the shifting sands
OF corrupt party ascendaucy. Mr.. Da-
vidson shows them their error. in the
past in THE State. If they read his
letter candidly and inwardly digest it,
it may ht them for better things in the
future:
To THE NEanoEs OF SOUTH CARo.
LIMA: In view of the crisis in the
fortunes OF your race, which I con-
ceive to be at hand, desire to address
you directly. In doing this, speak
as one having with you common in
terest in the good or i'll that is in store
for South Carolina and the country at
large. Believing that the industrial
and other vital interests of both races
and Of the State itself all lie in one
direction. 1 wish, as oil good citizsns
must. to advance, in every possible
way. all these interests together. I
shall speak to you directly and plainly.
The crisis is too imminent and the
dangers before US too grave for trifling.
What 1 shall say may be distasteful to
you. Let it be 80, if it must. 1 care
more Tor your interests-our interests.
the interests of South Oarolina-than
do for your pleasure or your vanity.
propose to tell you some stubborn
truths; to ask you some direct cues.
tions. and to give you some practical
and plain advice-all in the interests
have named. You have now been in
possession OF the Government of
South Carolina since 1S6S-six years
and more. What is the result? Who
is responsible? How can the injury
be repaired? This is the matter be-
fore us.
In 1867 the main work began. The
host OF greedy adventurers that had
swarmed down upon our unhappy
State formed you into Union Lengues
secret, political, onth- bound soc,.
eties-uud through these Leagues
mainly the adventurcrs have used you
as the mere tools Of party. They
have bid you vote thus and so; und
you have voted, with an obedience aa
abject as thnt which your 40. 900, 900
brother slaves in Africa give their
masters. They ordered you to elect
them to the Constitutional Convention
of 1868; aud you elected them. Under
tha constitution thus prepared, they
ordered you to elect them to Office,
and you obeyed promptly. You elect.
ed Messrs. Scott, Parker, Neagle,
Chamberlaih, Jillson aud the rest, be-
cause thoy told you they were honest.
Against this course we-the whites
earnestly. repeatedly aud solemnly
warned yon. The efforts OF Messrs.
Hampton, Kershaw and Butler and
scores Of other able, conscientious,
honest and trust citizens of
our State, to influence aud advise you
for the best. are we'll known to us all.
The whites in vain told you again aud
again that tho advcnturers we're going
to ruin us ali. lou thus Helped ;tis
carpet'baggers to rlunder and impo.
verlsh our State; but l cheerfuIly
acquit you of knowingly committing
that great crime, on the ground that
you were outwitted by the plunJerers
and fooled into abetting their felony
You trusted them aud were deceived
In that case and in that instance yon
deserve pity and not condemnation
In the two years of misrule thut fol.
lowed the election of MIR. Scott, every
Que of onr warning predictions was
verified. The adventures plundered
right and left, aud plunged the State
millions OF dollars into debt. and pros
Il