The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-20

III UottcE t4du III stuo voupNy tuau
Gen. Kershhw; they believed him TO-
be honest and SINCERE, and that he had
the ipterestof their racoias we'll as his
own at heart; yet they could not,vote
ioT him against q pronounced -Repub.
lican. With the negro. party feulty
seems to be above every other consid-
GRAFTON. He may backsIide in religion,
and sell bis vote as legislator over
and over again on any measure not
political, but when it comes to the
question Of putting any man but Re-
publican In Office, as rule, neither
money, nor friendship. nor official pre-
ferment for. himself. can induce him
to ''go back on de party"
Mr.. Chamberlain. after claiming
that things nre not so bad as they have
been generally painte.l, considers tue
question of the future and the posi-.
bility OF improvement, strictly within
the lines of the Republican party. To
the question, what can be done in the
future? he replies that he is hopeful:
believe reform can he effected by
the Republican party. Of one thing
J. am sure-if it cannot he done in that
party it cannot be done at all while
the Democracy of the State occupy tho
position aud hold the views which
they are now believed to hold. I tell
you tho colored people will never vote
with any party or set Of men whom
they do not wholly trust upon all ques.
tlons which touch their civil and po-
iltical rights; and in my judgment they
are right in this. Corruption is pre-
ferable to murder. The abuse of
rights is better than the denial of
rights. Better fifty years OF Europe
than cycle OF Cathay." 1 consider
my nomination distinct effort on the
part of our party to reform within it's
own ranks. [ have always been u
strict party man. All who know mo
know that was Garrisonian Abo-
litionist in former years. I have faith
in the oolored manH and in Republican
propose to stand by that
party here as the only hope of our
State. If lived in other States I
should doubtless think party lines as
of far less consequence. Here there is
no alternative. The Republican party
is the only agency through which any
good can come to the vast majority of
our people. As to the charges made
against me, they have been made sole
ly with view to defeat my nomina-
tion. do not believe there is man
in this State who knows me, who can
say that he believes those charges, or
any other charges against my charac-
ter. You ask, can reform be effected
within the Republican party, and how?
1 think it can be done. There are
grave difficulties, but they are not 80
great as they are represented to be.
In the first place, there are some mem
bers Of our party who do not want re-
form. They have proited by past cor
rnption and they want it to continue.
Then there is another class who only
regard reform as present political
necessity, There is third class who
are sincerely and earnestly devoted to
the work OF reform as q matter Of right
and justice. believe, too, that Gun
rely. if am Governor, on the support
of all the other executive officers Of
the State government. The great
anxiety which I feel is OF course as to
the Legislature, but we intend to give
Gil opr, energy to that work. The ma
terial oflwhidh q Republican Legisla-
ture must be composed here is not of
:he best. but we have honesty aud in
telligence enough to makc Legisla-
ture that will be ab owe corruption and
bad legislation. The work of reform
will be constant struggle. It will re.
quire time to put things right here.
II in my two years as Governor can
even ''turn the tide." shall be more
than rewarded. The present situation
is the result of centuries. How foolish
to expect to undo it all in two years or
in ten. The oolored race here is ep.
titled to loug time and to infinite pn-
tience from his friends in this country.
To cast him off because he has made
the most grievous mistakes, or to de-
mard that he shall be wise statesman
in day, is simply the height of injus-
tice. Give him fifty or hundred
years and then call him to account.
From Sumter.
a despatch from Sumter, received
by gentleman Of this city, gives the
information that the mass meeting
held there yesterday was great sue
cess. Thirty. five hundred persons
were present. kershaw, Clarendon