The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-04
The Democracy and the Negro.

The Democracy and the Negro.
1t must be apparent to all that one of
the most important tasks to be done by
the Democracy of South Carolina is the
division of the negro vote, by inducing at
least portion of the colored people to
range themselves on the side of honesty
and reform. Heretofore there has been
but one thing needed to condemn an as
pirant for Office in their eyes. 1t has
only been necessary for him to aYow him
self Democrat for him to loose the last
chance of success by means of a portion
of the colored vote. The Democratic
party has been considered the worst
enemy to the freedom and the welfare
of the negro, and this delusion has
formed the basis of every platform upon
which the Republicans have carried
South Carolina. A few years ago, it was
perhaps somewhat natural that the negro
should listen with some suspicion to the
pledges made by the Democrats of the
State, and this suspicion has been con-
stantly increased by the lying statements
of many of the white Republicans
Upon them chiefly must rest the respon-
sibility for the powerful delusion which
has been so impaired to the negro that
he finds it difficult to divest himself of it.
We have no intention to make sweep
ing charge against all white Republicans,
for there are some exceptions, and these
few deserve credit for their good sense.
But there are many whom the cap fits,
and they may wear it and'be welcome.
1t will doubtless take considerable effort
to diabuse the negro's mind of the false
impressions with which carpet-bag poll
ticians and homemade demagogues have
filled it, but such an effort is therefore all
the more necessary. Nor need there be
any misrepresentation or evasion upon
the part of the Democrat who essays to
persuade the negro that his rights would
be perfectly safe in the hands Of a tri-
umphant Democracy. The record of the
Democratic party, both State and Ma
tional, is perfectly plain upon this point.
An examination of any of the Demo
cratic platforms adopted since 1861 will
show that as to the political rights of the
negro, as secured by the thirteenth, the
fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to
the Constitution, there has been not the
slightest difference between the political
principles respectively enunciated by the
two great parties into which the Ameri-
can people are divided. In National
politics there are certain questions, such
as those relating to the currency, the
school system, the revenue and other
matters, upon which the parties take de-
cided issue. But as to- the political
rights of the negro, there is no such diff
ference. As the Republican party origi-
mated the measures which resulted in the
enfranchisement of the negro, 80 the
Democratic party stands pledged before
the country to do no act which would
impair any of the rights go conferred.
And that pledge has been faithfully kept.
1t is false to assert that in those States in
which the whites have majority the
rights of the negro have been either de-
stroyed or impaired. There are certain
wholesome restrictions upon the right to
hold Office, and upon the exercise of the
elective franchise, but it must be noted
that these restrictions apply alike to
whites and blacks. They may work
temporary disadvantage to, the latter,
but they must enure to his ultimate ad-
vantage. By raising the standard of citi.
zenship, there are enkindled in the mind
of the colored man thoughts and aspira-
tions to which he is otherwise almost an
entire stranger. Such has been the real
effect of the restrictions to which we have
alluded. Working with equal force upon
the white man and the black man, they
have excited the pride and the ambition
of both. Where an educational qualif-
cation is required for the exercise o1
certain public duties, the result is that
the uneducated man, white or black, is al
once imbued with desire for such learn
ing as will fit him for the exercise oi
such duties; and the necessary conse.
quence is that the cause of popular educa.
ton is greatly benefited. The United
States government itself has placed re-
strictions upon the exercise of certain
rights. Every juror in the United States
courts must be able to read and write
before he can take his seat in the jury.
box. This same point has likewise been
decided by Judge Mackey, as he holds
that in certain cases the inability of
juror to read is good ground of chal.
lenge. 1t is thus clear that restrictions
upon the exercise of certain rights have
been made alike by Republican and by
Democratic. authority, and the two par.
ties are precisely equal on this score. Al
to the real advantage likely to accrue to
the negro from Democratic administra'
ton in South Carolina, it is only neces'
sary to assert, what can be easily proven
that the negro in the South is best off in
those States which have been longest
under Democratic control. His rig ghts
being secured by the constitution, both
State and federal, no attempt would have
resulted in their impairment, and nc
such impairment has ever been attempted
by the Democratic party.
Such are few of the many considera.
tions upon which the colored people o.
South Carolina may safely and consist.
emily unite with their white friends ol
the Democratic party, in powerful
effort to restore to all the people good
government with all its accompanying
blessings. To impress these considera'
tions upon the minds of the colored peo'
pie is one of the duties now before the
Democratic party of this State. Every
fair means should be constantly and per
sistently employed, to bring about the
desired result Winnsboro' Nears.
MAKE 1T STRAIGHT.-A good deal o.
discussion is going on among the people
as to the character of the ticket to be put
| in nomination for the county Offices. II
| th;n nnnntu MO arn aatisfied that q com