The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-02-24
Revolt Of the colored oflce-Holders.


The great political event of the time is
the speech of the colored Senator from
Mississippi in executive session last
Thursday. It has attracted more atten-
t;on-and been commented upon wider
than any speech delivered in the Senate
for many day. In executive session,
however, there is freedom which Soma
tors do not enjoy in open session: 1t
would be undignified for Senator Thur.
man to smoke when the galleries are
open:-So it would be a breach of good
manners for Senator Conkling to comb
his whiskers and arrange his hair when
there are spectators in the chamber.
But in executive session Senators can do
like other mortals-wear their hats,
smoke, indulge in badinage, and still be
considered respectable. So it suited the
colored Senator from Mississippi to speak
his mind freely about Grant and the Re-
publican party, aud in so doing he has
incurred the displeasure of the high
toned, dyed-in-the-wool Abolitionists,
who are always prating about fidelity to
party. o"How did the niger dare to open
his mouth in our presence" asked SEN
ator who was displeased at the remarks
of Bruce. "He must have been drink
ing" answered another, while the opin-
ion was offered by third, "Inwine there
is truth" Another set pretend that
Bruce is disguised with Grant, and be-
cause he does not applaud Grants name
for third term, the President and Cabl.
met are against the colored Senator. All
manner of excuses are offered except the
right one, and that is that Senator Bruce
and his constituents, black as we'll as
white. are tired of the domination of the
Republican party over the South, while
pretending to be such good and true
friends of the people Of that section
What the Senator from Mississippi said,
and what the Democrats applauded was,
that his people were tired of being polit-
ical slaves to any party. In this ne ID
not alone.
On the same day, Thursday last, Mr..
Lynch, the colored member from Missis-
sippi in the House, uttered the same sen.
timents. He was replying to the speech
of Mr.. Singleton, of Mississippi, who
had charge Of the consular and diplo-
matte bill, when he said: II can assure
my colleague that what We want is to
have his party inaugurate liberal, fair,
generous, reasonable policy that will tol-
crate an honest difference Of opinion
upon political questions. We want his
party to pursue policy that will con-
vince the colored voters that their iden-
tification as mass with any one Politi.
cal organization is no longer matter OF
necessity. Sir, express it as my hon
est opinion that the Identification of the
colored people, as mass with one political
organization, especially 80 far as local
matters are concerned, is not so much a
matter of choice as it is of Democratic
hostility to them as q race, matter OF
necessity. The afiliation of the masses
of the white people in the South with one
organization is not so much a matter of
choice with them as it is the result of the
existence of public opinion which in
some localities does not tolerate all hon
est difference of opinion upon political
questions except at the sacrifice of social
position and success in business. These
are the evils that must be removed.
White men must be allowed to disagree
upon political questions without being
socially ostracised and destroyed in busi-
ness. Colored men must be convinced
that they, too, can dividein political mat
ters without running the risk OF losing
their rights and privileges under the gov; y;
ernment. When this can be done all will
be we'll, and the South will prosper, but
not till then" 1t will thus be seen that
the sentiments of Mr.. Bruce are not con-
fined to the Senate. The more impor-
taut significance is this {: They give ex-
preston to what the Radical leaders say
is the voice of lamentation. The Presi-
dent recognizes the fact that there are
no more Durells in Office to write mid
night orders, and he is powerless to force
the carpet-baggers upon an oppressed
people.-Cor. Baltin,sre Gazette.