The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-06-22
PICKEN6 G. H., S. c.:
Thursday. JWmc %, 1876.
The Negro Vote,

AhS 3NO6AO fObO'
Wo noticed some time since, that
ono of tho Democratic Clubs in AM
dorson County, requested the Intclli-
goncor and Journal, tho two papors
of that county, to dovoto as much as
ono column each week to editorials,
specially written for tho onlighton>
mont of the colored voters of that
county, with tho view of influencing
thom to vote with tho whites, and the
Democrats were requested to read
and explain thcm when opportunity
afforded. This, as theory in politics,
might do worry we'll, but we are afraid
that practically it would prove a fail,
urc, Tho negroes, as class, are not
capable of comprchonding or appre-
ciating newspaper arguments, besides
they have been taught to mistrust all
such arguments, however we'll meant
or kindly given. But wo would not
discourage any effort in that direction,
to draw tho aid of the negro vote to
the native whites, where it propcralIy
and naturally should go, for their in
forest arc Identical, but bottor plan,
wc think, would be littlo moro por-
sonal and individual effort on the part
of the whites. The negroes arc either
their hired laborers or tenants and
thoy arc thrown in daily intercourse
with them, which affords an oppor-
tunity of conversing with and instruct
ing them in thoir political duties. The
newspaper is q great political lever
when properly supported, but without
the individual efforts and cooperation
Of it's party friends it is almost pow.
crlcss The negro would moro readily
bclievo the arguments of his employer
than those of II newspaper, whilo tho
employer might very properly call
the newspaper to his aid. Our peo>
plo havo boon too Indifferent in res-
poet to the enlightenment of the negro
and winning him ovor by per-
sonal efforts and arguments. No
person, or class of mon can exert the
influence over the negro as the farmor.
1t is with them that tho negro, prin>
cipally, has all his intercourse and
looks to tor instruction and assistance.
In all matters relating to his indivil-
ual we!tal 9, he seeks their advice and
counsel, but when it comes to matters
OF politics no is a stranger to them.
Why is this? Simply because the
employer, or formor master has nevor
made any well directed advances to-
wards him. Lilo has cursed and abused
him because ho did not see his true
political interest and vote with the
whites, forgetting that thore was q
certain class OF men, who for political
advancement and personal gain, wero
daily infusing tho poison Of Radicalsm
into his mind. They should have at
once commenced n counter movement,
and applied an antedote. 1t is not
too late yet. Poverty and diro dis
trcss, the fruits of Radical rulo, have
partly accomplished what tho want
OF effort on the part Of the whites has
failed TO do. His extromo want which
has increased with timo, has caused
him to pause and sock the cause. His
mind has become more malleablo and
open to conviction. In our opinion,
nothing remains to be done to win n
sufficient number of them ovor To
carry the election in this State, but a
yell directed effort on Tho part of tho
whites. Let every true man consider
it duty oncumbont upon him, to 20
to work, by legitimate means, to win
over negro voto. If only ono in ton
succeeds the work is Accomplished