The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-04
ADVICE to South Carolina COlorcd
Men.

Governor Chamberlain, of South
Carolina, Instead Of attending to his
duties has been visiting the North,
and, on his return to Washington,
which seems to be his headquarters,
he gives out that he has heard of the
murder Of from thirty to one hundred
negroes in the State during his absence.
"From thirty to Il hundred' is a
vague phrase. It's use confesses q
shameful amount of ignorance in the
Governor of the State, whose sworn
duty is to maintain the peace of the
State, to protect the lives of the citi-
ems and to see that lawlessness is
punished. The people of South Caro-
lima are asked to vote for Governor
Chamberlain-to re-elect him to his
place. But why should they? At
time of great excitement he leaves the
State, abnndons his post Of duty and
returns only to send out a vague report
Of the killing of some of its citizens.
Evidently he is not a fit MAJ for Gov
ern0r; he is not we a safe man..
General Wade Hampton is his oppo-
nent, the nominee of the democratic
party. What does General Hampton
say about the peace of the State? He
is making III active and thorough can
vass, and everywhere, from every plat
form and stump, he pledges his word
that if he is elected Governor he will
"observe, protect ard defend the rights
of the colored man !" he solemnly
promises to "rendcr to the whole
people of the State equal and impair
tial Justice :" and to make this promise
specific, he adds :-''If there is a white
man in this assembly who, because he
is q democrat or because he is a white
man, believes that when I anu elected
Governor, if / should be, l will stand
between him and the law, or grant to
him any privileges or immunities
that shall not be granted to the colored
man, he is mistaken, and | tell him
now, if that is his reason for voting
for me, not to vote at all"
These are the honest, sensible words
of General Hampton. What has Gov
ernor Chamberlain said or done to
match them? What did he do Oh the
heels of the Hamburg massacre? He
ran to Washington to appeal for help.
| What does he do in the middle of the
canvass? Promise equal and exact
Justice to all citizens? Guarantee that
he will "observe, defend and protect
the rights of the colored nan Not
at all. He leaves the State for a visit
to New England.
Why should the colored men OF
South Carolina vote for Mr.. Chamber
lain? What has he done? What
does he propose to do for them? If
they are sensible men they will vote
for General Hampton. He at least
makes them q definite promise. Hc
makes it for himself and for the gem
tIemen who are on the ticket with
him. Not only that, but he warns
every man who does not agree with
him that all the people, colorcd as well
as white, shall he equally secure in life,
liberty and property, that he had bet
ter not vote for him. If we were asked
by q South Carolina colored man how
he should vote, we should tell him,
"Vote for General Hampton !; hold
him and his to the responsibility they
are willing to assume. They are men
of character, men of property, old cit
liens of the State 60 and shake hands
with them !; tell them you will trust
them. Vote for Hayes for President
if YOU like. 1t is natural that you
should prefer a republican President,
particularly if you are going to try a
democratic State government. But
vote for General Hampton and the
democratic State ticket. Chamberlain
has not protected you, and depend up
on it, if Hayes is chosen President, he
is not going to listen to Chamberlain
or any other Southern Governor who
runs up to Washington to tell his tale,
when he ought to be on the spot to see
justice done between you and your
white ncighbor. Mr.. Hayes does moi