The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-28
HAMPTON COLORED CLUBS.
The manifest disposition on the part of

HAMPTON COLORED CLUBS.
The manifest disposition on the part of
numerous colored voters in Anderson
County to unite their efforts with the
Democratic party in securing,the elec-
ton of Gen. Wade Hampton and the.
other nominees on the State ticket, to-
gether with the demand for some
convenient form of organization, has
induced us to prepare the annexed
constitution as guide for the. formation
Of champion Colored Clubs" This
plan is mainly intended for the use of the
colored voters who are desirous of main
tanning their allegiance to and connec-
ton with the National Republican Or
ganization, and whose instincts teach
them that such position is entire
ly consistent with an absolute repudia-
ton of the ticket recently nominated by
the Radical State Convention, which
fails to command their: support by reason
of the corrupt practices and degraded
reputation of some OF the nominees, to
say the least of it. Of course, as Demo
Gratis, we. would greatly prefer that the
colored voters in Anderson County should
unite with us in full and hearty cooper
alton throughout, but the indications are
that large number are ready to assist in
electing good, true men to position in
this State, who are not ready to renounce
their connection altogether with the Re
publican party. We accept this assist
ance without compromising our fealty to
the National Democracy, and upon the
ground that the peculiar circumstances
environing South Carolina are sufficient
excuse for the combination of honest and
well-intentioned citizens, without regard
to party affiliations, whose earnest desire
is to bring peace and prosperity to our
distracted and impoverished State, as
these evils bear with equal hardship upon
all classes of the people. The form Of
organization is plain and simple, and we
trust that it will be acceptable to the
colored men, who are initiating this
movement to aid in the redemption of
South Carolina:
CONSTITUTION.
l. The undersigned, colored voters of
Anderson County, have united together
for the purpose of organizing "Hamp-
ton Colored Club" whose main objects
are to improve the condition of public
affairs in South Carolina, elevate the
standard of public officials, and secure
the blessings of good government, moder-
ate taxation and competent officers,
whereby we may secure the protection of
life, liberty and property, which has been
denied to us in common with our white
fellow-citizens, during the last eight
years.
2. As a means of securing and perpe-
tuating these desirable blessings, and as a
pledge that we are solicitous of living on
terms of kindness with the white people,
we do hereby in the NEST solemn manner
guarantee to support the ticket for State
officers, headed by Gen. Wade Hampton
for Governor, believing that these gentle
men will not only maintain sacredly and
keep inviolate all the rights of the colored
people under the laws and the constitu-
ton of this State and the United States,
but that they will assure ample and equal
protection for all classes in every relation
of life.
8. This organization is not intended to
disturb our connection with the National
Republican party, whose candidates for
President and Vice President we will
support in the coming election, and in
declaring our opposition to the so-called
Republican ticket in South Carolina, we
are only expressing disapprobation of
the corrupt practices and greedy ambition
Of designing politicians, who have made
use of the colored voters, by prejudiced
appeals to their ignorance and passions,
to keep the races divided into antagonistic
political organizations on the color line,
when we are satisfied the interest of both
races 10 CO-cqudi III Soou 6Ofoihniohp'
f. The officers of the Hampton Col
ored Club" hereby organized shall consist
of President, two Vice Presidents, a
Secretary and Treasurer, whose duties are
sufficiently defined by their title and
usage.
s. This Club shall hold its meeting
once week until after the 7th of Novem-
ber next.
6. That an Executive Committee of
three members shall be appointed by the
President, whose duty it shall be to col
lect information, solicit the membership
of colored voters, and in general to advise
the Club as to the best means of promo
ting its growth and prosperity.
Z. Any colored voter may become
member of this organization by signing
this Constitution, and pledging himself
to sustain and support the ticket for State
officers headed by Gen. Wade Hampton
in the coming election on the 7th of No
yember next.