Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-12

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dorsement but theirs, and SO long as they told
me that that title was good, so long would l
grasp them, BY the hand. / went on from
motives of personal courtesy to the President
l went as Democrat, as I am, and say to
you, and it is but Justice to political oppo-
nent for me. to say so, that Mr.. Hayes, con
suljng .his. own dignity and. .srespect -for.the
laws of the land, and, hope, for the people
of South Carolina and for myself, asked me
to make no concessions, no terms, and pro-
posed no conditions and as long as he will
follow! out, in good faith, the policy indicated
in his inaugural if he will do equal justice to
all sections of this country, and see that the
laws are enforced in Massachusetts as in
South Carolina, in Louisiana as in Ohio; if
he will carry out In good faith all the pledges
he has made, and be constitutional Presi.
dent, and recognizing no party, race or Sec
tion--so long will l support him. 1 have
not fought this fight in South Carolina now
to let any party affiliations keep me from
anything that will promote the good of South
Carolina.
l wish to say to you, Forget, for the next
four years, everything about politics. Forget
that you are Democrats or Republicans and
remember only that you are South Carolin-
ians. Go to building up the material inter.
ests of the State, invite immigration, show the
people of the North that we have no pro-
scription in our hearts; that we will welcome
him here who comes as citizen, no matter
what his politics may be that we are striving
for the redemption of our State, not for petty
Offices of government and then you will see
the era of peace, and a new prosperity will
dawn upon South Carolina. Labor will be
employed, you will see whites and honest col:
ored men improving, happy, prosperous and
united, if you will only forget politics for
awhile aud devote yourselves to the great in
terests Of the State. ..... ,v ..
Now, my friends we can gain all the fruits
of our victory but in one way, in my judg.
ment and that is this When in August last T
was inaugurated as your standard-bearer, you
will remember that pledged myself that l
should be the Governor of the whole people
of South Carolina; that would know , no
race, no party, no man, in the administration
of the law. Ipledged myself, on the platform
on which stood, that every citizen of South
Carolina, white or black, would be equal be.
fore the law, and l solemnly appealed to
Heaven and declared that, if elected, would
Justly administer the law and would know 10
difference between persons. promised that
when was nominated, and reiterated those
pledges, time and again, throughout the length
and breadth of this broad land of ours. l
told the colored men would fulfill those pro-
misses to the letter; that if the party which
had nominated me should, at any time, 60
back upon them, if they attempted to take
away any of the rights now enjoyed by the
colored people, they must find some other in
strument to carry it out for, before l would
do it, I would resign. And I say so again,
now that victory has come, now that the whole
State recognizes the government which has
been elected. and now that all the power has
been placed in my hands here where l took
the oath of office, solemnly swearing that |
would obey the Constitution of the United
States and of South Carolina. say, once
more that intend, so help me God to carry
out every pledge made, and to be Governor
Of the whole people.
Now, my friends how can we bring about
this contamination 80 devoutly to be wished
How can we bring happiness, peace and pros:
perty to our people? We can do it but in
one way, and that is that you must observe
the law. enjoin it upon you. do not is
sue proclamation. do not give an order.
But | ask my friends of South Carolina, the
people whom I have trusted and who have
trusted me, and done me more honor than
any other man, the people whom love better
than anything in this life, l ask them to carry
out my wishes l want every man to consti'
tute himselfa conservstor of the peace, to see
that there shall he no violence; to 60 around
and tell your neighbors that, if there is blood
shed or violence, we shall lose what we have
gained to appeal to them in the name OF
South Carolina to carry out this policy of
peace.
The only difficulty that seemed to stand in
the way at Washington was the fear that,
when the troops were taken out of the way at
the State. House, there would be violence.
They asked me about it, and l pledged my
honor; mark me, my friends I pledged my
honor that not one single man would 60 into
that State. House unless he had some business
there that / would place two unarned men
there simply to inform the citizens that l re.
quested them not to 60 there, and felt assur'
ed there would be no violence or excitement
and that the laws would be obeyed. Have |
promised too much? [Cries of ri You
have never deceived me know you will
carry out this promise. beg, beseech you !!
You have trusted me trust me little longer.
1t is important for you. 1t is doubly impor-
tant for Louisiana, and for the whole country,
that you do what have as ked you. Cries,
1--WE will do it!]
requested of the President that the troops
should not be removed until / got here.
When that order comes, let nobody 60 to that
State House Just let it stand until want
it, and will tell you when | want it.
I carried letter to the President from a
Federal soldier who had been stationed in the
State. House. He said the place was so filthy,
and so full of vermin, that he wanted to get
away from there. want the fire engines to
play their streams through it for awhile, and
to have the Penitentiary convicts scour and
fumgate it, and then we will have nice
Legislature and all will 60 on peacefully.
The Governor then dwelt, at great length,
upon the nature, extent and meaning of the
popular demonstrations along his route to and
from Washington. He continued: Your des-
tiny is now in your own hands. 1t is for you
to shape it, for veal or for woe. You can, by
imprudence or violence, undo the labor Of
months, and bring hack to us all the scenes
of anarchy, corruption and misrule which
have prevailed or if you are prudent and
discreet, as you have been, you can soon
place yourselves upon higher and better
plane, and will see peace, honor and prosper.
ity opening on your State. You will see
both races and both parties willing for
awhile to forget the bitterness of the past
strife, and ready to clasp hands, and move
ON and Lift un aur old State You will see