The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-10-30
Wednesday,, Oct:30, 1878
The AbbeyiIle Republican Conven'

The Abbeville Republican Conven-
We publish this morning an account OF
the proceedings Of the republican con-
yention held hero last Saturday. Tho re-
port is as full as possible under the cir
cumstances. A county ticket was nomi-
mated. The nominees of that convention
are some democrats, some republicans
some white, somo black. Of course the
nomination of the democrats was unatl-
thorizet,; and will be declined by them
all. Indeed several of these gentlemen
PUBLISH letters in these columns dcclin-
ing the nomination, and the others as
soon rs they hear of the honors thus UNI
expectedly thrust upon them will refuse
10 accept them. The convention was
composed entirely Of negroes of whom
only two or three were mulattos. Not a
white man was present. Tho business
was transacted peacefully and formally
and the convention adjourned s'ne dc.
Our people will learn with sincere re-
grets of the action of the Abbevillo col
ored republicans at the eleventh ho"r.
We had all hoped that in Abbcvillc coun-
ty ut least there would be no opposition
to the democratic ticket, II that on the
5th of November there would be no need
for vigilance and no for excite
ment. The democratic ticket is made up
Of men who are, so far as we know, UNI
Objectionable to the colorcd voters, some
of them indeed we'll known to DO the ne
pro's friends; and it WAS reasonable t"
expect that as the colored people had suf-
fered so much themselves from republic
can m~isrulc, and had N complaint to
make against the Democratic government
of the last two years, they would surely
abstain from needless and hopeless oppo-
sition and either not vote at all or vote
for the Democratic nominees.
This opposition is Disappointing, anG
although not discouraging, for success
will, nay, shall be achieved by the Able
Vile Democracy next Teusday, still s"
far as regards peace, quiet and concord
between the two races 1t is diShcartcn-
ing. What can these dcludcd negroes
hope to gain by their action Of last Sat
urday? The small meeting shows that
the interest up to date was not violent nor
widespread, and implies that but for Il
few oflicc-seekers and eX-legislatorS, the
colored people would not have made any
move a tall. We therefore pity tho folly
and blindness amounting almost to mad
ness of the colored Republicans in allow
ing themselves to DO arrayed once moro
against their white ~neighbors. One OF
the speakers stated that the colored PEG
pie were entitled by their numbers to
representation in the Genersl Assembly,
hence the nominations of negroes as
s6c1. This at first sight looks plausible
and it must seem to ignorant negroes an
inc%ontrovertible assertion. Well, it il
time to tell them tho exact truth, tina:
while it is true that the colored voters o!
South Carolina o~mtnumber the white vo-
tiers, theaxhite voters outpeigh the color
ed veters-in intelligence, influence and
wealth. Let US tell them that while as a
mere matter Of arithmetic the colored
votes can overwhelm the white votes,
yet as q matter Of fact and historical
truth, when it comes to the governing OF
q great country the white votes must out
weigh and overpower the colored votes.
If We 90 only by a count of heads, this
State will certainly he ruled by negroes !;
but if we 60 by a count of property. tan
paying, education, ability and right, just
as certainly will this State be ruled by
white men. And by white men ii
shall be ruled. We do not say il
shall be ruled for white men. No.
The negro and all hise rights as q
citizen and q fellow-man shall be re-
spected and maintained. But until the
negro race shall become the equal of the
white race in intelligence, in morality.
in industry and in property-holding, the
latter shall not be subjected to the form
or, no matter how inferior in numbers
tho white race may be. The negro race
are our wards. and they shall not become
our guardians. They were weighed il
the balances ten years and they were
found miserably wanting. In the inter-
ests Of civilization, of morality, Of peace,
in the interests of not the white race only
but also of the negro race, the govern
ment of South Carolina must not be suf-
fered to fall into the hands Of the colored
voters, The liberty for which our fathers
fought must not be surrendered to our
former slaves. The land which our IA
theirs purchased with their blood and Sc
cured with their swords must not be rul-
ed by ansalien race whose history is not
yet begun.
What is the duty of our people with
reference to the action of the republi-
cans? 1t is simple and plain. Great
though radical folly is, democratic pa.
thence is commensurate with it. Our pco'
pie will not resort to ku-kluXing, or shot
gun intimidation, but they will quietly,
firmly and vigilantly assemble at the
pollsnext Tuesday, and see that not one
Of the democratic colored voters is inter-
.fered;with, Or intimidated, and that if any
republican colored man wishes to vote
the democratic ticket, he will not be pre-
vented from doing 81 by his party. Lei
every democrat white or black deposit
his vote in the ballot box next Tuesday
and the victory already a. we'd will bt
made permanent. Above all, let peace
fairness, and concord reign in our count.
: on the 5th of November.
No Cause to be Alarmed.
In another column will be found a full