The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-03-14

i
it would be, in our humble opinion, perfect
absurdity and suicidal to the colored people,
simply because we are at peace with the
whites at present, and we sincerely hope
will continue so. We must observe, my
colored friends, that We, as race, are less
able to stand and struggle and contend IN
political battles than the whites. We are
not skilled and disciplined i'll political af-
fairs as they are, and consequently, we be-
ing the weaker party. will fall to the sur
face in all race questions Or confusion.
Therefore, we should guard against being
the aggrcssors or inviting and encouraging
opposition from those with whom we cam
not COPE.
It'strikes US forcibly that the true inter
ests of whites and blacks are identical, and
we must learn to dwell together in peace
and quiet, and neither should strive for the
mastery of the situation, but all unite upon
one common platform. Some say that if
we yield to the Democrats and not contend
strenuously for our rights they will monop-
oize all the offices, and allow-u no repre-
sentation in County or State. We labor
under no such impression. 1t is our candid
opirion that where there are competent
cplored men who have established for them
selves 4 good reputation and an honest re-
cord as citizens, and are favored with good
accomplishments and liberal advantages in
obtaining all education, that the whites
will favor the elevation to Office any such
characters when time and circumstances
present themselves, or when there is gen.
er;.l opinion on the part of the colored peo-
Pile to unite with them on all interests con-
cerning the Commonwealth. We think if
we unite with them they will certainly
allow us representation in proportion to our
population. Some say let us not make any
compromises with the Democrats, and
struggle independently. This is all nom
sense and absurdity. The outrageous con-
duct and disgraceful transactions of the
leaders Of the Republican party during its
administration. especially in this State, as
reported by The Committee of Investigation,
are an insult to all christendom, and fear
full shock ID sensbility. We cannot de-
nounce and 'lisapprove of such dirty trans
actions as detailed by the Committee, any
better way than compromising and uniting
with the Democratic party in support Of
good and honest men. Some would say
that they do not wish any aid from the col
orel element, as they can now redeem the
State to completion without such aid. This
may be true, but it would not justify us to
stand quietly by and make NO public de-
monslrations in favor of an honest govern
ment. Such action would be an insult to
our manhood, and favor the impression
that we are unworthy of citizenship. 1t is
true that we supported the Republican par
ty, whose fabric has crumbled.into oblivion
by the misdeeds Of its leaders, who were
unknown by the mass of colored people
until'unearthed by the Investigating Com
mittee. But we can now make amends
while the opportunity is presented.
Now sine, we know of these gigantic cor
ruptions which were perpetrated by the
headers of or party, let it be sense of our
duty to make. strides toward honesty, and
throw corrupt motives in the backgrounds.
Some would say let us stand to the remains
of OUR party or go down with the ship into
oblivion. This would probably be correct
under some circumstances, but not under
such circumstances as now surround us. If
the captain and part of the crew should,
by earelessness, mismanagement and cor
rupt motives, allow ship-wreck, or see de-
struction staring them in the face, when
such could be prevented, and is not, why, Of
course, the passengers and other part of the
crew are justified in forsaking and abandon
ing the ship and save themselves ifpossible,
and let all meet the destruction who invited
and Justly deserved it. We are placed in q
fearful predicament by the actions of our
leaders, and must do something to show to
the world that we are desirous of honest
government. The question is asked by
some, how are we to do these things2 BY
placing ourselves in such position so as to
vote with the Democratic party in their pri-
mary elections. Many of us are desirous OF
supporting good and honest Democrats, and
have voice in choosing men to represent US
in the various departments Of the govern
ment- We sincerely believe that we ex-
press the popular sentiment of the colored
people, wher we say we are willing to unite
with the whites, believing they are perfectly
willing to allow us at least one representa-
tive from this County. We hope the DEM
ocratic leaders will give immediate conside-
ration upon The subject of allowing us some
representation, in order that We may knew
what would be the result Of our co-opera-
ton with them in the coming camIaign.
We invite suggestions from any of our white
citizens who are likely to know the senti-
ment of their party. Wehave been induced
to give expression to the foregoing senti-
ment, because of many interrogatives put to
us soliciting DUR opinion. We ask no per-
son to adopt our sentiment who believe by
so doing they will sacrifice any innate prin-
ciples or lower their dignity, which, in our
opinion, could not.be the case.
GREEN D. WILLIAMS.
P. S.-Paricn us for not mentioning, in
the BODY of our letter, the fact that the free
and common schools are now in operation
rs never before. Both white and colored
teachers are employed by the Trustees, who
are all white, without any discrimination
The school officers, from the CommissioFel
down to the Trustees, seem to be doing
everything possible for the colored as vel
as for the whites. We hear of no coloreG
teacher being refused of position on thu
account of color or previous condition o
servitude. We remind you also that the
two mill tax, fer school purposes, was rat
fed and passed by the Hampton govern
ment. AlLcf which 60 to show that Hamp
ton means equal justice to all classes, ire