Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-10-14
[From the Agricultural (AIichigan) World
Froe Speech in tho South.

DEAR SIR: Your letter of September 10 arrived
at this point in due time, but was not answ cred
earlier because l was away from home. In il
you say: ''Somc farmers and Patrons in Michi.
gan believe that the Southern States arc ready
for another rebellion; that tho right Of free
speech is denied TO Republicans in the South,
and that great outragcs arc being pcrpctracd
there upon men for their political opinions" and
you ask me, arc these things so?
We'll, to give fiat denial to the three allcga.
tions, would not convince those in the North who
assert them merely "for ;potica capital;" and
TO attempt 10 prove the charges false would be
an attempt to convince man against his will.
Therefore il seems a futile task TO cndcayor 10
correct these malicious accusations gainst n pco-
pie, whose immense annual products should
convince the world, that neither rebellion nor
political disquctudo is at present giving them
much concern.
What is meant by being ''rcady for another re
bclion," do not exactly comprehend. If an
other OWL war is meant, the charge is oimply
ridiculous | know I speak The sentiments Of
tho entire South when say, VIC have Ind quite
rs much war rs these people will want during
may do neither you nor I can tell. will dis
miss this part of the subject with the assertion,
that tho genuine national conservatism of the
country rests to-day in the South, and we are
really moro anxious for "Solid Union" than
are the people Of tho North; We are determined,
however, if by our efforts it can be made ssolid''
it shall be so Economically.
But "thc right of free speech is denied 10 Re.
publicans )" where and by whom? Certainly
not in South Carolina, nor ty the Democrats
Wherever they desired it, the Republicans have
had their public meetings. few sccdy scala
wags and idle negroes constituting the assem-
bagc. At all such meetings gentlemen dcsir-
ing peace and harmony between The races here,
and Il successful development of our resources,
have requested to be heard in reply TO the Re-
publican speakers. Wherever consent was Civ
en-, replies were made where denied, no furth-
er demand was made. The negroes arc gcner-
ally willing for these dscussions the white as
pirants always object.
Tho non do script adventurous, cuphoni =
onsly styled "cnrpct baggcrs," have left
our country, and the ignorant, corrupt. mis-
erable scalawags, who joined thom in desoa-
ting tho South from 1868 to 1875 inclusive,
have not tho powcr to organize the negroes,
simply because the negroes know, that for
tho past four years Of Democratic rulo thoy
have boon unmolested and have accumulate
cd property, and arc contont. For this
reason and this reason alone wo hear worry
littlc claim made anywhere for "Rcpublcon
free speech"
Republican county, district and State con-
ventions havo been held, and lot one instance
of their actions suffice on this point:
Tho Congressional Convention Of tho
Third South Carolina District, which now
have tho honor to represent at Washington
met and nominated as my opponent ono
General Stolbrand, of tho Union army in tho
lato war; man who, daring tho carpet bag