The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-04-30
The Radical Convention.

On Tie nrst page OF this weeks
issue we publish the proceedings Of
the Radical County Convention, and
propose in this article to give ex-
preston to the thoughts suggested to
our mind by the manner in which
these proceedings we're conducted
and the appearance Of the delegates
who took an active part in them.
AS matter of course permission
was obtained by our reporter to re-
main wit hin the hall during the s.
ion, not, however, without promis-
ing that fair report would be given
and no burlcsque wantonly indulged
in at the expense of the assembled
wisdom of the colored race.
By tue published list Of delegates it
will be seen that majority of the
members of this body are the same
old party hacks and chronic office
seekers who figured in the days Of
"good stealing" and political slavery.
There were others here it is true, but
not Of the advanced type OF our COL
ored population who are prepared by
culture to give tone to public meet
ing or character TO those they repre-
sent. Indeed we were standing by
representatives of this class who
seemed as thoroughly disgustcd with
the wild disorder and savage yelling,
prevailing very nearly all the time,
as any reasonable men could be.
From indications manifcsting them
selves on every side, we were led o
conclude that the power and influence
Of white leaders, as Bo!iver and
Webster, were on the decl inc, amount
ing almost TO nothing. This is con-
lirmed by the easy victory achieved
by Strakcr over both these old lead
ers. The election of j. Ii Livings.
ton rs delegate was due in the main
10 the very creditablc Endorsement
given him by SLrakcr and not TO any
personal influence possessed by that
gentleman over the colored delegates.
The days in the career Of white Radi-
calls are numbered in Orangeburg,
and for the sake Of the negro we are
glad Of it..
Another noticeable feature in this
Convention is the indisputable fact
that whilst the colored people have
improved, under the four years Of
Democratic rule, in general appear
ance and materia! prosperity, they
have not advanced one step in poll
tics. They are the same narrow
minded, prejuh ced creatures to-day
they were eight years ago, when they
yielded a slavish obedience to the
dictation Of unscrupulous leaders and
were the willing tools of dishonest
aspirants 10 Office. The same disor-
derly conduct cha: actcrizes their po-
litcal meetings and the greed for Of
lice is as universal among them to-
day as then. They are not disposed
to allow political liberty to any Of
their color more than is found in the
Republican party, and that is slavish
enough, heaven knows. A colored
Democrat is as much condemned and
ostracised by the average colorcd
Radical as he ever vast amounts,
in many cases, to hatred. Political
reticence and treachcry toward their
white neighbors seem still TO be ne
cessary element Of Radicalism, espe-
cially of the old school and the only in
dependence Of thought is found among
those whose associations bring them
in contact with culture superior to
that possessed by political leaders
and Office seekers. AS the party now
stands there can be no hope for the
country if the control of its govern
mcnt falls again into the hands Of the
Radicals. The stealing of the past
will be increased in tenfuld ratio
and will be as unlimited as the ignor-
ance and prejudices of the masses
and the dishonesty OF their leaders.
Experience is no teacher for the ne
gro.
Third Term.