The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-01-27
The Negro and Politics.

sent TO the "political leaders" of the !
State, for the purpose of obtaining
their views upon the movement. The
following is the circular letter:
1--WE propose to organize "Citizen's
Fair Play Clubs" the first article in
the constitution of which will be uno
alterable allegiance TO the Democratic
porty and hostility to the Republican
party. But we will invite the colored
leaders to attend and discuss politics
quietly, and the idea is to offer them
a certain share of the offices, if they
will join our clubs. We feel the me-
cessty OF doing something to obviate
existing political difficulties, and this
promises at least o chance of success.
Overtures for peace can best come
from the up.country, and especially
this district, whore our power is un-
disputed and absolute"
The replies of Congressmen O'Con>
or and Col. Aiken have been publish
cd by the NeaOS. Mr.. O'Conor ex-
presses his approval of the movement,
but Aiken, as will be seen by
the following reply, only takes a part
of the programme in his:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 1881.
DEAR SIR: Yours of the 10th in
stant has been received, advising me
of your organization of "Citizens Fair
Play Clubs" with "unalterable alleg-
lance to the Democratic party" of the
State, and similar "hostility to the
Republican party" so called, Of tho
State; and asking my approval of such
organizations, to membership M in which
"colorod leaders, are invited, "the
design being to offer them certain
share of offices, if they will join our
| clubs"
Your effort to organize clubs with
sworn allegiance to the Democratic
party, and no less unalterable hosti
lity to that political spawn that has
assumed the name of Republican party
in South Carolina and the South,
meets my heartiest approval. Beyond
this, l am not in accord with your eff
forts. am irreconcilably opposed
to giving the negro po itical rocogni-
tion because he is a negro. Tho gov
ernment has made him citizen, with
equal rights before tho law with all
other citizens. In all those rights he
should be, and doubtless will be, and
10 protected. If he is evor to attain
to political preferment, let it be upon
merit. Why give Office TO incompe-
tent negroes, if more competent white
men are willing and anxious to fill
the same office? Fortune or misfor>
tune las placed the colorcd citizen in
the midst Of superior race, who arc
better able to govern themselves and
him without his aid than with it
Then, why compromise this superiori-
ty, when no general good will or can
be effected thereby? Neither the
law, not the public welfare, imposes
the obligation of making the negro q
participant IN the affairs of governs
ment because Of his numbers, and he
cortanl y presents no other claim to
| which the most charitable sentiment
would give assent. Give him all tho
protection and advantages the law
allows him, and let him take bis
chances in society as any other citizen,
and play subordinate role until be
can claim promotion by reason of
merit. Beyond this l am unwilling
to 60. There are too many legal al
ternatives to which we can resort to
match and thwart his superior NUNS
bers, tor US to consent to comprCmis>
ing ourselves by such political horse
swapping as you propose.
Other citizens better entitled to
formulate public opinion than myself
upon this subject may, perhaps, differ
with mo widely. 1 have consulted
no one, and givo you my opinion for
what you think it is worth. Upon
the "negro question: as we'll as upon
all questions affecting the public veal,
| have found our best thinkers so at
variance with each other since the
war, that have long since adopted
the policy, and as yet have no reason
to regret it, Of flowing my neighbor
as myself, and padding my own ca.
noe." Very respectfully,
d. WYATT AIKEN.
TO use a slang phrase, Col. Aiken
"knocks tho black out" We most
heartily endorse his views, and be.
lievo that he expresses the sentiments
Of nine-tenths of tho Democrats of
this section. We are, like Col. Aiken,
'irreconcilably opposed to giving the
negro political recognition because he
is a negro" From the lack of educa>
tion and proper training he is not