The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-11-24
Judge Mackey ON the Political
Situation.

At the close of the Georgetown
Court last week Judge Mackey was
serenaded by some of the citizens
and was called on for speech.
eve remark, in passing, that it is
singular that of all the Circuit
Judges Judge Mackey is about the
only one that deals in serenades
and political speeches.) The George
town Times gives the following
summary of the Judges speech:
THE speaker directed his attention to the
condition Of political affairs in South Caro-
lima, claiming that there WAS to be found
much that was wrong here, and suggesting
remedies which, in his Judgment, would
cure the evils that exist He claimed that
there was very little Y any, ny progress; pgS;tn IN
would never gladden. the hearts Of South
Carolinians unless a radical change was
brought about in the political affairs OF the
State. he advocated a compromise on the
part Of the whites with the blacks, and q
NAHS5NA-S-N~-~
which agitate the State every two years
from the mountains to the sea, as the only
means C. bringing lasting peace and pros
perity 20 o. people. he believed th2t the
white man snd the black man should move
shoulder tc shoulder, and work out their
fortunes to, ether N the gra nd march OF
progress. Ee thought that great injustice
was done tn. colored people in not allow
ing them f%ir representation IN the Gen.
eral Assembly OF the State. He cla!meo
@N,a% bn GhO1l6
low the colored race q larger representa-
ton than they now have, and that they
could do 50 and still retain the controlling
power in their own hands. As South Caro-.
linian who loved his State and remernbered
her before the rude disasters OF war had
marred the comeliness Of her form and
dimmed the lustre OF her eye, ne lonSed to
see change in the present political condI-
ton of the State. AS long, said he, IS the
race issue is injected into political cam
paigns and lthe drawing of party lines con-
tinues, making it almost criminal for men
to express their political sentiments, just
80 long would Northern men and Northern
capital Snun the soil Of South Carolina and
Just so long would our State remain III the
background Of progress. He desired to see,
so far as State issues are concerned, party
lines done away with, and political strites
and 6issensions ended; and he wanted to
see the day when any man, black or white,
Northerner or southeraer, can come into
ments without the apprehension Of fear to
person or property"
The sentiments contained IN the
above appear to US very significant.
Fears have already been expressed,
whether Justly or not we cannot
say, that if Judge Mackey be not
reelected he will prove the Malone
of South Carolina. This speech
would tend to confirm such fears.
It is a very adroit speech, and gives
to Judge Mackey firm political
basis to stand on in any event that
may happen to him. Should he be
reelected his speech can make no
difference should he not be elect
ed, and should he then desire to
play the part of Malone, he can
point back to this speech as a
''proof" that his non.election had
nothing to do with his course; that
his motives are not actuated by de-
feat, but are consistent with his
previous declarations. Judge Mac
key is a thorough politician he
lays his plans wisely; he is never
surprised by the unexpected, for he
calculates all the probabilities and
through all the shifting scenes Of
political fortune you find him al
ways 'sright side up, with care. "
We believe, therefore, that his
Georgetown speech was made after
a careful calculation Of all the
chances, and with a view to his
probable course in the future.
Outside of the question of pro-
priety Of political speech-making by
Judges, Judge Mackey's speech is
hurtful. It is q rehash Of the
charges that the enemies Of the
State, and Of the Democratic party
Of the State, have been making for
five years past. As matter Of
fact it is not considered criminal
for any man to express bis political
opinions in the State; honest end
intelligent Republicans are as much
respected in SoRth Carolina as any
where else. As an evidence Of this
it is sufficient to point to the hospi
table and hearty reception given by
the people of Charleston recently to
the Connecticut visitors, every one
of whom, with single exception,
was Republican. The only kind
of Republicans that South Carolin-
ians despise (and We hope the day
is far distant when it shall be other
wise) is that class which arrays the
blacks against the whites for the
purposes OF power and plunder-
that class which ruled the State, to
herdisgraee, and almost to her ruin,
from 1858 to 1876.
Great injustice is done the col
ored people by not allowing them a
fair representation in the General
Assembly" From 1868 to 1876
whose voice was heard demanding
a fair representation for the WI 'tes?
Was Judge Aackey's? The colored
people have fair representation.
Does Judge Mackey take the ground