Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-10-25
r. B. ELLIOTT on CIVIL RIGHTS.

r. B. Elliott, the notorious negro p0liti-
clan, formerly of Columbia, but now a resi-
dent of New Orleans, has addressed letter
to r. L. Shrewsbury, of Columbia, on the
subject of the civil rights bill, and giving
some sensible advice to the colored people.
His letter concludes as follows:
That this decision, which, in view of the
Judgment pronounced some years since in
the Cruikshank case, and the decree render
ed with even more energy about a year ago
in the Virginia case, was not unexpected, is
we'll calculated to re-engender in many
quarters race hatred that had happily begun
to disappear before the growing sentiment
of reconciliation between the two races in
the South, and that it will fan into active
flame the smouldering fires of caste preju-
dice cannot be denied. But such a result
will be short-lived. Time will at last set all
things even. Many who forebore heretofore
to openly wound the sensibilities and to in
suit the manhood of the negro-not from
any inane sense of justice or fair play, but
from fear of rendering themselves obnoxious
to the laws-will, doubtless, throw off the
mask Of forbearance, and, eXulting in the
license afforded by the decisiOn heap con-
tumely and insult upon their unprotected
victims. Many more, however, and by far
the greater number, who have, with ad-
vance of time, outgroWn the passions and
preudiccs Of former years, and have come
to look upon the negro as a man, susceptible
to the virtues as we'll as the vices of man.
kind, will respect him according to his
moral and intellectual worth, and will treat
him as all others of like standing are treated
in the communities in which they live. In
the new, progressive, prosperous South there
will be not single step backward. The
two races here already know each other,
and will, in time, learn fully to sympathize
with, and to respect each other. If the pO-
litical or civil rights of the negro shall ever
be assailed, of one thing we may be assured,
the assault will not come from the South.
If the negro shall readily learn the lessons
which this decision would teach, he will not
have long to live in order to become con-
vinced that the judgment of the Supreme
Court is really a blessing in disguise. He
must strike out boldly for himself, and must
rely largely upon his own efforts to win the
confidence and respect of his white fellow
citizens. He must determine to pluck from
this seeming nettle of disasterth perfumed
rose of success. Let him be prudent, self
reliant, industrious, temperate and provi-
dent of his means let him educate himself
morally and mentally let him be scrupu-
lously regardful Of the rights of others-in-
sisting with firmness on all occasions upon
like treatment for himself-and that time
must soon come when the evils of which he
now justly complains shall be healed by the
balm of mutual forbearance and reciprocal
kindness. Let him also strenuously insist
that his claim to the enjoyment of political
and civic rights shall not be confounded
with any demand for social equality.
have no fear for the future of the negro. He
will sweep forward with the advancing tide
of humanity, and shall yet find favor in the
sight of his white fellow citizens. In the
meanwhile, may it not be we'll for him to
consider the propriety of dividing himself
in order that he might eventually conquer?
Very truly yours.
ROHT. Il. ELLIOTT.