The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-10-26

and you can say to. them in all truth
that there has not been a colorcd man
who has not had his rights protected
under the Administration. But beyond
all that you may say that wherever he
has found competent colored man to
whom he could give n place he has done
so. And I will venture to say that there
are more colorcd men holding small
Offices in Washington ut this moment
than during the whole reign of the Re-
publicans. [Applause.] I am in full
accord with his policy on that point. I
think that where he can reward colored
man, who has been good Democrat,
who is competent to fill an ofice, he
should do so, and especially where the
Offices have been held by colored Re-
publicans. I have urged him to do it,
and be was kind enough to say to mo
that wherever I could recommend men
Of that sort he would give them appoint
ments.
My friends, entreat you all to work
for the success Of the nominee Of this
district. 1t is of the greatest conse-
quence to US, because we shall have not
as large majority in the next Con-
gress as we have had-and say SO
to you in all frankness. Every vote
will therefore be of infinite consequence,
and think how proud you would feel,
and what source of qualification it should
be to you to know that you were repre-
sented by one who bears one Of the
most honorcd names Of the State, and
one who is worthy to bear that name.
[Applause.]
Ny friends, COL Richardson has al
luded + o the discomfort which has sprung
up in some quarters Of the State. lie
has given you the reasons for them, and
he has given you a most conclusive an
swer to show that there is no justice in
the complaints that have been made. If
you believe me, and | believe my friends
will always trust what say Applause
| tell you on my word and honor that
have been familiar with all the officials
the State House ring. as they call them
from 1876 to the present time, and
pledge you my honor tha: there is not one
word Of truth in the assertion that tb ere
il or ever has been q ring in Columbia.
[Applausc. What people in America
are freer from ring-rule than the people
Of South Carolina? Ifthere is an officer
placed in position in this State who is
not competent or worthy, who, ask, is
to blame for it but the people them
selves? Have you not absolute power
over the officers and offices in the State,
save those few appointed by the Gov
ernor and approved by the Senate I?
Cannot the people instruct their dele
gates for whom to vote in the conyen-
tions? If they prefer to have primaries
can they not nominate their own men
and instruct them how to act as their
representatives? Is there an officer in
South Carolina who would not resign if
it could be shown to him only that
he was unworthy or unfaithful? IvEn-
ture to say that there is not one. There
never has been falser cry on the face
Of the earth than that which is now dis
tracing the people in South Carolina.
There is not a single fact on which to
base these false allegations, and in my
opinion they are made chiefly by men
whose sole object is to get into office.
I think that there is where the shoe
piuches. tApplause.] And I would in
woke my fellow-citizens Of South Caro-
lima not to be led off by any false lights
or any new doctrines. ! think that the
administration of the party for the last
ten years has proven itself to be worthy
OF your confidence. If there has been
nominated man not worthy of your
support I would be the last man to ask
you to vote for him, but / believe your
nominees arc all true Carolinians. be-
licve every one Of them to be worth y .oi
the position to which he is to DE ele-
waited. I believe they will uphold the
cause of good government and secure
the success Of the Democratic party. ]
appeal to you then to sustain them.
have Very little to expect from the Inde-
|pendents. i think the only difference
between them and an open enemy is
that the open enemy may strike in the
front and the Independents would strike