Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1898-12-08
[From the Washington Post, November 97.I

1t is difficult and well-nigh impos-
sible for any one to garge the depth
and power of any issue OF movement
predicated on race or religious pre-
judices. Fortunately, in this ooan-
try we have been spared those terri
BILE struggles brought on, in other
parts of the world by religious pre-
judices. But we are not so fortu-
nate on the race issue, for the oondi-
tion of our country, particularly the
South, with its great negro popula-
tion, placed alongside the white
population, makes race differences
inevitable. The people of the North,
far removed from the centers of
largo negro population, are able to
view this race issue from a purely
sentimental standpoint. 1t is to
them simply question of fino phra-
ses, of declarations on the equality
of all men under the law. But to
the people of the South the question
of race is not mere matter of senti-
ment. 1t is subject which enters
into the very life and existence of
our people. We see it before us
every day; it is presented to us, not
for argument and academic discus
sion, but for immediate practical 80
luton. While acad smicians at re-
mote points, secure in their own
homes, secure in their property,
secure in all those elementary rights
which accompany Anglo-Saxon civil
lization, can theorize, we of the
South are compelled to face an ac-
tual condition. AS an eminent pub
lie man said of another vital issue in
American affairs, it il not theory
but condition which confronts us.
| suggest this because it seems ma
tural and unavoidable that the States
of the South, which are face TO face
with this terrible race conflict, must
themselves meet it and solve it, and
that the theoretical views of those
standing afar off, should not be cast
against those who are struggling
with a problem involving their self
existence.
The race issue has been brought
prominently to the front within re-
cent days by conditions in North
an' South Carolina. In North Caro-
lima the issue has grown out of the
peculiar conditions existing in that
State, whore negro domination has
been brought about by a peculiar
combination of political causes. For
the last two years there has been
complete negro domination through
out that State, and aside from tho
deeper question as to domination by
those lacking in education, in pro-
perty, and in all that goes to make
men representative of the general
social welfare, the whites were sub
jected TO all manner of insults and
official oppression. I have no doubt
that the trouble in South Carolina
was a direct result of the negro domi-
nation in North Carolina, as We of
South Carolina have fortunately been
rid of negro domination for many
years. But our people arc closely
allied by blood and business with the
people of North Carolina, and it is
but natural that they should have
felt deep sympathy when the white
men of North Carolina determined
to throw off the evil of black rule.
From my personal experience
while Attorney General of South
Carolina [ gained an insight into the
real meaning of negro rule. The
people Of the North have no idea
what this means, as Judged by nc
tual experience. In tho State of
South Carolina we had eight years
Of negro oarpot-bag government,
during which the white men of the
State, representing it's intelligence,
its education, and it's property, were
cent to the rear, while the legislative
halls of the State were in tho pos
session of body of negro legisla.
tors. What this body did is a mat
ter of history with us, although 1 do
not believe the people Of tho North
appreciate the excesses which that
negro Legislature and negro govern
ment committed. BY the forced
issue of bonds tho debt of the State
was increased during this period of
negro rule from S3,000,G00 to $21,-
100000. Oneyear the corrupt negro
and carpet-bag officials of the State
mot in back room of a bank and
actually divided up among them-
selves al tho money collected by
taxation. 1t was simply q matter of