Year: 1874

= 'EbH " AIO L ~.
and that, free of political bias, the people of
the North were in entire sympathy with this
movement. He had intended to say much
regarding this, but the speech Of Congress
man Elliott the night before had saved him
somewhat, and he would thefore read from
that speech as an evidence of the fact that
the people would cooperate with the conven-
ton in the movement to rid the State OF these
thieves. The President of the United States
had said to him that these thieves, by cloak
ing themselves behind the party, were running
and damaging the South. He was sorry to
say that these questions had not been quickly
and practically dealt with; first by peace; if
not, then by those means that all free people
resort to. If all other things failed, he advo-
Gated the throwing of themselves upon the
white race for vindication. He referred to
decision of New England judge from which
the Dorr war sprung, and argued that the
same channels were now open, if all else failed.
That in that case, where all forms of law fail
ed action was ventured and the consequences
risked 1t was proper, if all other things fail
ed, for the people to know that South Carroll
mans are men enough to take the advice of
this New England Judge. He read from
other authorities, to show that the only dam
ger to good government was the use OF unllm-
tied power. He referred to Ireland, and their
efforts, and made comparison of the mis-
management here and there, and laid the
whole blame to the fact that there had not
been concert enough of action. In this re-
spect, he recommended free contribution tor
aiding organizations to rebut the influences of
the present government. He said there was
not a man of distinguished calibre in the whole
coterie of the present administration. Re-
garding them, he made his comparisons from
the Life of Hastings-the setting loose of
set of adventures, etc.


He entered into proofs of the present con.
dition of affairs, and in this he proposed to
lay before the meeting the charges made
against themselves by the members of the ad.
ministration in South Carolina, and those of
their party. Pixies book, "The Prostrate
State" was literally quoted from to sustain
this position, and the fact that he had held a
forei gn mission by Mr.. Lincoln's appointment,
and that he had been an editor, was stated in
introduction to these extracts. After this, he
referred to the letter of ex-Attorney- General
Chamberlain He had taken pains in WASH
ington to find out how this party had been
placed upon the people here. He charged
that 100000 of the money sent by the war
department for the feeding Of the poor people
in South Carolina by General Howard had
been used by Governor Scott to corrupt the
people and purchase his own election" He
read from the records to prove this, as he
said. He referred to Hon. D. T. Corbins tes-
timony, where that gentleman explained the
managing of the elections. Also, from Judge
Carpenters testimony-which gentleman he
characterized as consistent, earnest Republi-
can-regarding the assessment and taxation
of property, instancing therefrcm certain sPe'
ci6c assessments. He knew of men who fol-
lowed planting who had not been able to get
their taxes from their rent. Also, quoted from
Judge Carpenters testimony regarding the
use of the pardoning power. Freemen could
maintain their rights if they could rely upon
the judiciary, but one of the greatest Difficult.
ties now was that these fountains were cor
rupted There were some exceptions, ne was
glad to note, because he did not believe in the
doctrine of total depravity. He quoted from
the report of q committee of the Legislature
regarding the action of certain judge in a
railroad case, where the responsibility had
been shirked. Also, to the action of the
Legislature in the case where Judge Carpen-
ter had discharged the Camden jury for ig-
norance, and held that the judges friends were
powerful enough to have him exonerated. He
did not like the position taken by judge in
regard to the Citizens Savings Bank. If he
had been one of the other party he would
have had his money put in hands where he
was sure it would be safe, and rebuked severe
lily the throwing over the bar of some OF the
LAWYERS connected with that case


He referred also tc the subsidizng of the
press and quoted again from Pixies "Prostrate
State" to sustain his charges He thought,
however, Mr.. Pike had placed his estimate of
money spent in this direction too high. The
sums paid for public printing 60, in great
measure, to the members of the Legislature
and prominent Republican editor had offer.
ed to furnish him with certain data as to this,
but he had not yet had the time to consider it
carefully. No government, he said, could ex-
ist without reasonable amount Of intelli-
gence; in proportion to the intelligence of the
people they have better government. 10
prove this, he went at length into statistics of
education and crime, and advocated qualih.
cation, and to secure this, it was the duty OF
the people to do all they could to give them
education to provide this qualification. lie
then read from the Daily Union Mr.. Elliott's
speech-that portion relating to the blame at
taching to the colored people for the present
state Of government-and said MIR. Elliott had
spoken the truth.


Regarding politics, he thought too many
men had been driven over the line by denun-
citation. Any one should be welcomed who
will aid in reform, be he white or black, Re-
publican or Democrat, Yankee or native.
[Applause].


He knew the Yankee we'll, loved the ele
ment there for its good New England gener-
osty, and he knew that they wished we'll tor
the people, and the mending Of the present
condition Of affairs.


AS regarding the guarantee Of a republican
form of government in every State, ne read
from Hamilton, and argued therefrom the
State and individual rights Of the people.


He did not believe that there was any power
in the world to take away rights guaranteed
to individuals and there should be check
upon any power given to a majority to en-
croach upon the rights of a minority. He
thought it might have to be waited for, but the
colored man was bound to be in the minority.
The whole subject of minority representation
was a matter of congressional action, in
great degree. Heavowcd himself in favor of
State rights everywhere, within the consttu-