Year: 1867

.mc.S WON you mnss always nver ~ seems y 1, ~ =
enlightened, prosperous and contented, they would
not tell you 70 trus 10 professions OF friendship alone
whether they come from the Southern man or the
Northern. Blu. what ask you 70 do, what have the
sa: profess % % M your friends, yoa viii give
U. the opportunity Of showing by our actions %
turn TO the NORTH and u you can nnd better friends
there have no fears Of the result; for with Us not
only does humanity dictate k'no ZONES. deal
est demands from US the stronger preju-
dice has always existed a. the North against your people
than here and exists still curious instance Of this
prejudice came under my own observation years
ago in Philadelphia Passng through that city had
%'n Two Sa S. aaen. told ms a
would not be allowed to ride in the with myself
people there did not like to ride with negroes "


But" said l. ''you mako me pay full price for them
and one or them Is the nurse OF my children" "That
makes no difference" no replied, "you can't take
Ss% 'nS thought mat has
TO ride wish me. and therefore quite good enough
ride with Ss fellow citizens and that they should
them there Bun 20 return to the subject from which
this anccdote has led me II this bill goes into opera
ton you viii FIRST all have to vote for members OF
state convention. Now, your own speaker, 70 whose
remarks on this point listened with pleasure and in
teres has given you sound and practical advice Select
the whom you know to be honest and Trustworthy
and who identified with the State All who are can
ddates for the convention give their views and
make pledges to their in OF their election
The action OF the convention will not be na will it
bind the people or the State the slightest degree for
when the convention has adopted constitution that
instrument will have to be submitted TO all the voters
for ratification rejection Should the new coustitu.
ton, them not give equal protection aud rights to all
1t can be rejected Another convention be called
and another constitution submitted to the people You
have " therefore in power to test the good viii and
honesty OF purpose OF the whites without any danger
OF injury to yourselves Let those then who famil
lar with the cause.-The peope-and the interest of South
Carolina, frame the constitution and If you find that
your rights have been ignored If you find that there
law for the white and for the black you can
justly complain OF having been deceived aud You can
reject the constitution This Convention hen viii be
.e means o. testing the sincerity OF the professions


. you BY the white citizens Of the state and OF
constutional-how thenp You win be left in precisely
the same position you held before its passage. The
present State government will continue aud the present
laws will prevail II will then be for us to prove that
our professions Of friendship were not idle, and while


cannot speak for Others tell you what am willing
TO see done am willing to give the right OF suffrage
to all who can read and who pay certain amount OF
taxes and agree that ALL white well as black, who
do not possess these qualifications, shall b excluded


would take this right from who have heretofore
exercised it, but wish to educational and pro-
pery qualification bear on voters adopted for the future
Let this qualification bear white and black alike and,
while il will cut of from voting some of both races 1t
will be strong nducement 10 all to seek education and
q interest 0i IN the sas a 'a
elevate all classes and contribute only
70 the material prosperity OF the Statc but to the in





under twenty years of age Is allowed vote,
nor can foreigners do 30 until they have been in this
country some years An Engshman knowing all about
laws and our system OF government and having
great wealth, might come here TO ve yet by the natu
razaon laws Of tho United States he could not vote
until he had been five years in the country and two
years In the State where he desired to VOTE Thus you
that there is no such thing universal suffrage
do think desirable that there should be- You would
have right TO complain Of law which would put
you perfect political equality with the whites and
which would put within your reach, and that OF your
Your own speaker has dws orcibly on this point and
commend his advice 70 yop - wise sound and prac
tical You ask counsel OF me-. have given it fdly,
sway me; for am no longer citizen OF she United
States of South Carolina The bill which gives the
even home here; for my home and tho homes or sli
who love my name, have been laid in ashes. have no
political rights have nothing to bind to this ruined
TOR people, and the graves OF my kindred These ties
however are strong enough TO keep alive In my heart
warm nercs. % ~ my sa'e, ana .ney are samcienc 70
motive alone brought me here to-day for II until
the chairman OF your committee urged me to come
ground that kcould thus do good my own people
and his that consented TO address you trust that
these expectations may not be disappointed and that the
spirit which has animated this meeting will spread over
the whole SOUTH hereafter there may be mutual
kindness, forbearance and cooperation between all
classes Of our people. The movement you have
commenced to-day is destined to exercise grea,
influence over the whole country. Apart from the
political Importance OF your meeting, and looking
be greatly gated at the confidence you have reposed
in me- 1t is but another evidence Of that lifelong
kindliness shown by your people myself Kindness
which gladly reciprocats From many Of you have
met mot only kindness but affection. cannot forget
how faithfully some Of your people clung to me through
all the pers and prvations Of the war; cannot forget
that it OF you who was always among the first
at my eide when wounded and the last to leave
me. Such affection is not often met with, nor s Il
easily forgotten, and while have crust Of bread II
shall be shared with this well tried this true this rusty
friend thank You again for this expression Of your
confidence in pray that God will direct you and
that He will prosper you in all worthy aims trust
that your people win become identified in feeling pur-
poses and hopes they in interest," with the South
and that acting harmoniousiy with may together
be able bring TO distracted land peace,
happiness and prosperity.