Year: 1874

| legally assist us. 1t would he the
growing glory Of General Grants
administration to effect a recon-


Struction, and restore to the plum.


dored and ruined States of the
Snnth the blessings Of good gov
ornmcnt, and the opportunity to


.njoy and to contribute to the fu.


:nre prosperity Of the country.


! cannot think that he will be in
| iffcrent and | know how CRATE
/ ally his aid would be appreciated


y our suffering Sonth Carolinians.
Could he be brought face to face


with the monstrous evils which


degrade and Cypress US, nothing
could prevent him from employ
ing every prcrogatlve Of his vast
power to crush them out forever


After all, however, our relief de-
pendS mostly upon our own peo-
pic. Let them organize and con-
soliGatc all honest men who can
rise above unworthy prejudiccs
and party slavery, to rescue tie
State from anarchy, ruin, and, in
the end, bloody despair. Re-
specting the Republican principles
of the colorcd citizens, we should
carncstiy seek their cooperation
in the movement. The State has
been plunged into this ruin by
the rapacity and dishonesty Of
their trusted leaders, who have
brought shame and obloquy upon
, the party, whose honor and intc-
rests were in their keeping, and
trampIed upon every right and iu-
tcrest Of the whole people in their
! insatiatc greed for plundcr. They
owe the State some rcparation for
the past, and we surely may hope
that there arc some thousands hay
ing sufficient honesty, intelligence
and patriotism to join the hue and
cry against the robber band. Not
many would be required, for the
true majority of the Radicals has
always been exaggerated. The
whites have never been fully poll
ed since the war, and the ballot
has never been free from frauds.
To secure such cooperation, the
honest colored people should be
invited to full share Of all pub
lie Office. Power entrusted to US
should be administered without
favor or prejudice, so as to secure
the best interests of the whole
people, protect equally in the
enjoyment of his just rights every
citizen, however high or humble,
and promote the welfare Of all
alike, SO far as may come within
the legitimate sphere of govern
mcnt. Upon such principles only
can harmony and good govern
ment be secured ia the present
state Of society here. Co-opera
ton in this good work would lead
to mutual dependence, respect and
good will, and tend more to the
elevation and development Of the
colored people than all other pos,
siblc expedients. l consider these
views worth bordering at this
time with reference to the tax-pay-
ers' movement and the promised
reform in the Republican party.
OF course, the policy Of the peo-
pie can only be settled by con-
vGnLious Of their authorized rep
rcscntatives, but it is we'll to take
counsel together and to inter
change views beforehand, in order
that the public mind may settle
down upon such measures as may
be approved after due considera-
ton. ] firmly believe the hour
Of deIicerancc is at hand. if we
but be true to ourselves. Indeed,
the crisis does not admit the
thought of failure. Success is q
necessity; failure is death and
disgrace TO the commonwealth
| need not say to you that do
not presume to dictate g policy,
and consider my opinions of much
less importance than yon seem
to attribute to them such as they
are, they are heartily at your SER
vice. Very truly, yours,


J. B. KERSHAW.


':lIarm what du you think Sal