Year: 1878

and they appealed to all honest


voters to aid them in their patri.


otic undertaking.


In the district represented in


Congress by the distinguished
gentleman, Gen. Chalmers, there
is much larger colorcd majority


than in any district Of this State,
and yet he overcame that ma
jority BY close and Jealous can


vass, appealing to the colored men
in earnest, conservative and cffec-
tive addresses. And what has
been the result? Only a few
days ago saw the report of an
interview had with him, in which
the question was asked: What
be would do if the Republicans
sent speakers to his district to op
| pose his reelection ? He did not
threaten to Ku-Klux them or to
intimidate them he did not say
| that he would resort to the "shot-
| gun policy" but he said that he
! would give those visitors cordial
| welcome; that he would offer
them every facility to meet his con-
stituents, and that he would have
them met everywhere by colored
Democratic speakers.


This is the best commentary on
the Mississippi plan, and that
plan I am, willing to adopt. If
carried out honestly its results
will be as beneficial here as they
have been in our sister State Of
Mississippi; but in the name Of
| our civilization and of all that has
been honorable in South Carolina,
in the name Of our State and Of
our God, l protest against any re-
sort to violence, or wrong, or any
adoption Of the "shot-gun policy /"
We cannot do evil that good may
come Of it. Had we been so
short-sighted as to have endeav-
ored to carry the State at the last
election by force or violence, mar
tial law. !. would have been pro
claimed, and we should now be un-
| der the hateful rule of our op-
pressors. Such, at least, IS my
deliberate judgment, and what
ever might have been the result
ofauy mode ofcanvassing, il could
scarcely have been more auspici-
GUS for our people than that
wrought by the conservative plan
we pursued. Let US be satisfied
and thankful, and, above all, let
us not now forsake the road which
led US to victory in '76, and which,
if followed, will lead US to a still
greater victory in '78. III
| take issue with the senator
from Edgefeld on another point.
In his card to which reference
has been made he spoke in terms
which seemed disparaging to 'the
Hampton Democracy" | have
never assumed to myself the hon
or of founding or attempting to
found school of Democracy. !
am but a simple disciple Of the
great creed taught by Jefferson,
and illustrated by the highest in
tellects and the purest patriots
that the country has produced.


| have been and am content to
follow where they have led, with
out indulging for a moment in the
presumption Of trying to engraft
one article of faith on the creed
promulgated by the fathers-tbat
creed which has given the bright
est pages to the history of the
country, and the success Of which
can alone bring back permanent
peace, harmony and prosperity to
that country. must therefore
disclaim the honor Of giving my
name to any system ofDemocracy,
and l notice this matter only on
account Of the manner in which
Gen. Gary speaks of the "Hamp-
ton Democracy"


IF be means by the language he
has used to insinuate that the
proud banner of our party has
been, lowered in my hands; or if
he intended to reflect upon my
self personally or officially, l pro-
nounce the imputation as unfound-
ed as it is impertinent. It has
never been my custom to touch
upon personal matters in address,
ing my fellow-citizens. I have
left my justification against ad-