Year: 1875




"


MEETING OF WHITE CITIZENS OF CHARLESTON


TO PROTEST AGAINST THE ELECTION OF


wHIPPER AND MosEs-DETERNIINED ATTITUDE


OF THE TAxPAYERs-THE PRosTRATIoN OF


THR JUDICIARY WILL NOT BE SUBMITTED TO.


CHARLESTON, Dec g. 1875.


mass meeting of the white citizens of Charleston
was held tonight for the purpose Of ndorsng the
tion of Governor Chamberlain in refusing to
missions to Ex-Governor Moses and W. j. Whipper, the
newly elected judges Of the first and third circuits II
was the largest and most enthusiastic meeting of white
citizens held Charleston being attended by all
the large property holders in the county. Speeches
made by many of the leading citizens of the city
and great applause given the declaration that,
while white citizens would guarantee all the rights ac
corded to negroes by the laws of the United States,
they


WOULD NOT SUBMIT


to the election of Moses and Whipper to the Bench
unless the power OF the United States government
was invoked to secure their elevation. The meeting
was composed Of the odest and most respectable ct
zens of the place, and unfnchng determination
evnced to suffer anything rather than to submit
to the elevation of two OF the most notorious men in
the State to the judiciary At the close of the meeting
the following address was adopted
We have assembled to confer upon condition OF
affairs as grave as ever imperilled the peace and
wel-being of any community. The foundation OF So
ciety is pure judiciary, and It's corruption perver-
sion to evil purposes destroys the last hope OF securing
to people protection and liberty


The action of the Legislature in eectng Judges w.
J. Whipper and F. J. Noses Jr., men whose proper
place court house is the criminals dock is
suit to every honest citizen and violation OF every
safeguard which the law affords to life, liberty and
property


But this action is not in itself the full measure of the
evil that con!ronts Bad it is graver aspect
is in what it signifies. We recognize in the recent
judicial elections the ascendancy control OF the
worst elements Of the political party which governs
the State. Actuated by relentless hate, based upon
race and stimulated by the


PROSPECT PLUMBER


and revenge, they have repudated all restraint, and
inaugurated policy which inevitably leads the de-
struction OF decent government the material in
teress OF the State and mpers our very civilization
Under such condition OF things law to protect
and government itself becomes the oppressor.
What shall VIC do to avert tho destruction which
must surely result from the contamination OF the
policy thus s have sSfs p Ss he
hopes of party ascendancy; have put party
ticket in the held, but have sought and hoped for
peace, stability and pure government through the
publican party.


They have strven not to antagonize but to
HARMoSIzE CONFLICTING RACES


interests and opinions, patiently waiting to obtain as
the fruits Of their forbearance the blessings good
government In every form in which the effort could
be made II has boon tried and when through the wise
firm and patriotic administration of Governor Cham
berlan, the end seemed about to be obtained repub
lCan TepuulAlcS uoucSl cHOTlS Oh
publican Governor impatienty resents his control
and with rceklessness born of ignorance and hate
commits the State to career destructive of its peace
and fatal to its prosperity.


The failure 10 obtain relief through the agency OF
the republican party of the State is utter and hopeless
The responsibilities and obligations imposed upon in
this emergency must be fearlessly met. Its
FIRST DUTY


citizens to whom the character and future Of the
State dear earnestly and solcmny to protest against
the action OF those who have net only brought reproach
upon their own party, but have endangered the very
foundations OF social fabric and to every means
to wrest from them the power which they have wan
only abused We deprecate all appeal to passion and
prejudice, but it behooves US to speak plainly The at
rNFAMY AND CORRUPTION
in the seat of justice violates the primal
.nstincts of civilized humanity, and to
that will submit The right to
justice and good government which dare not
rcinqush With no hostility to the colored people Of
the State, mindful OF the good conduct OF those who
have not been msled by evil counsels, we are deter
mined to them every right and privilege guar
by the constitution and of the laws OF the
try bat the avowed purpose that there shall not be
equality but a domination OF their race over the
properly and rights OF the white people
last and under no circumstances Shall 1t prevail We
appeal the honest and intelligent portion OF the col
ored people who their share of the political shame
but share part of the political punder while there
Is yet time, away from tho evil counsels which
leading to contest which must end in their utter
ruin. We raise


NO POLITICAL ISSUE.


The issue higher than party and seeks the end
Tor which parties are organized. we recognize the
earnesness and fidelity with which portion OF the
publican party, under the leadership of Governor
Chamberlain, mas to establish government
which should respect the rights and protect
the interests OF all the people Of the State.
But they have failed. The worst elements of
their party have defeated them. With confidence in
|. their sincerity, ask them to continue their
Efforts and without the abandonment OF political prn
cipes to aid in the attainment of common end,
the establishment OF pure ana honest government Be
IT, therefore,


Resolved That as citizens OF this State protest
against the of the General Assembly electng
as Judges men notorously corrupt as W. j. WhippeT
and +. j. Moses Jr, and avow our determination to
resist II to the end.


That we protest against the continuance in Office OF
legislators regardless Of duty and reckless of the
character the peace and the prosperity OF the State,
and we will use every effort 10 drive them from power.
That VIC cordially indorse the action Of Governor
Chamberlain in refusing to issue commissions as
judges to W. J. Whipper and H. j. Moses, Jr, and
pledge him the full support Of this community In his
efforts to the people Of the State faithful ad
ministraton of the law.


That we render 20 Governor Chamberlain our CRATE
u thanks for the bold aud statesmanlko struggle nc
has made In the cause Of reform, in the economical
administration Of the government in the preservation
OF the public faith in the equal administration Of JUS
tce aud in the maintenance OF the public peace, and
we pledge him steadast support for the accom-
pllshment OF these ends.