Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

birth, having lived and married here twelve years ago, lie waa neither a Southern nora Northern man, in the popiilsir acceptation of the term. At the beginning of tho war, ho had delivered war speeches, and subse? quently raised negro soldiers, gone into the army himself, and received tho first negro commission given by President Lincoln. There ho had remained until his raco was free. He did not do this because he did not love tho Southern whites, for it was from Gen. McGowan, of Abbeville, lawyer Wilson aud others, that ho had learned to read and write, and I received a respectable English educa? tion. For these and othor favors, he hod always loved tho Southern peo? ple; and when ho heard men say at the North ithat slaveholders would never seo God's face in Heaven, he had defeudod thom, because ho knew thousands, and had seen many a slaveholder dio, whom ho expected to meet iu tho better laud. Tho South? ern man was not to blame in this matter, so much as bis education and God's providence had over-ruled it all. Ho could not condemn the South, therefore, any more than the North. If the head of slavery was here, its tail was certainly thero. Tho Constitution was a slave holding Con? stitution. Wendell Phillips, Daniel Webster and the Supremo Court had so declared. Tho Democratic party was a slavoholding party, and that party for fifty years had shaped the destinies of the country. Ho regretted that his Excellency the Governor had been compelled to retire, for ho did not desire to reply to his remarks in bis absence. Go? vernor Orr was a gentleman whom the speaker, when bo lived in Abbe? ville, regarded as almost an angel-a supremo hoing; and he still enter? tained tho highest respect for his high ton jd.moral sentiments. Because he had advocated slavery, and had acted with tho Democratic party-the rot? ten copperheads of to-day-he did not blame him so much as ne did the constitution under which he was raised, and the education ho had re? ceived. One word with reference to the party that made the bondmen free. He knew that tho North did not com? mence tho war for any such purpose. Indeed, the South had showed much the truer gallantry in fighting to per? petuate slavery, for the North had ridden tho feu?o with ono leg on one side, and one leg on the other. For that reason, ho had occasion to thank no people for their freedom, to-day. He thanked God, and God alone, that the black man was permitted to stand upon that platform aud speak thc language of his heart. Ho desired it to bo emphatically understood that ho was a friend ot tho Southern people. Ho had fought against them, but ho had fought fox bis race; and ho cared uot ono cent about any Government, except so fal as it affected the rights of that race. No! Give him a Government thal respected his manhood and aecuroc him its privileges, and in proportion to thc extent which it did that, h( would fight for that Government ti tho death. The South itself hac rebelled because her people did nol caro for a Government which did nol respect their rights. It was tho saint with the black mau. Let him be free. What was the black man doing tc be worthy of the boon that had beer given? The eyes of the world wen fixed upon the race, and it becanu them lo act iu a manner which wonk meet tho expectation' of mankind Were they educating themselves, ad vaucing, progressing? Woro the; alive to great responsibilities ta parents, and groat duties a* men am women, devolving upon them? Hi did not recognize Caucasian blooi nor negro blood. God out of om blood made all nations. Thero wai no such thing as species of blood Thero was a difference of color oi tho skin, thero is a difference o temp?rature in tho various zones but tho same soul existed in botl races, aud that soul boro tho imag of God. Were they, therefore, mak ing efforts at self-improvement Were they wiping ont the last vestig about them of slavery? Woro the; doing what they could to eradicat proscriptive laws which prevented a men from standing upon a commo platform-all fellow-brethren, wit God for a common Superior? Tho speaker counselled his hcarci to industry-to be respectful, polit and intelligent, aud to satisfy thei Southern friends that they desire only tho kindest relations. Ho bin self never felt so gallant in his lifo r ho did to-day, because it was his pr vrlego to bo or not to bo HO. Many white pcoplo imagined thc woro tho dupes of a Northern part; but ho would havo it understood th' they would cling only to that part; North or South, which looked the* rights squarely iu tho face and aimi a blow at wrong. He was not hero to divido his ra from the white people. On tho co trary, he desired perfect harmon but if tho white niau of tho Sou was determined to support the co perhoads, ho could not receivo tl support of tho black man. If a par was organized which would give n qualified manhood to all mou-a par that would cleanse State constitutio and securo justico aud right-a par that would give him justico on t railroad cars, and not permit his wi to be smoked out of a car in win sho had paid full faro-that was t party for him. But if thero was ai party in tho world which thc Sou ought to hate, and which tho color man ough*; to hate, it waa the Demo? cratic party. It had fed the South on soft corn and then ohoked them with the cob. It was still opposing the bls,ck man and his rights. The speaker referred at length to the Scriptural illustration used* by Gov. Orr with reference to the cap? tivity of tho Israelites and their so? journ in tho wilderness, and contend? ed tbrro was no analogy between tbe condition of tho two peoples. In the first place, ho did not believe the white peoplo wore like old Pharaoh ; and secondly, that they did not de servo to bo swallowed up in the Red Sea. They had gone through a red sea of blood already, and now ho de? sired to see every vestigo of bato-if such a feeling existed-buried. God know thoy did not wish to be tho means of oppression to the whitos God know be regretted that any man had been disfranchised; he regretted the cause. Ho wished to see all men untrammelled, to go where thoy pleased-to go into court houses-to go into tho penitentiary, if their works carried them there--to go to Congress, or to hell, or to Heaven. They had been a patient people. For two hundred and forty-six years of captivity, they had ploughed the fields and tilled tho earth. Cities, towns and villages had grown up by magie, dotting tho land, and wealth been poured into tho coffers of the nation. And I claim, said the speak? er, while we do not hold a title to tho country, tho sweat of our brow, that has oozed out all over these fields, makes this our home, and I believe God Almighty will, some time, per? mit us to enjoy a portion of it. But, we must oil bo friends. If we cannot befriends, politically, lotus bo friends as men, and do those things which a common interest demands. Tho great reason why I go with the Republican party is, that it is the best party-and that is bad enough for the black mon ; but I say again, that I caro for no party and no Go? vernment which will not givo mo my rights. Allow me to tell you that the present privilege is only an experi? ment. The people want to seo what amount of ability you ore conoble of employing, and I tell you that, un? less you act squarely and fairly, and not be backing hero and filling there; unless you do what is right with re? ference to tho white man as well os the black, you will bo damned. Build up a party on a proper platform, however, and our destiny is safe. God will take care of us, and thc nation will seo us protected. Mr. Gibbes made a happy speech, in which, without nlludiug to poli? tics, he gavo much sound advice tc the colored people. He said that he felt satisfied tho peoplo of the two races, in this District, understood each other, and that, if wo continue to occupy a common platform, om interests being so identical, the wel? fare of tho community would be sub served, and the colored man espe cially would enjoy- the benefit ol' th( progress and prosperity, materially and politically, which would result. Brevet Lieut. Col. Mooro, of the Cth U. S. Infantry, followed. He said ho was no politician or speaker, and simply desired to express tin pleasure he enjoyed in seeing so larg? an audience gathered for the purpose of organizing a party and adopting r platform of principles in accordance with the new relations which the colored man now bore to society. He referred to tho Kansas troubles, elnr ing which his regiment was in tba Territory, anel the manner of his con version from good old Democracy te Frcesoilism, Republicanism, Aboli tionism nnd Radicalism, anel brough up one or two reminiscences connect cd with the "rebel" (so-called officers of the commauel, in whicl they came very near being swallowet olive. He contended that the amenelmen to tho Constitution was not a elamagi to the instrument, anel only the re suit of a condition of affairs whicl absolutely necessitated tho change ami as far as tho right of suffrng was concerueel, saiel he felt satisfice that if the political condition of th' country was all right, "nobody's vot could elo any harm," and it wouleln' moko thc slightest differenco whicl of the rival candidates was elected so far as tho best interests of th country were involved. The act o crating a vote was no great thing. I there was any harm in it, it was ii voting for a man who eliel not advc cato correct principles. Tho Colonel aeleleJ some genem gooel advice to his remarks, os fol lows: "Obey tho laws fully; bowar of corrupt politicians; beware c demagogues, and never bo afraid t do right, if all hell stands nt th door. " John T. Oauston, a colored ma from "Washington, D. C., was th next speaker, and in au intelligei and sometimes eloquent manner, in pressed his audience. "We have nc spaco for even a sketch of his re marks. Indeed, it is almost nnnecei snry, for tho lending points hov already been stated in thc speech e Turner. The resolutions were then repor cd, as follows: Whereas the citizens of Riehlau District have met in mass meeting, t adopt n platform that may receive tl approval and support of all friends of a national republican Government; be it Resolved, That we would bail with grateful hearts the early restoration of our beloved State to tho Union under the Constitution and amend? ments. Resolved, That we will not support any mau for office who will not pledge himself to carry out the great principles of the Declaration of In? dependence and the constitutional amendments, and of the Act of the 2d of March, 1867, known as the military bill-that is, the fifth and sixth sections of that Act. Resolved, That universal suffrage accords with the principle that all just Governments are founded upon tho consent of tho governed, and that we will advocate a Constitution for South Carolina that shall grant universal equality beforo the laws to all, irrespective of race, color or pre? vious condition. Resolved, That free schools for the education of all children, irrespective of race or color, should be guaran? teed by constitutional provision. Resolved, That it is one of the first duties of tho Stato Legislature to re? form tho civil and criminal codes of tho State, so that they may accord with tho enlightened sentiments of the present day. Resolved, That we recognize thc hand of a merciful Providence in the changes that havo been wrought in the land, and wo invoke His assist? ance and direction in tho work now devolving upon us, and pray Him to bestow upon us and upon our whole country His favor and blessing. Resolved, That an Executive Com? mittee of thirteen be appointed by the Chairman, whoso duty shall be to promote the political interests of the loyal citizens of tho District, and, at proper times, to call meetings for the nomination of candidates for such offices as need to bo filled, and for other important purposes; said Committee to serve for one year, un? less sooner discharged by a general meeting of the loyal citizens of the District. After tho reading aud adoption of the above resolutions, speeches wero made by Messrs. John Caldwell and Thos. J. Robertson, and Mr. "Wright, Superintendent of tho Freedman's School in this city. After the election of au Executive Committeo of thirteen-five white and eight colored-in accordance with tho last resolution, a generous collec? tion was taken up to pay for the music. And then, iu the same quiet and orderly manner with which it had assembled, the meeting dispersed. Judge Kelley is expected here ucxt week. COLUMBIA. Thursday Morning, May 2, 1867. l in Freedom of thc Prcws. lu all countries, the people gene? rally support tho freedom of the press, and no matter however de? spotic the Government may be, tho press, iu a conflict with the civil authorities, in nine cases out of teu, eventually comes out triumphant. Wo have a noteworthy instanco of this, which has recontly transpired at the capital of tho French Empire. On the 8th ultimo, M. DeGerardin, tho chief editor of the journal La Liberte, published an article severely reflecting ou the French Goverument for its course iu regard to the Duchy of Luxemburg. The salo of the paper on thc street was at onco pro? hibited, and tho following day the sale went down from 29,600 to 27,100; but, tho next day, tho number of copies sold was over 30,000. On tho day after the street sale of La Liberte liad been prohibited, thc editor published an article headed, "What it Costs to Tell tho Truth," ' referring to tho co sts of his owu trial. In thc coarse of his remarks, M. DeGorardiu said that "if you tell a sovereign how he might bo great, ho will treat you as Louis XIV treated Vauban, or Louis XVI Tnrgot-he will say you are perverse or charlatan. But tell him bc has never committed a single fault, and ho will overwhelm you with favors and reposo in you his entire confidence." For theso words, the Government has com? menced fresh actions against La Liberte. Tho freedom of the press is the bulwark of liberty-that is, tho legi? timate freedom, not tho licentious? ness which journalists sometimes in? dulge in. Tho press of a country should bo its great lever of conserva? tism in maintaining, to the cxteut of its influence, good government, law and order, as well as in donouueing crime aud upholding virtue. Fear or favor, punishment or reward, should not operate upon tho conscientious discharge of the duties of a public journalist; while, on tho other baud, if' he transcends the limits that the good order and virtue of society infal? libly define, and use* bis powerful instrumentality in subverting these, the popular sentiment-at least that portion of it which is entitled to go? vern, will speedily write- its verdict against him. Publio men and public nets aro legitimate objects of the criticism of tho press of any .country; but to step beyond this line-which, by tho woy, is defined by the laws of all civilized Governments-and invades the sanc? tity of private life, impugns and de? scants upon the motives of indivi? duals-when it palliates vice and j crime, no matter in what rank or sta? tion of life it appears-wdien it wan? tonly- creates popular disturbances, and endeavors to subvert law and order by seditious language-in the ono case, the courts are open to pro? secution for libel; and in tho other, any Government owes it to itself that law, order, and tho consequent well? being of communities, should not be overthrown by charlatans or dema? gogues who may seek to direct or control public opiofOU. And this is just tho difference between the right? ful "freedom of the press," which we hear so much about continually, aud that licentiousness which foments disorder and breeds anarchy. How far tuc French editor may have trans? cended the proper limits assigned by an imperial Government, we have no means of knowing, as we have not seen the article referred to; but if it was against his Government and tho rights of his country, that Govern? ment properly interfered; but if it was merely a fair criticism of the public policy of that Government, whether with regard to its foroign relations or its internal management of the affairs of State, it was impoli? tic-at least, it would be undera free Govern incut-to notice or interfere j with such coniuienhiries on its course I of action. Men may admire the pluck, so ; called, of an editor who makes it his hobby to abuse and denounce every? thing that may not suit his fancy, or which may 'ie nt variance with the policy or prosperity of his party, or those^vho think with him on public affairs; but in either ease, whether the amenities of private or social life are encroached upon, or the public weal affected by a prostitution of thc high functions ol' journalism to the interests of pavty or faction, the ver? dict of public opiuion will finally crush him. We know of instances of this, in our long connection with journalism, aud we have never known the result of our observations, as abovo indicated, to fui!. The jour? nalist who scourged every one whom he thought desevved it, or he who was continually stiiviug up party strife and discord, although account? ed plucky and smart, and was lauded for tho moment by the breath of popular applause, and held up as an example of "independence" to his brethren, invariably failed to receive support, and becamo merely a note of admiration, to bo talked about by those who neither understand nor ap? preciate the duties and responsibili? ties of true journalism. And we are happy to believe, if not know, that this great conservator-public opi? nion-hos contributed much in this country to tho establishment of tho trno "freedom of the press." DISFRANCHISEMENT-THE ATTOR NEY-GENEEAI/S OFINION.-The spe? cial correspondent of the Baltimore Sun, of Tuesday, says: Attorney-General Stanbervy has been closely engaged to-day in tho preparation of his opinion upon tho disfranchisement under tho recon? struction laws, and it will bc com? pleted and read at the cabinet meet? ing, to-morrow. The opinion was called for by Genoral Grant, who apprehended that difficulties might Grise from a lock of concurrence of judgment among tho commanders of tho fivo districts, and others, who are to bo entrusted with the construction of the law in its application to regis? tration and voting at elections. Tho immediate suggestion of tho Attor? ney-General's opinion was, however, Gen. Sheridan's threatened removal of Governors Wells and Throckmor ton. It is understood that Mv. Stanbor ry's opinion will be adverse to the decision of Gen. Sheridan, excluding from registration a largo number of municipal officers and naturalized citizens who fail to show their certifi? cates of naturalization. THE SUPREME COURT.-Hon. Re? verdy Johnson will represent West Virginia, on Monday next, in the Supvemo Couvt of tho United States, in tho suit brought by Virginia for tho recovery of Jefferson and Berkc ' ley Counties. ?i Spread of Demoralisation. The peculiar coudition of affairs in the Southern States is ovidontly bring? ing bad men forward, and making them bold in their operations. Wo extract the following paragraph from the Montgomery Advertiser, which was part of a private lotter received iu that city from Selma. As the. Ad? vertiser says, a good many of the men who aro now thrusting themselves to the front, in the peculiar conditiou of tho South, will bear watching. The extract of thc lotter reads: "Au order has just becu shown herc, purporting to be issued by Major-Geueral Swayne, dated at Montgomery, aud prohibiting tho holding of the circuit court of Greene County. Tho jiulgo was, iu conse? quence, compelled to adjourn court from day to day until ho could learn from tho General whether or not the order was genuine. George Gold thwaite, Esq., was on his way to Montgomery to look into tho matter, and, fortunately, met Gen. Swayne in Selma, who, the moment he saw tho order, pronounced it spurious, aud not emanating from him." "General Swayne has returned to this city, and, we learn, while at Selma, sent tho order back to Greene County by Captain Goldthwaite, with tho endorsement that it was a palpa? ble forgery." What the object of such a forgery could be, wo cannot divine, but it exhibits a bolducss iu rascality that, wo should think, must elicit strict investigation from tho military au? thorities of Alabama. Well may the Advertiser ask what is the country coming to, when the evil disposition of some mon go to such extremo lengths as to forgo military orders to suspend tho courts of the country. Demoralization and vice are spread? ing all over tho country, and will soon ripen iuto - crime and out? rage, unless speedily aud summarily checked. Wo regret to see this con? ditiou of affairs at tho South, when all should feel thc necessity of aid? ing, by morality aud industry, to re? store her to her former standard, from any demoralization that might havo naturally followed a protracted war. Such conduct as tho above should be reprobated by every good citizen, as it gives occasion , to an evil reputa? tion, for which tho people of tho South do not, and never did give, any just cause. ? Gen. SchofU-lil Admonition'. The Richmond Times, of Tuesday, publishes the following admonition or "warning" to that paper, allusion to which was made in our telegraphic despatches on Sunday: HEADQUARTERS Frasr DISTRICT, STATE or VIRGINIA, RICHMOND, VA., April27, 1867. Mr. Charles II. Wynne, Proprietor of the Richmond'Times, Richmond, Va. SIR: The Commanding General directs mo to call your attention to an editorial article in tho Richmond Times, of this morning, headed "A Black Mau's Party in Virginia," and to say that, whilo he desires not only to permit, but to encourage tho ut? most freedom of discussion of poli? tical questions, the character of the article referred to calls for severo censure. Especially tho following words: "It is a proposition which implies that they uro ready to grasp the blood-stained hands of the authors of our ruin," aro au intoler? able insult' to all soldiers of tho United States army, and no less so to all truo soldiers of tho late Con? federate army, as they have, long since, extended to each other tho cordial hand of friendship, and pledged thoir united efforts to re? ston) pence and harmony our wholo country. Tho efforts of your paper to foster enmity, create disorder and lead to violence, can no longer bo tolerated, lt is hoped this warning will bo sufficient. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. F. CHAPLIN, Assistant Adjutant-General. To this thc editor of tho Times replies, saying that tho term "blood? stained" was used figuratively and not as applying to tho soldiers of tho United States army, but to the radi? cal orators, now visiting tho South. -? 4 ? > THE TURN OF TUE TIDE.-A well informed writer, who occupies a fa? vorable stand-point for observation, says: "A political calm has begun to pre? vail over tho wholo North. The radi? cals havo exhausted all their means of agitation, and, as a party, they aro losing ground. If they cannot advance, they must fall back. Late elections in Chicago and various other places show that tho radicals cannot bring their old columns to tho polls. New issues will soon arise upon which parties will divide. Thc old ones aro already nearly out of sight. After the re-organization of tho ten Southern Slates and their representation in Congress, n na? tional policy cannot bo maintained in thc North." There aro 42,247 exhibitors to the Paris Exposition. Tjooal Items. ANNUAL MEETING.-Thc annual meeting of tho stockholders of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad Company will bo held in the chapel nt Nickersou'.s Hotel, this morning, at 10 o'clock. LATE NEW YORK PAPERS.-Messrs. Duffie & Chapman have placed on our desk late copies of tho New York World, Leslie's Chimney Corner, and the New York Ledner. They receive these and other papers regularly. MUSICAL FESTIVAL.-Tho gran? concert by tho talented Miss Fein inger and Messrs. Deuck and Fein inger will como off this evening, in Jauney's Hall. Our citizens, we have no doubt, will turu out in large num? bers, and thus show their apprecia? tion of nativo talent. HANDSOME ROQUET.-A friend has presonted us with a very handsome hoquet, composed of geraniums and hot-house flowers, for which we feel truly grateful. Wc have also been requested to state that hoquets of any style will bc prepared at short notice. Orders can bo left at the Pollock House, on Main street. Jon PRINTING.-Thc Job Office of thc PJianix is as complete as any in thc South. It is furnished with new fonts of type of all descriptions and of the most modern styles. All work executed promptly, with taste and skill, and at reasonable rates. SUPPORT YOUR OWN JOURNALS. The -Gleaner, issued every "Wednes? day, from this office, defies competi? tion as a literary and news journal. Thoso who subscribe to it are kept well posted up in the current events of the day', as it embraces the tele? graphic news, political, commercial, stato of the markets, ?ve., up to the hour of going to press. TlIE PltESIDENTS SOUTHERN YlSIT. The Washington Union has the following remarks on the President's contemplated visit to thc South. Would it not be well for the city au? thorities aud people of Columbia, to extend an invitation to Mr. Johnson, to visit this city. Wc feel sure that such action would meet the genera! approval of our citizens: President Johnson has, we under? stand, accepted an iuvitationjto visit Raleigh, North Carolina, about the middle of next month. Raleigh is intimately associated with the youth? ful life of Androw Johnson, and the invitation came from old personal friends. There is also a special oc? casion for the visit. The long un? known grave of his father has been discovered, and the President is to be a witness of tho erection of a a monument with which it is to be adorned. He will be accompanied, wo understand, by Mr. Seward, and ono or two others of his Cabinet. Ho will take Richmond in his way. and after leaving Raleigh, will visit other Southern towns; and it is pro hablo that he will occasionally ad? dress tho people who may assemble to greet him. Tho utterances of the President of the United States upon political topics are always of great importance, and tho President will not fail to give his views upon the vital questions of the hour. Another opportunity will be given tho agitators of tho radical party to revilo tho President, and to organize noisy demonstrations against him at every railroad station at which they can gather a turbulent crowd. It will not be forgotten that tho violent scenes in tho West last year, pre? concerted and promoted by Governor Morton, and other reckless radicals, more than onco assumed tho shape of riots. If tho radical disturbers of order should feel therr.ielves incit? ed to like acts of heroism on the visit of tho President, wo hope they will bo mado to feol somo of the disci? pline they havo introduced into the North. Tho reconstruction Gene? ral, in whoso territory a radical mob may bo tempted to any excesses, will, without doubt, be able to make ample military provision to preserve order. CARDS! CARDS!-Show cards, busi? ness cards, visiting and wedding cards, executed at tho Phoenix Job Office, in tho neatest styles of the art. Curds of all sizes constantly on hand, and all orders from town or country promptly attended to. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention ia cab? ed to tlie followirig advertisements, whicl ans published thia morning fer the firat time: J. Fanning-Restaurant. J. C. Seeders A Co.- Lemons. Ac. Sleeting Trustees University ,s. c. A. lt. Colton-Wolf's Reaper. Duffie A. chapman New Dooks, Ac. Jacob bevin Lard at Auction. S. W. Mi lton -Residence to Rent. Fisher A Lowrance- Country Flour. Burr A Lee-Notice. Long (alosar^ usually uninteresting, but all consumers .ill be benefitted and h I rested by reading tho eh tire advertisement and then examining the stock ef Mr. Ii C. Shiver.