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? i .-.- " COLUMBIA. Tuesday Morning. April 14, 1868. A Letter tor the Colored People to Read or Hear Head Before They Voie. We publish, thia morning, the fol? lowing letter from our fellow-oitizen, Col. Thomas, to the Newberry Demo? cratic 'Club. As- this' gentleman is known to advocate a liberal line of - polioy towards tho colored people, and as theso sentiments now ex? pressed are known to haye been held by bim ever since the act of emanci? pation, it would be well for the co? lored peoplo to attach some signifi? cance to his moderate but firm sug? gestions: OOIIUMMA, S. C., April 12, 1868. J. F. J. Caldwell, Jskq., Chairman Execidive Committee, Newberry De? mocratic Club. DEAR Sm: Tho invitation extended to me by the Newberry Democratic Club, to address them at a mass meeting to be hold in your town, on the 13th instant, was received last evening. As I find it inconsistent with my duties to leave Columbia at this time, I must beg you to excuse my absence, and to accept, in placo of an address, this brief expression of the views pertinent to the occa? sion-views whioh are entertained by me with a strong and abiding convic? tion. Allow me to come at once to the gist of the great matter before our peoplo. in the providence of God, the institution of African slavery was established in this country. It grow, extended and planted its roots deep in onr soil. A struggle ensued be? tween the North and South ou the question of sccossion. This straggle brought about tho abolition of Afri? can slavery. Scarcely had the smoke of battle cleared away, when this institution, of nearly 250 y ears' stand? ing, was suddenly, violently, rudely abolished. In tho providence of God it carno, and in that samo providence it passed away. Tho South accepted thc situation-yielded to tho decreo of Heaven; and her people, in con? ventions assembled, gave their assent to the omancipation of th< ir slaves. Thus African slavery coasod for all tindo to exist in these Southern States. What, now, lot me inquire, beaamo tho status of those freed people in our midst and numbering 4,000,000 souls? The answer is, that they, from that timo, became members of the body politic, and, as such, entitled to tho rights claimed for men in a condition of froe citizenship. Losing the pro? tection which the owner gave, the freedman becamo entitled to all civil rights-that is, such rights as "bo? long alike and equally to all citizens, to all classes, to alt colors, to all sexes, to all ages, and to all grades of intellect, society and worth." Such, as I conceive it, was the logical re? sult of the act of emancipation. But it may be asked, does the "right of suffrage" also follow? I submit, not. "Life, liberty and tho pursuit of hap? piness" are claimed to bo the inalien? able rights of man. The Declaration of American Independence, Magna Charta, tho English Bill of Bights, make this olaim. But iu no ono of these great papers, which are cited as embracing all that even the highest typo of humanity claims for itself in tho way of inalienable rights, is tho assertion of suffrage put forth. And whj ? Because suffrage is not ono of these rights, but is a {rust-a sacred trust-a delicate trust, and ono to bo conferred by tho State upon the peo? ple thereof according to considera? tions of expediency, according to their fitness, and agreeably to tho sound Democratic doctrine of tho greatest good to tho greatest number. It follows, therefore, that it is tho right of these Southern States tp de? cide for thomselves to what extent tho trtisl of suffrage shall be conferred upon tho freed people. Tako, now, South Carolina, for instance, and let ns inquire what seems to bo hor duty in tho premises. As Mr. Hill said of Georgia, the negroes in Scr.th Caro? lina aro citizens of South Carolina, and the State must regulato this mat? ter of suffrage. Shall tho negroes bo donied all suffrago, or ahull un? limited suffrage bo extended to them? I submit that thc right is to bc found botween these two extreme?. The radical givos in the. South unqualified suffrage to all negro mon over twen? ty-one years, and denies all suffrage whatover to many white men, be causo of their participation in the lato war. Tho Southern and North? ern extremists deny suffrage to all 'ir M r ? - --;-:- -V. ? - ; \--r-rr negroes, because they are negroes. I repeat it, the right lies between these conflicting views, to wit: in the pro? position of qualified suffrage. Aa a matter of abstract right-ns a matter of j?stice-to , say ? nothing .of tho mitnif*??t policy r,Uu 0.\ yell ie u ey O? the concession-I hold that the State is in equity bound to give to its colored citizens a qualified suffrage a BUffrftge based upon intelligence and pieper ly-a suffrage resting on the sound basis of merit and material acquisition. This, sir, in my humble opinion, is the rock Upon whioh, on this ques? tion, the South can stand before Heaven and before men. This is tho rock against, which the waves of radicaflsm will be found to break in vain. This is the rock, upon whioh, firmly standing, the Democratic par? ty will surely prevail. If there be a peaceful solution of this great ques? tion of the colored man, now before tho Southern people, I solemnly be? lieve that this is that solution. For his sake, as well as our own-for the sake of our common country-we must, if possible, move the black man's case from the political arena. And I can perceive no surer, fairer and speedier way, than by making a generous concession, ana a settle? ment of this vexed question upon the basis of a wiso and just conservatism. This, sir, is the proposition of pcaco, fairness and good will that I regard it our duty to eitond to tho colored people. That Constitution which they are called upon to ratify at the ballot-box, violates tho com? promises I have suggested, as fit and becoming for the two races to adopt. Let them, therefore, pause and think before they decide to give it tho seal of their approbation. It is an iniquitous instrument-a foolish and faulty instrument, and will stand, if adopted, for a time only. It is pos? sible that tho bayonet may hold it up awhile; but, that removed, it must fall to pieces, and give place to ono that shall bear the impress of a sagacious and enlightened and phi? losophical statesmanship. If not too late, I would suggest to tho colored man, that his interests are closely bound up with those of tho whito man-although ho must bear iu mind that we can do without him far better than he without us. I would urge him to turn away from the fatal clutches of the monster of an insane radicalism. Let him again put his faith in tho Sonthorn people, whose prejudices against him ore not half as strong as those entertained nt the North. Let him resist the nets and disregard the fallacious promises of those strolling adventurers, who have come down here to maka the colored people the instrument of their own elevation to power and place. Let him scorn tho proposi? tions of those recreant whites from our own ranks, who would basely barter away the birth-right of their race for a moss of pottage. Let him no longer hearken to tho counsels of those greedy men of his own color, who, in claiming too much for their own people, may make them lose all. And, abovo all, let them at once to-day-leave tho rauks of that Radi? cal party which, arraying tho negro against tba superior strength of the whito man, will surely pave tho way to his ultimate ruin. If, however, the colored man per? sists in his mad career, it is proper for him to understand now and at once, that he can never long rule in the South. Tn tho conduct of affairs, we are willing for him to participate to tho extent already plainly indicated. But to his domination, wo will never willingly submit. This land is ours, and we do not intend to give it up. This is a politicti. contest which we would never abandon. We would pass it from fathor to son. It would go on from generation to generation, until wo had rescued tho land be? queathed to us hy a heroic ancestry. This, let it bo understood, is the re? solve of the South. I repeat, we do uot iutend to surrender our part and parcel herc. God and nature nlike forbid it. The dust of those who were before us, forbids it. The me? mories and traditions of the past-tho tropea ol Ino ni turo-alike forbid it. But it is to be hoped that no such issuo will bo forced upon us. We want peace to repair our broken for? tunes. Hence, I close this letter with tho earnest hopo that better counsel? may prevail with the colored people, ard that it may be possible to find a settlement of this great question of whito and black man, outside of a violent arbitrament. Yours, faith fully, J. P. THOMAS. It i<? reported that the Loudon Timen cleared $3,000.000 last year. THE ELECTIONS.-The following is an extract of a letter received, yester? day afternoon, from a gentleman in the up-country, on whose statements the utmost.reliance can be placed: "The people of Greenville are very mu oh excited, and have recently had political meetings nil over the Dis? trict. I think we shall carry the De? mocratic tioket by a large majority in Greenville; Dickens and ??onee are said to be certain; Spartnnburg will give a D?mocratie majority of one thousand; Anderson will u?question ably elect the Democratic ticket, and it is confidently believed that we shall carry Abbeville, and Laurens, and Newberry. The homestead delusion is pretty well exposed. You need pay no attention to the false ru mora which will be sent from the upper country to influence the election in favor of radicalism below. We adhere to the whole Democratic nomination," Mn. EDITOR: We heard yesterday, from good authority, that several co? lored men from below here-from Trenholm'8 and Guignard's planta? tions-had orders from their captain, Beverly Nash, to como up to Colum? bia to attend the election. On their making known to their commander that they were not voters-not even having registered-ho told them that it was no matter; they hnd to stay anyhow, and that they must go to-day to tho "Camp Ground." Now, has it come to this, that a designing candi? date like Nash, who having been a register, and knows tho laws, would try to get these poor ignorant men into a scrapo! He knows that they have no right to vote. A LOOKER OX. -? ? ? ? White men of Richland, mark well to-day, the processions, leagues, &c. Note well those who march up to voto against your interests. Friend? ship, good will and employment, you offer them; but if they prefer idle? ness and starvation-in God's name, let them have it. CONTRACTOR. WHITE MEN OF COLUMBIA! Arouse and protect yourselves; drop all busi? ness aud spend this day noting the acts of those who this day prove themselves your friends or your foes. There should be no doubt auy longer; find out and know whom you can rely on and trust; and mark the viper who stings his employer. "MARK." To THE COLORED VOTERS OF RICH? LAND DISTRICT, AND OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA PARTICULARLY: DO you kuow, have you ever thought or been told, what it is you say to a largo number of the best, the most intelli? gent, the most reliable class of citi? zens of your State, when you vote for the Constitution submitted to you by the radical Convention? You say to them, by your vote, you are not, my equal, you aro not to bo trusted, yon are not as reliable as the mean? est, vilest, most ignorant colored man in South Carolina; you say more than this-that every colored man, whether he pays any tax or not, shall vote; but you, sir, shall not vote, bnt you shall pay your tax, and we will take the money and educate our children with it. You say this to all our Judges and thousands of other pure men, who have ever been and are this day your best friends. Reflect, consider, what you are doing. Can you? No-you aro not so stupid as to suppose that those whom you thus throw oft' with insult and injury, will cling to you. You can't expect the protection or patron? age of them or their friends. Will ?1 sensiblo man unrso tho viper whe stings him? Will an honorable man condescend even to be shaved by t barber who looks upon bini with snell contempt? I Pause, reflect, consider, beforo yon 1 credit thc promises, fem- Cue threats, obey thc orders or permit yourselves lr be marched up to the polls. Reiuem ber, yon are FREEMEN. I The following Democratic nomina tiona have been made: WILLIAMSBURG.-For Senate-M Schwartz. Representatives-G. J Graham, J. W. Gamble and J. A Nexou. GREENVILLE.-For Senate-Dr, 7 P. Boyce. Representatives-Rev. A C. Stepp, Absalom Blythe, Jame* K. Dickaoa aud Alexander McBe The Rlfcnt Ktnd of Talk. MR. EDITOR: Aaa citizen heartily approving of tho course whioh Col. Thomas has taken iu his political role, we would r^oall tr? mir people the very appropriate language used by him on Saturday .. vening lost. Reminding the colored people of the fair terms tho whites had held out to them, in order to preservo the peace and harmony of tho community, he told them that if, however, they should turn a deaf eur to their propo? sitions, this they mnst bear in mind: That the colored man need not expect to j)ass laws for the white ?tan, that will stand. To negro domination, said he, the whites of the South will never submit. We will give what is fair and just to tho black man; we will concede to him all that reason and an enlightened christian view of the matter may demand. But we will concede no more. Remember, said he, (aa some jeering on the part of somo black man was heard,) that be? neath the velvet glove of concilia? tion, is the mailed hand of an unal? terable resolve. And then going on, in a tone thut thrilled the crowd, he added, this resolve I see in the daunt? less brow and spirit-speaking eyes of tko?e around me. I road it in tho quivering lips; I feel it in the re? cesses of my own svelling emotions. Bad men may provail. The pride of the South may have to pass with bowed head beneath tho ignominious yoke that radicalism North, and base treason South, seek to fasten upon it. But let us possess our souls in pa? tience. There is God in Heaven. There is a D?mocratie host North, with a flaming standard that is wav? ing iu victory. uTruth crushed to earth will rise again; The eternal years of God are hers; Hut error wouudod writhes in pain, And dies among its worshippers'." Colored citizens of Richland, be? ware, beware of your acts this day. You have it in your power, by your votes, to restore the old State to her former power and influence, and at .?he same time to draw closer together the bond of friendship and interest that binds you to the white citizens, who are your true friends, whose in? terests are your interests, whose pros? perity is your prosperity; oryou eau, by following evil advice, widen the breach and forfeit the support of those who now give you work, and whom you have to look to in tho fu? ture. Join in procession to-day with your leagues and societies, and march to the polls, to vote against your frien ls and employers, and yon will soon regret it, when too late. Be? ware, I say, and take advice from those who wish you well; and if you cannot go for your old friends, theu, at all events, do not go with those who do. A VOICE FROM THE SWAMP. Au immense conservative meeting, with the addition of a torch-light procession, fire-works and speeches, was held in Charlotte, N. C., on Friday last. The Charlotte papers are tilled with the particulars on the occasion. The K.K.K, 's were out in full force. The steamer Sea Bird was burned on Lake Michigan, opposite Wauke gan, 111., Thursduy morning, and out of fifty-two or fifty-three passen? gers, only two aro known to have been saved. The statement of sur? vivors is to the effect that the fire was caused by the carelessness of a porter in emptying live coals, and that officers and all became de? moralized on tho first appearance of danger. A CHILD SMOTHERD TO DEATH KY ITS NURSE-Coroner Whiting hold an inquest Friday, at tso. 42 Beau fain street, upon the body of David Soabrook Taylor, a whito child, aged five months, who was smothered to death by its colored nurse falling asleep, and while in that condition, rolling over her ohnrgc. [Charleston Courier. THE SI'BINO EXPEDITION TO LTHE KIA.-Tho Colonization Society's ship Golconda is to sail from Baltimore, on Wednrsday next, the 15th, and from Savannah, on the 4th of May, for Liberia. She will carry out about 650 colored people, said to be composed of the best and most in? dustrious of that race in the South, who have asked tho society to send them to the laud of their futhers. Xaooal T.tems. li Polls vf ill be opened at the old ico house, on Washington street, and at ^ rho Palcft?*to Er. gi nc Hou??, uu Blnnding street. J THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA. - ? We learn that General Canby has I ordered t he present Mayor and Coun oil to continue iu office, until further orders. Messrs. F. W. Wing and C. P. Reuvsen have beon appointed to / I fill vacancies occasioned by the death of Aldermen Stork and Hitchcock. DEMOREST'S PARLOR MAGAZINE. This excellent magazine-tho May ? number of whioh is before us-is I constantly growing in popularity. It gives all, and more than all, that 1 it promises-strives to meet the | wants of American women, and tells them what they want to know. It j is not fri volons; its teachings are I high, and pure, aud sound, charac- I terized by good tasto and common I sense. Its departments of music, I needle-work, braiding, patterns, etc., ff i are either ono worth the price of F subscription, which is only 83.00 per \ year, with a handsome and valuable premium. Office, 473 Broadway, New York. EASTER ELECTION.-Trinity (.'hurd:. Wardens-Dr. M. LaBorde, A. R. C: Taylor. Vestrymen-Wade Hamp? ton, John S. Preston, Dr. Wm. Rey? nolds, J. P. Thomas, E. H. Hein i tah, J. B. rainier, Thoa. Taylor, Dr. R ^ W. Gibbes, Clark Waring, Dr. E. D. 1 Smith, A. C. Haskell, Thos. E. Gregg, Thoa. Davis. TEST YOUR KEROSENE.-Under this J heading, tho Scientific Ameriorin, in ? viow of tho many lamp explosions / resulting almost invariably from the use of bad kerosene, urges tko ini portauce of testing their oil before use in the lamp. This, it says, may be readily done by any mau, woman or child, by means of a thermometer, a littl? warm water anda table-spoon? ful of the oil. Pill tho cup with warm water, tho temperature of which is to be brought to 110 deg. Fahrenbiet. Pour the oil ou the water;apply a flame to the floating oil by match or otherwise. If the ?J oil is unsafe, it will take fire, and its I uso in tho lamp is dangerous, for it is liable to explode. But if the oil is safe and good, it will not take fire. AN IMPORTANT ORDER.-The fol? lowing order, issued by Gen. Canby, should ho considered by every civil officer: CHARLESTON, S. C., April 10, 1868. It is hereby ordered, that all re? signations of civil officers, tendered either to the military or oivil authori? ties of North Carolina or South Ca? rolina, shall not take effect, or relieve J the officer tendering tho same from his responsibility for a due discharge ? of the duties of his office, until the acceptance thereof is offioially noti- ^ 1 fled, and a successor to such office hus Jt been duly appointed and qualified. j MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-The post office open during the week from 8^ a. m. to 0 p. m. Ou Suudays, from ??) ? to 5>.j p. m. The Charleston aud Western mails are open for delivery at 4 '.j p. m., and ' close at 8)4 P- m? Northern-Open for delivery at $}? a. m., closes at 2.45 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery 5 !? p, m., closes at 8 p. m. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention is call? ed to tho following advertisements, pub? lished this morning for the tira? time ll ir J j" uOlo?.?.i-Au i m w] i H?, oic. Cloaveland Mineral Springs. Jacob Bell-Citation. t Meeting True Brotherhood Lodge. | C. B. Manson-Stockholders' Meeting. Geo. Symmors-Fruit, Cider, Ale. 1 M. W. Bythowoud-Auction. ^ Mayes A."Martin-Mules for Sale. V John P. Howard, a one-armed ex Confederate soldier, was shot on the 9th, from bia horse, and instantly killed, about four miles from Selma, Ala., on the Brownsville road. Thc assassin has not yot boon arrested. This is the fifth white man murdered in that immediate vicinity since the war, and no one has been arrested.