The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, April 14, 1868, Image 2
? 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.