Skip to main content
The largest online newspaper archive

The Daily Phoenix from Columbia, South Carolina • Page 2

Publication:
The Daily Phoenixi
Location:
Columbia, South Carolina
Issue Date:
Page:
2
Extracted Article Text (OCR)

THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET. For President, HORATIO SEYMOUR, OP N. Y. For Vice-President, GEN. P.

P. BLAIR, OF MISSOURI. COLUMBIA. Tuesday Morning, July 28,1868. Democratic Meeting at Salada: Fac? tory.

Saturday was a proud day for tho Democracy of the vicinity of Saluda Faotory. They bad given out word, for several days previous, that they were going to haye a barbecue and a meeting of tho Democracy, to ratify the recent nominations of the Na? tional Democratic Convention for President and vice-President. Not ivithstandlng the unpropitious ap? pearance of the morning, tho place meeting was thronged, at an early hour, by a large number of the male population-freely interspersed with numbers of the fair sex, who had come out to grace the occasion with their approving smiles. When the hour for speaking arrived, Colonel Palmer, who presided on the occa? sion, introduced Col. J.

P. Thomas, who addressed the. audience os fol? lows: FKLTJOW-CITLZENS ons LEXINGTON: I am here, at your bidding, to coun? sel with you upon the questions of the hour. I regret that I cannot bring to you a larger political expe? rience and a more influential name; but what I am, and what I have, these I am ready to contribute to the vital cause that now demands our energies. And I may truthfully add, that no one can have a keener per? ception than I of the magnitude of the present issues, or a more deter? mined resolution to seek such a solu? tion of the problem before us, as will secure the hest interests of this noblo commonwealth, of which we are proud to bo citizens.

Let us, now, consider tho political present by the light of the political past of our country, and lot me sug? gest tho duties and responsibilities that pre- upon nc. Ever since the establishment, in 1787, of our Fede? ral Constitution, two great parties havo ever divided the Uniou, and this division has boen based mainly upon difference of opinion as to the true character of our complex system of government. Tho ono party, un? der Mr. Jefferso. 's lead, assorted tho Stale rigJtts' theory; the other, under Mr.

Hamilton, advocated the national view. The one seeing danger in con? solidated, centralized power, pro? claimed the rights and sovereignty of tho States, and regarded this theory as alono consistent with the grandeur of tho country and tho liberty of the citizens; the other, apprehending anarchy from excessive power in the States, favored a strong central Go? vernment. Amid all the party changes that have takeu place in tho country, thia issue hos always stood out in bold relief, and drawn the line of demarcation between Federal? ist and Republican, between Demo? crat and Whig, between Democrat and Radical. On account of their traditional conservatism aud comparative weak? ness, the Southoru States naturally adhered to the Jeflersonic view of the Government. The question of State rights became the subject of debate, aud tho statesmen of the South and those of the North rose to tho height of the great argument, and brought to boar upon this point ali the resources of mind and oratory, of genius and learning.

But the point remained unsettled. We had grown great and prosperous; had ex? tended our limits from the Northern lakes to the Mexican Gulf, from the Atlantic to tho Pacific, and still the true relation between tho States and the General Government romaine! unsettled. Finally, by the seces? sion of the Southern States in 1861, the matter was submitted to the arbi? trament of the sword; and as the contest advanced, tho question of tho continuance of tho institution of African slavery was submitted to the same arbitrament. The lato great war ensued. I do not intend now to outer into tho details of that gigantic etrugglo, attended, as it was, with displays of valor, genius and devotion on both sidos, that have compelled a world's admiration.

But I will say, that tho loyalty due to the Government we now acknowledge is not inconsistent with our fidelity to the sentiments, the principles and the memories of our Confederate cause. It may be premature to deck with laurels tho brows of tho living, but not soon is it to strew with garlands tho graves of the dead iu tho causo. Praieo, then, to the soldiery-officors and men alike-who live in honor, or died in glory. Upon many a hard fonjjht battle-field, thoy showed their fidelity to the "lost cause." This they did amid the vollied thunders of first aud second Manassas; in the tangled wilds of the Wilderness; in tho Titanic wrestling and charges around Richmond; upon the girt heights of Gettysburg; nt Shiloh; ut Sharpsburg; ut Chioumauga; in the trenches around Petersburg, and upon a hundred other fields fame, were the arms of the South, illus? trated. This illustration ouuie frpm Maxcy Gregg, as he sent homo from the fatal, but victorious field of Fredorioksburg, tho par tau messitgo of his devotion to South It came from Hampton, the Murat 'and 'the Ney of the war, whose sword was ever to be seen flushing Vfliere tho contest wnxed and the tide of battle rose to its highest swell.

It came from Micah Jenkins, as filled with the joys of the combat, tittie and time again, he led his charging columns with all the impe? tuosity of youth, and all the courage of the Christian soldier. It came from that martyr to the cause, the gallant, true, faithful Means, as he fell with tho warrior's harness on, upon the battle's front, in the line of duty. And it came in moral gran? deur from tho lamented Stephen Elliott, as amid the booming of the enemy's guns, ho stood undaunted among the ruins of immortal Sum tor, tho impersonation of Carolina's sublime resolve. But, fellow-citizens, our Confede? rate cause is warrior ban? ner has gone to Heaven to greet tho warrior's 30ul." For one, weare not disposed to take a dead issue from its grave. We aocept tho re? sults of the war, and stand now upon those living and vital issues that have since sprung up.

Sprung upon the country, North as well as South, by that party which, having become the depository of all the malice, cruelty, hate and vengeance engendered bv the war, seeks, by means foul as well as fair, to rule or ruin a bleeding land. I But what, it may be asked, are these resulta settled by the to which I have adverted? answer, thal they are contained in the questions of secession and African slavery. From the first bnttlo of Bull Ruu to thc end of war, the United States Go? vernment made pledgo nfter pledge, that ita object was, not to destroy Ou Southern Slates, but to compel them to acknowledge the authority of thc Union. Upon this pledge, they call? ed upon the Northern people to con? tribute men and money to the war. Upon this pledge, they called upor tho Southern people to lay dowr their arms.

Upon this pledge, thej worded off the intervention of foreigt powers; and it was upon this pledge given or implied, that Leo at Appo uiattox, Johnston nt Greensboro Taylor in Mississippi, nud Kirbj Smith in Texas, surrendered thei: armies und folded their colors. Ir tho spirit of this pledge, we believi that Grant and Sherman met Lei and Johnston; aud had these Coufe derate Generals and theso Coufede rate soldiers anticipated what ha: since occurred, we hesitate not to de clare, that the lires of tho so-called rc hellion, would not now be quenched and in the mountain fastnesses of on Southern country, the colors of seces sion would this da3T be flying. Nor was President Johnson tin mindful of this pledge. He regarde) tho Southern States as still in th Union, and holding that, under th Constitution, Unconstitutional powe of tho State resided in tho whit people thereof, ho proceeded to carr out the reconstruction programme a laid down and begun hy Mr. Lincoln Accordingly tho sovereignty of th States was evoked, and Convention of tho peoplo were ordered.

Th Conventions assembled; the situatio was gracefully accepted; the demand of tho Executivo were complied witL and an era of peace, prosperity an harmony seemed about to dawn upo a distraoted aud shattered couutn But at this point, the fell spirit Northern sectionalism, embodied i the Republican or radical party, intei posed, und chauged tho entiro eui rent of reconstruction. Tho leadei of that party saw that tho Souther States, restored upon a white bash would increase that Democratic eh mont which, at the North, was pr? paring to snatch from their rud grasp tho control of the countn Hence, pnrty tactics decreed thr loyalty meant adhesion to tho radio party, and that no Southern Stal should be permitted to enter tl Union, except through the braze gate-way of radicalism. In tho wore of a Northern speaker, to enter tl door of the Union, it became nece sary "to knock with black knuckles, Thon was inaugurated, under tl auspices of those angels of ponce Messrs. Stevens, Sumner and Bu 1er-the choice scheme of radical construction. Then began tho marc of constitutional invasion-then gan that series of tyrannical oxa tions, which show how worse than tyrannies, is tho tyranny of the legi lativo assembly.

Follow-citizcus, lot me briefly sta tho course of radical reconstructs First. The infamous Howard Amen ment was submitted to the State This amendment required tho Soot orn people to ignoro their past in tl war; to place tho seal of disgra upon those gallant and noble spiri who had led thom in the chamber and the field; to tramp upon the fresh mounds of thc martyred dead; to commit base trc son to the principles and sentimec they hod toiled and prayed and fought, as never women prayed before or men worked. To the enduring honor of the Southern States, they rejected the amendment. They were poor, bleed? ing, desolated, ravaged States, but amid the ruins of their homes and their hopes, the people of the South preserved the whiteness of their souls, and almost unanimously voted to reject this ungenerous proposition from an ungenerous party. They wanted peace, bat not such peace as dishonor could purchase.

But this was only the first stop in radical reconstruction. The radical party proceeded to commit next what may be called the great political crime of the century-a crime that has uo parallel iu history, ancient or modern, sacred or profane. Ami this was the deliberate subordination of the wealth, the intelligence aud the integrity of the South to the rule of ignorance and depravity-the placing of the political power of tho South in the hands of aliens, renegades and half-civilized negroes-the slaves of yesterday; the freedmen of to-day. In other countries, and in other times, after war had spent its fury upon a desolated laud, it has been permitted to the inhabitants to call together thc wisest, the best und the purest of their number, to rear again the fabric of government. But this poor privilege has been de? nied to the people of the South.

Not enough our broken hopes aud ruined fortunes, not enough our lost cause, not enough the pride aud the flower of the South fallen upon the field of battle, but we, members of tho proud Caucasian family, upon whose brow God himself has written the signs and the symbols of empire, we are placed under the rule of au inferior race, and members of this race, together with renegades and trading politicians, aro authorized to frame organic laws forH-he white people of this Southern section of tho Union. And not only this, but under the same authority these same parties, with the aid of the bayonet, aro carrying out the details of legis? lation, and preparing non-tax-payers and nou-property-holders themselves to impose upon their bettors thc heavy burdens of taxation. This is the result of radical reconstruction. This is the great wrong for which wo arraign the radical party, and to which we will never quietly submit. This is the issue whioh we meet un? der tho folds of tho Democratic ban? ner aud under the fair auspices of Heaven.

Nor, fellow-citizens, do wo meet it alone. In consummating their great wrong against us and ours, tho radi? cal party have violated the Constitu? tion, usurped executive and judicial powers and menaced the liberties of tho North as well as the South. Hence, the Democratic party ot the Union has organized to overthrow that party and to save the country. That party, fellow-citizens, lately met in Convention, iu New York, und that Convention became the earnest of united country. Every Stato and every Territory in this broad land wero represented in the Demo? cratic Convention by their truest and ablest men, and tho utmost harmony marked its deliberations.

After a separation of eight years the North and the South, for the first time met, and, discarding tho animosities of the past, resolved to uuito against a common political enemy and together to work for the welfure of a common country and a restored Uniou. Fellow-citizens, that Convention has given U3 the principles and the men wo wanted. The Democratic party has taken high ground in our behalf. It becomes us to engage earnestly and thoroughly in the can? vass before us, to seize with our strong hands the standard of the De? mocracy, and to make au earnest, united, protracted effort to plant it upon the heights of success. Tho triumph (of tho Democracy will bring us peace and will prepare tho way for our prosperity.

But let us conduct the canvass discreetly and temperately. Let no bayonet jlash or sword gleam emanate from our ranks. Wo hopo to accomplish our ends by peaceful instrumentalities. Already at the North our opponents seek to prejudice our cause by calling tho Democratic platform a "rebel" plat? form, and the Democratic nominees candidates. Let us, by no indiscretion of lauguago or coaduct, give oause for these allegations.

Let us show that we are true to tho Union and the Constitution, and that, with our Democratic allies at the North, we are in rebellion only against that merciless and Godless faction which seeks to rear its bloated fortunes upon the ruins of the free institu? tions of the land, and whioh, to re? tain its usurped power, would build the elevation of the negro upon the degradation of the Southern whites. I have thus, fellow-oitizens, shown how our political relief must come from the party. The radical party is the party of hate, vengeance and misrule. The Demo? cratic party is the party of recon? ciliation, peace, Union and the Con? stitution. The one offers us degrada? tion and death-the other hope and fife.

We have made the choice, and may Heaven defend the right, i But, fellow-oitizens, I feel that I would fail to do my duty on this oc? casion, if I did not throw out the I idea that after all, our political sue cess in this campaign is bat a pre? liminary step in th? great work of Southern redemption and prosperity. The truth is, no appeal to tho great names of the past, no mere political triumph will, enable as to heal our bleeding wounds, or retrieve our broken fortunes. Could Calhoun himself arise from his honored grave, and establish his creed of Govern? ment, this would not save our im? perilled What we need nt the South is wealth; what wo require is industrial development. With wealth comes power; and power will pre? serve for us what statesmanship or party triumph has won. We must work; we must invite immigration; wo must move out on tho field of diversified labor.

Get wealth in tho South; get capital in the South; get numbers in the South, and with or without a Democratic triumph, we shall be enabled, sooner or Inter, to solve tho problem in our favor. Let mo, therefore, urge you, fellow-oiti zens, not to neglect tho farm, or tho factory, or the work-shop, whilst you give some of your time to country. And now, in conclusion, let me ask you to be of good cheer. The signs uro auspicious. The great Democra? tic heart of the country seems to be stirred to its depth; and we have the promise of a glorious victory.

SEY? MOUR on Gass AR-CIVIL LIBERTY OF MILITARY DESPOTISM-this tho issue before the whole country. In our whole history, from colonial times to the present period, none so great has ever before arisen. Meet it in self defence, like sensible, earnest pa? triots. Organize your Democratic Olubs; enroll your names. And at the ballot-box, in November next, let your voice be heard in behalf of a restored Union, and iu behalf of your own insulted and outraged State.

Next came Col. Meetze, of Lex? ington, who endeavored, in a very earnest manner, to urge upon the Democracy the great importance of united and persevering effort to cast the vote of this State for Seymour and Blair in November next. At the close of Col. Mectze's speech, Col. Palmer introduced tho following pre? amble and resolutions, which were unanimously and enthusiastically adopted: Whereas, The Democratic party of the whole country, by their delegates in Convention nssembled, have adopted a platform of principles, entirely satisfactory to us, and have selected for standard-bearers, in tho approaching political contest, pa? triots and statesmen eminently worthy of our support; and, Whereas, The present organiza? tion of tho Democracy of this State, with its two separate State Central Executive Committees, is imperfect and inefficient; and, Whereas, Many colored people art intimidated by threats of injury te their persons and property, and thereby prevented from joining thc Democratic party; therefore, bo it Resolved, That tho action of om delegates to the recent National De mocratic Convention, in castine their votes for tho platform adopted and in assisting in the nomination that distinguished patriot and states man, Horatio Seymour, as a candi date for the Presidency, and tba true soldier, who, while an enemy ii war, has shown that he can rise abo vi the petty and contemptible preju dices of the Jacobins of our day, anc proclaims himself a friend in peace Francis Preston Blair, ns a candidat) for the Vice-Presidency, meets witl our hearty approval.

Resolved, That it is tho duty of tin white men of this District to orgau ize thoroughly for the approaching political campaign; and that wi hereby pledge ourselves, collectively nud individually, to strive, work struggle, devoting our time and ou means, from this till tho day of elec tion, in an earnest, hearty self-sacri fleing effort to make our State agaii worthy of the noble past, and to wip out the foul stain upon her batterei escutcheon, by casting her votes fo Seymour, Blair and Constitution? liberty. Resolved, That as one of tho dui; orgauized Democratic Clubs of th' State, and, therefore, entitled to voice in the councils of tho party, most earnestly recommend the imme? diate consolidation of the two Stat Central Execntivo Committees, wit! the Chairmanship of the consolidate committee in.tho city of Columbia, order that tho approaching canvas may ho conducted with tho systor ami energy that characterized th action of tho party beforo it wn paralyzed by the appointment of second and independent committee Resolved, That we cordially invit our colored people to joiu tho Demc eratic party, pledging to those who so, our patronage and support; au that we will protect und defend ther in the exeroise of their undoubte rights, to connect themselves, polit; cally, with their only true friends the white race of tho South. After the adoption of tho rosolr tions, Col. F. W.

McMaster was ir traduced and delivered an argumei tative speech, in which ho adminii tered a severe castigation to thos native-born white men (so-callec Tvho have proved traitors to thei country, thoir race and their God, selling themselves to tho mongn party. Maj. C. C. Turner, of Spartanburj was next introduced, aud favored the audience with an account of the pre? sent condition and future prospects of the party in his County, interspersing his address with a pro? per seasoning of humorous anec? dotes, well told, to the great amuse? ment of the crowd.

Then came Maj. James G. Gibbes, the advocate of all that is noble aud generous in both social and political life, and thc irrepressible opponent of mongrelism in every shape and form. He entertained the audience with a brief recital of a portion of what he saw and heard in his recont" visit to New York, and assured them that the signs aro auspicious for a glorious Democratic triumph in No? vember. At tho conclusion of Maj.

Gibbes? speech, the audience was favored, by the glee club, with a spirited Sey? mour and Blair campaign song, writ? ten expressly for the ocoaaion and sung with great spirit and auimation, to the great delight of the audience. At the close of this song the crowd was invited to thc table, where, nnder the superintendence of Capt. J. N. Kaughman, a bountiful supply of the substantials of life, consisting of barbecued meats, food bread, vege? tables, was dispensed to the hun? gry crowd.

After a thorough discus? sion of thediunor, which was decided to be excellent, a good portion of the audience again repaired to the stand, when they wero entertained with a speech from the colored Democratic war-horsoof Columbia, James Minor, who urged upon his colored friends the importance of co-operating with the white gentlemen of the South, and thus securing for themselves friends who will stand by them when the carpet-baggers shall have left for more congenial climes. Minor was followed by Pleasant Goode, Stowers, and other colored Democrats, all of whom ondeavorcd to wield a good influence over their colored brethron. Wo recognized amid the crowd, busily engaged providing for our wants, Simeon J. Hook, S. W.

Hook, Martin A. Skull, James Roof, W. M. Buff, Luther Hook, Jacob Roof, Daniel Kinsler, aud other well known citizens of Lexington District. It is to bo hoped that the canvass, thus favorably opened in Lexington, will bo prosecuted with unflagging zeal by tho Democracy of that Coun? ty, and that the ides of November will witness the total rout, "horse, foot and dragoons," of that infamous party who are endeavoring to destroy tho white Government of our fathers, and to substitute in its stead a moa grelized despotism, with Grant, the butcher, as military dictator.

WHITE SUPREMACY. The Land We Love, for August, is before us. It contains, besides many other attractive features, a handsomo steel-plate engraving of the lamented Gen. Turner Ashby, of Virginia. This magazine should bein thc hands of Southron.

Gen. Hampton was serenaded in Charleston, on Saturday night, and responded in his clear, ringing voice, which at once commanded silence among the excited throng. He was listened to with breathless attention, interrupted only by the irrepressible cheers that broke forth at intervals during his speech. He eulogised the soldiers and sailors of the North, who, as they had fought gallantly, would not now treat a brave though defeated people with scorn and con? tempt. Nothing but malice was to be expected from the politician and speculator, but tho soldiers and sailors had become frank friends as they bad been open enemies.

GRAND DEMOCRATIC DEMONSTRA? learn that all the arrange? ments aro complete for tho demon? stration this evening. Riohland continues in tho Democratic van. Let our citizens turn ont, this even? ing, in a generous rally. Let them swell tho procession. The cause is a vital ono.

Tho Democracy triumph? ant promises peace and prosperity to tho country. Gen. Hampton and other distinguished speakers, will address tho people. Carolina Hall will be open to the ladies and the speakers. Numerous transparencies, with their mottoes, will add to the interest of the occasion.

See the programme. Gens. Kershaw, Chesnut and MoGowan will also address the meet? ing. Hons. J.

B. Campbell and A. Burt will likely be present. STATE CONVENTION will be seen that a State Convention, of tho South Carolina Democracy, has been called. This is well.

We hope that when the roll of the Dis? tricts shall bo called, that not one will fail to respond. The Convention will meet in this city, on Thursday evening, August 6. For the first time in several months, there was a total failure of the North? ern mail, yesterday-owing, doubt? less, to the high water in and around Baltimore. We aro indebted to the "Colum? bia Club" for a delightful serenade vocal and instrumental (piano in? cluded)-last night. It was fully appreciated, we can assure our friends.

EADICAII the question of taxing out of existence cotton and rice, which was up day or two since before the South Caro? lina Legislature, ono rad. said, it was "a great bill, a wise bill, it will raise $2,000,000." "It will do more than that," said another rad. "How is that?" said the first. "It will raise h-11" Here the discussion dropped, and tho sanguine party sloped. This ts legislation with a vengeance.

irrepressible and whole-souled fellow-citizen, Mr. Palmer, had a pleasing display, yesterday-the erection of a-flag-staff, with a handsome United States flag, 12x18 feet, over his building. A number of citizens participated, and upon the conclusion of the flag-rais? ing, several bowls of puuch, kegs of lager, Were disposed of, and the health and long Ufe of the proprie? well as success to the Demo? cratic candidates, Seymour and Blair-were drunk with a vim. "BLESSED ABE THEY, THAT MOUBN, FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED. Senator Jillson, yesterday, introduc? ed a resolution, proposing to appro-, priate the sum of $1,000, for the benefit of the widow of Hon.

Solo? mon George Washington Dill, mem? ber elect to the House of mis-repre? sentatives from Kershaw Keounty. A good move, gentlemen-a good move! Aud behold, in the days of the November election, the tax-pay? ers of Carolina shall rise and call you anything but blessed forevermore. RENDER UNTO GESAB THE THINGS WHICH ABE CAESAR'S, are by no means disposed to be captious or fault-finding as journalists. Our position is too obscure, when brought into comparison with that of our friends of the Charleston Daily News; but wo think that tho extreme origi? nality and wonderful enterprise of that now offspring of the Democratic party, might enable it to give us credit for tho reports of tho legisla? tive proceedings, which they copy from our insignificant columns. HOME AGAIN HOME AGAIN affords us eiucero gratification to an? nounce that the excursion party of tho General Assembly of mis-repre sentatives of this State, returned last evening, in good condition, from the Greenville trip, and without having encountered any obstruction at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan.

We say this safe return of the honorable gentlemen, is peculiarly gratifying, as wo had great reason to apprehend that this Greenville excursion was projected exclusively in the interests of the Klan, which is kuown to have more than two or three million ad? herents in the upper Districts of our State, and to be ruling with absolute terrorism over tho truly loyal-people of our State. How the party man? aged to escape being thrown down some bunk, precipitated in some river, or bayonetted to death by theso dreadful bugbears, is some? thing that the unreconstructed can? not understand; but so it is; The party is here, and profuse in their commendations of tho road and its appointments, although every mile of it, before starting, was reported to be garrisoned by a regiment of the famous K. K. K. MAIL post office open during the week from a.

m. to 7 p. m. On Sundays, from tl to 5 p. m.

Tho Charleston and Western mails are open for delivery at p. and closo at ft1 p. m. Charleston night mail open a. close p.

m. Northern-Open for delivery at a. closes at p. in. Greenville-Opeti for delivery p.

closes at p. m. NEW at tout ion is called to the following ad? vertisements, published for the first timo this morning: E. Jackson-Preserving Fluid. Bailey's Varieties.

Meeting Juvenile Democrats. Meeting Third Ward Club. Meeting Fourth Ward Club. Meeting First Ward Club..

Get access to Newspapers.com

  • The largest online newspaper archive
  • 300+ newspapers from the 1700's - 2000's
  • Millions of additional pages added every month

About The Daily Phoenix Archive

Pages Available:
13,117
Years Available:
1865-1877