SOUTH CAROLINA. 



699 



8. We maintain that to the States belongs the ques- 

 tion of negro suffrage. And further, believing an af- 

 firmative declaration on this subject expedient and 

 essential to party vitality, and a move in the direc- 

 tion of iustice and fair dealing, we deem it becoming 

 and right now to say what, in our sovereignty, we 

 would be willing to concede to the colored element. 

 And further, the negro element in our midst, be- 

 ing a large one, we deem it statesmanship not to ig- 

 nore it. 



4. We appreciate, as fully as any, the dignity and 

 claims of the white race, and contend that their po- 

 litical control of this State, and the country at large, 

 is a right which must never be given up. This must 

 be, and shall be par excellence, a white man's gov- 

 ernment. 



5. But, at the same time, confident and strong in 

 the knowledge of the white man's power, influence, 

 and resolve, we hold it magnanimous, just, and right, 

 to give the colored man a fair showing, and to set a 

 premium upon industry, intelligence ? and worth, 

 whenever these elements are found ( in him. We 

 would extend no consideration to the black man's 

 Radical advisers from the North, nor to his renegade 

 adherents South ; but, as respects the great mass of 

 colored people themselves, in consideration _ of their 

 own inexperience, and the influences to which they 

 have been subjected, we are disposed to indulge 

 them yet longer. 



Another convention was held on the 9th of 

 June for the purpose of sending delegate's to 

 the National Convention at New York, and a 

 committee was appointed to confer with the 

 Executive Committee of the former conven- 

 tion. A harmonious meeting was held, which 

 resulted in the proposition that the present 

 convention appoint an Executive Committee 

 of its own, and that the two be united at 

 an early day. This was unanimously agreed 

 to, and the only platform adopted was em- 

 braced in the following resolutions, which con- 

 stituted a supplemental report of the commit- 

 tee of conference : 



Resolved, That the Democratic party of this State 

 duly appreciates and accepts the invitation from the 

 Executive Committee of the Democratic party of the 

 United States, to send delegates to the general con- 

 vention to be held in New York, on the 4th day of 

 July next, to nominate candidates for the presidency 

 and vice-presidency of the United States ; but, inas- 

 much as the military despotism under which South 

 Carolina labors will render it impossible for the 

 white race to cast the vote of the State, at the next 

 presidential election, it is recommended to the dele- 

 gates appointed from this State to ask the counsel of 

 their brethren from other States as to the propriety 

 of their voting in the convention, and to govern 

 themselves accordingly. 



Resolved, That having entire confidence in the 

 principles and patriotism of the Democratic party, 

 and believing and trusting to their assurances that 

 they will, if triumphant, restore and maintain at the 

 South, as they have done in the North, in the Eastj 

 and in the West, the supremacy and government of 

 the white race a white man's government leaving 

 to the States themselves to regulate their suffrage 

 laws ; and, also, that they will expunge the usurpa- 

 tions and the fraudulent governments created by the 

 military power, under what are called the reconstruc- 

 tion laws, and thereby restore to the Union the 

 Southern States, such as they were before the enact- 

 ment of said laws we hereby pledge ourselves to the 

 support of the candidates of that party for President 

 and Vice-President of the United States, to be nom- 

 inated at the coming convention in the city of New 

 York, the 4th day of July next. 



Still another Democratic Convention was 

 held on the Gth and Vth of August, at Colum- 

 bia, for the purpose of nominating presidential 

 electors. Speeches were made by General 

 Wade Hampton and other prominent Conser- 

 vatives, and resolutions were adopted declar- 

 ing: 



1. Wo adopt the declaration of principles of the 

 national Democratic party, and indorse uie nomina- 

 tions of Seymour and Blair. 



2. While entering a protest against the reconstruc- 

 tion acts, wo rely confidently on constitutional agen- 

 cies and peaceful instrumentalities to bring us the 

 peace we seek and the reforms we need. 



3. We invite all to unite with the Democracy in the 

 effort to save free institutions and secure a genuine 

 restoration to the Union, and put the republic on a 

 career of honor, peace, and prosperity. 



4. That President Johnson, for resisting the ag- 

 gression of Congress, is entitled to the gratitude of 

 the people. 



5. Our acknowledgments are due to the citizens, 

 soldiers, and sailors of the North who, amid the 

 storm of Badical passions, have raised their voice in 

 behalf of an insulted and outraged section. 



6. The State Central Committee is authorized to 

 fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation 

 of presidential electors ; also, to take such steps as 

 may be necessary to insure a Democratic success. 



An address was soon after issued by the Ex- 

 ecutive Committee of the party to the colored 

 citizens of the State, in which they attempted 

 to show that the Southern Democrats are the 

 real friends of the colored men, and reproach 

 the latter for numerous disorders which they 

 were led into by political excitement. 



The negroes made a reply to this address, in 

 which they assume to prove, from the past 

 record of the Democratic party, that it had 

 not shown itself a friend to the colored man, 

 and deny that they have any disposition to 

 excite disorders, or indulge in violence. Dur- 

 ing the heat of the campaign some disturb- 

 ances occurred, and, on the 31st of August, 

 Governor Scott issued a proclamation, in which 

 he stated that information had reached him of 

 armed and disciplined organizations, formed 

 for political purposes, in the interest, as he in- 

 timated, of the Democratic party. This was, 

 however, denied by the Democratic Commit- 

 tee, who further declared that "in the fu- 

 ture, as heretofore, this party proposes to be a 

 party of peace, of law, and order, and con- 

 fidently relies upon peaceful instrumentality, 

 and the ballot, to accomplish political reform, 

 which the interests of the State and country 

 demand." The negroes were also accused of 

 arming and drilling companies, and threatening 

 danger to the whites, but no serious outbreak 

 occurred. One result of these excitements, 

 however, was the enactment of a law by the 

 Legislature " for the suppression of insurrec- 

 tion and rebellion." This gave the Governor 

 authority to call out the militia for this purpose, 

 and to seize and control railroads and telegraphs, 

 as a part of the military establishment. 



Several assassinations occurred during the 

 fall, prompted, as is supposed, by political mo- 

 tives, the most notable of which were those 



