[APPENDIX.]
If any proof were needed of the truth of our positions in the editorial, the preamble, the resolutions, or the necessity of the transfer of the freedmen from Southern rule and the barbarism of slavery, to the more civilized portions of the land, it may be found in the Appendix. The testimony of the Southern press is absolutely overwhelming. We might print a large volume of the same kind, but we content ourself with only specimens enough to answer our purpose, from both the Northern and Southern press, leaving the mass of testimony still in our drawer.
We begin this catalogue of witnesses with an article from the Boston "Traveller," which quotes and comments upon Southern testimony with so much truthfulness, that we give the article entire.
NEGROES AND THEIR RIGHTS.
The recent Democratic Convention of Edgefield County, South Carolina,—the home of "Hamburg" Butler,—adopted the following resolution:—
"We regard the issues between the white and the colored people of this State, and of the entire South, as an antagonism of race, not a difference of political parties. This State and the United States were settled by the white race; the lands now belong to the white race; the white race are responsible for its government and civilization, and white supremacy is essential to our continued existence as a people. We are willing to accord to the colored race equal and exact justice, and we recognize all of their rights and privileges under the laws of this land."
Rightly interpreted this means—"We will give the niggers all their rights, but really they have no rights." That is the old doctrine of the Democratic party, which changes its principles only when the leopard changes its spots, and a more truthful declaration of its principles than is often presented. Some of the Southern Democrats, who just now are endeavoring to secure negro votes for their party, deprecate these declarations, and the resolution has given rise to some discussion in the South Carolina press.
The Spartansburg "Spartan" says:—
"Unfortunately there are too many who, thinking they can manipulate the negro vote, wish to bring it into the Democratic party. If this is done it will not only destroy the controlling influences of the white man and endanger his institutions and civilization, but will put the up country of South Carolina under the control of the low country, where the great negro vote lies."
The Charleston "News," taking a different view of the case, says:—