Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1890 — TILLMAN AND THE NEGRO. [ARTICLE]

TILLMAN AND THE NEGRO.

Governor Tillman, of South Carolina, was inaugurated on the 4th. In his address, speaking of the negro, he said: “In our own State of South Carolina, the triumph of. Democracy and white supreme acy over mongrel ism and anarchy, of civilization over barbarism, has been most complete; and it is gratifying to note the fact that this was attended by a political phenomenon in which was a surprise to all of us—our colored fellow-citizens absolutely refused to be led to the polls by their bosses. “The opportunity of having their votes freely cast and honestly counted, which it has been claimed is denied negroes, caused! a ripple of excitement, and the consequence is that to-day there is less prejudice and more kindly feeling between the white) men and the black men in South Carolina than has existed at any time since 1868. “When it is clearly shown that a majority of our colored voters are no longer imbued with Republican ideas, the vexed negro problem will be solved and the fear of a . eturn of a negro dominition Will haunt us i.o more. Can I not appeal to the magnanimity of the dominant race? Can not I pledge in your behalf that we white men of South Carolina stand ready and*willing to listen kindly to all reasonable complaints, to .grant all just rights and safe privileges to these colored people; that they shall have equal protection under the law and a guarantee of fair treatment at our hands I