The Daily Phoenix

MR. EDITOR: I hand you the following communication, received through the post office, and addressed to me.

My consideration for the great body of the colored people who, I know, are misled by the teachings of bad men, both white and black, induces me to depart from my usual rule of not noticing anonymous communications.

My anxiety that no responsibility shall attach to the party with which I am identified, for any collisions that may arise in this State, induces me further to state the truth as it is.

As to myself, it is not true that I am providing arms and ammunition, as alleged, for Democrats or others. What arms I have, or may obtain, are designed for self-defence, and to meet just such incendiaries as the "head committee of safety" threatens to let loose upon me and others.

In the second place, it is proper to state, for the information of the persons whom designing men are leading to acts of violence, that the Democratic party of this State have no disposition whatever to harm them in life, liberty or property. No violence will occur, unless begun by their opponents. The election will be peaceful, unless made otherwise by the radical party.

Nor is it true that a triumphant Democracy would seek to impair the just rights of the colored people, or deny to them their reasonable claims. On the contrary, the triumph of that party is alone consistent with the well-being of the African race. It will not give to the black man the unqualified privilege of suffrage; but it will give him what is better than suffrage—the fruits of his labor; the protection of his person, and all the benefits of civil rights—these conducing to his mental, moral and physical improvement. The people of the South think kindly of, and are disposed to deal generously with the great body of the freedmen; and certainly we have no desire to kill them, as the Columbia "head committee of safety" seem to imply.

As to the threats of this committee, of course, it becomes us all to take notice, and to heed the "timely warning."

But it may be well for me, soberly and candidly, to suggest that it will be a fatal day for the colored people, when they shall be induced to court an issue of arms and blood and fire with the white people. For one, I shall do all in my power to avert this calamity; and this I know to be the sentiment of the party with which I am acting, and the gentlemen with whom I associate.

In the name of God we have set up our banners," and we seek no violent settlement of the issues that have been sprung upon us. But let this "committee of safety" understand that beneath the velvet glove of honest conciliation, is the mailed hand of power; and that this hand will be raised with regret, but in confidence, whenever it shall become necessary for the protection of families and fire-sides.

J. P. THOMAS.

Mr. J. P. Thomas
Sir: I hear from a good witness that you are getting 18 shooting Rifles and a large lot of ammunition at your house. in fact you are ordering for the democrats so as to arm them to kill us, now Mr. Thomas we once thought you was a fair man which you said you was but you have now turned against us and say this is a white man's government, and we have no rights except to labor for you. now I can tell you that we are disposed to be peaceable, but when you begin to kill us I must say that we have no guns but we have got plenty of matches and we will use them and Sherman's March will not be a circumstance when you begin to kill us.
why can't you let us alone we don't trouble you we only want what the United States government give us and we intend to have that.
all we ask is a fair election and if your party is a fair party you will give us that without a fuss. we know some of your tricks but when you commence to kill us get ready to camp out and to eat grass which we don't think will last you long as frost is so near. we know you live in a fine house and got a large family and is at the head of the democrats and we give you this timely warning.
head committee of safety.