New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-20


try, in less pF6porton should, In some way and TO
some extent be counted. This Is due the lower couh
try where there is such large preponderanee OF nat
class Of persons The Federal basis of representation
in Congress- counting three fths Of the negroes would
seem to be just and right. 1t was the compromise
agreed on by the trainers OF the Federal Constitution,
and no doubt founded in wisdom.
The question Of suffrage and who shall exercise the
right OF voting 10 souh Carolina, IL Of grave i'm
portance and must be settled by you in your new Con.
stitutlon. In 1890 the State Constitution declared
that no one should be allowed to vote unless he was
freebooter or tax payer and free white man oil the
age 81 years. In 1870 the right Of suffrage was
extended to all free white men Of the age Of q,
who residents Of the State two years aud Of the
Election District six months previous TO voting. The
qualification OF freehold or the payment Of tax
was no longer required. 1t thought proper at that
period that free white man who had to In tho
militia do patrol duty work on the roads end defend
his country in time OF war, should be allowed to vote
for members Of the Legislature and other officers OF the
State without the ownership OF freehold or the pay.
ment of taxes To extend this universal suffrage 10
the freedmen" in their present ignorant aud de-
graded condition. would BIO little less than folly and
madness. Ii would be giving TO the man OF wealth
and large landed possessions 10 the state most
undue influence in all elections He would be
enabled to march to the polls, with his two or three
I'm ndrcd freedmen" employees, voting as lie direct
cd and control all elections. The poor white men In
the election districts would have no influence or Their
influence would be eyeTpOwered by one man OF large
landed estate In Connecticut, Ohio Indiana Illinois
and several other nonsaveholdng States at the North
free negroes and coored persons are entirely excluded
from voting IL most Of the Northern States there IS
property qualification required OF all voters which ex
cudes them II the New. York qualifications of free
hold for person Of color voting adopted In South
Carolina. very few Of the freedmen 10 this State would
be able 10 exercise the right of suffrage In North
Carolina, Tennessee, and perhaps other slayehoding
States negroes formerly entitled to vote but
Is understood that they seldom saw proper to exer
else this franchise.
great interest TO the action Of the Southern States in
reference 10 negro suffrage and while they admit that
a man should be able 20 read and write and have
property qualification In order 10 vote vet they contend
that there should be no distinction between voters
account Of color tley forget that this Is white mans
government and intended for white men only and that
the Supreme Court OF the United States has decided
that the negro Is not an American citizen under the
Federal Constitution That each aud every State OF
the Union has the unquestioned right Of deciding for
herself who shall exercise the right of suffrage is
beyond all dispute. You will settle this grave question
IN the interest and honor Of the State demand.
South Carolina is the only State in the Union where
the Chief Magistrate Is not elected by tie people This
should longer be the case. The election Of Pres
Dental electors by the Legislature Is clearly usurpa
ton on the part Of that body and which no other State
W the Union toerates at the present time The Fed.
eral Constitution declares that each State shall ap.
point N such manner the Legislature thereof may
direct electors Of President and Vice PresIent" The
ors. The LEGISLATURE is TO Direct the manner OF
appofminT only The people are the State. and should
- sppoint.'
Gov. Perry suggests number Of alterations in the
and proceeds;
You shonld provide for the election OF members OF
he Tegsls ure at early day-the second Monday in
Dctober-so that the General Assembly may be con-
ycIed In time 20 order the election OF members OF Con-
and United States Senator'S, before the first Mon
lay in December next IL Is important that all Of the
Southern States should be fully represented when Con
gress assemblies.
In your Constitution you should provide for and
leclare valid all Legislative Executive and judicial
acts Of the State since her secession the 10th OF De-
,ember leo. which not IN conflict with the Consti
uton Of the United States Likewise, all civil officers
elected since that period shond be authorized 10
uue to discharge the duties Of their respective Offices
Until the expiration Of the term for which they we're
eoted or appointed
wsest and best to reappoint oil civil officers who \
we're In Office at the suspension OF civil government in
south Carolina. ! told the President that we had no
,arties political divisions in tho State. All had &C.
uesoed in her secession from the Federal Union, and
all would be equally loyal in their efforts TO restore
to that Union. had no friends TO reward. no enc.
MES TO punish at the sacrifice Of the interests Of tue
state. Those who in office had been elected by
he people familiar with their duties, and better
calculated to discharge them than new men. More.
'ver. the plan adopted put in motion at once the ma
hinery of the State. Time was important The acts
Il the Provisional Government should likewise be sane
Toned by you.
In resumng her allegiance to the United States L
,now that South Carolina does so in good faith, and
With perfect sincerity 10 her pighted honor. As she
the first 10 lead of in this great and most unior
innate Secession movement, II now becomes her duty
set bright example of loyalty to the other southern
states in returning TO the Union and cheerfully per
ormng all the obligations TO the Federal Government
She win receive in return from that Government
restoration OF all her civil and political rights as SOW
reign State, with general amnesty for the past
You should be careful to do all that Is necessary 10 aid
he President In carrying ont his wise and generous pol
CIV of reconstruction aud do nothing which may tend to
mblrruss him IN that policy or impede the restoration
II the State To tho Federal Union. 1t is remarkable
act that the brave who have lmperilcd their lives
md made every sacrifice in for the last four years
IRE promptly aud chcerfuly acqucscinS IN Ills results,
While Of those who have kept out Of danger ana
made less sacrifices less inclined TO acqueSee IN the
Inevitable results Of that war.
| have the qualification OF informing you that the
,olicy have pursued in my administration of tho Pro-
sonu Government OF the State has met the entire APP
royal of the President and he has directed the military
authorities not 10 interfere with that policy bat 90 aid
ND assist me IN carrying IT out have likewise th9
pleasure of communicating to you that very recently
ad an interview with MAJ. Gen. Meade. commanding
no Atlantic States and Maj Gen Gilmore command
ng the Department of South Carolina. In reference to
oeming conflict between the civil and military anthor
les of the State; and that all difficulties were satislac
orily arranged. The civil law the courts, ana oNi
Ulcers of the State are restored and their functions VIII
ot be nterfcrcd with by the military authorities except
cases whore freedmen and persons OF color are con
erued. These cases lavc been Assigned To Tue courts
he Provost Marsha for adjudication, ll The compile
ion of the Presidents policy denomination Aiolher
ases will be heard aud decided by the ciY ana ml
cpul courts under aud ding to Inc laws oi south
arollna. q, -. !
n IL also source Of congratuatiou to know that the
oored troops whose atrocous conduct has d.sgraeed
be service and filed the public mind WIN The most
orr,blc npprehcnsons have been Withdrawn from tho
terror OF the State and TO be placed In garisons
n the coat where they can do no further misChe
all Of my personal interviews with the president
nd I'M ali of NV dispatches him. urged this course
lost earnestly The white troops are. believe, doing
ler duty bcnefcaly 10 the country IN preserving the
nacc and good order Of The State IL Is thought that
,cir presence among for some time yet will be =
.cessary In order to enforce tho relative duties OF
10 freedmen and their employers.