The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-04
To the People OF Fairfield District.

To the People OF Fairfield District.
In the interview between the Pnesi-
dent of the United States and the
committee of the citizens of Charles
ton, it was stated by the. President
that before the State could be restored
to her political rights, it was neces-
sary that the people of South Caro-
lima should amend their Constitution
80 as to provide for the abolition of
slavery. [ consider that, situated rs
We are, this announcement renders it
imperative on the Convention to abo-
lish slavery. In going into the Cop-
vention, l should make up my mind
to this measure.
It is scarcely necessary for me to
say to you, that in coming to this
conclusion, L yield only to what con-
slider all overruling necessity, and in
no degrse to what my IDEAS of social
and political policy would prompt
under ordinary circumstances. As
there is, so fur rs am informed, u
universal concurrence of public OPT
MON on this point, think it unneces-
sary to say anything farther.upon it.
Another subject on which it will be
necessary for the Convention to act, is
the basis of representation in the State
Legislature. I think it will be neces-
sary to make some important modifi-
cation of the existing system. As the
Constitution now stands, each parish
in the low country is entitled to one
Senator in our State Senate. The
abolition Of slavery, involving such
an immense loss of property in the
> low country, has disarranged this sys-
TEN, and destroyed the motive for
allowing it. Under the peculiar cir
'cumstances in which they are now
placed, I believe our fellow-citizens of
the parishes, with that intelligence
and patriotism for which they are dis
tinguished, will checrfuEy acquiesce
in the necessity which puts an end to
what is special and peculiar in their
right of representation, and they
themselves will desire to see the power
of the State deposited in that section
where it will be safest, which is where
their own race is in the greatest ascen-
.dancy.
In reference to the Office of Cover
tor, think more important functions
should be assigned to this officer than
those he now possesses, AS the Con
stitution now stands, the only impor
'tant power which the Governor pos
sesses is the pardoping power. He
ought, think, to have the power, by
and with the advice of the Senate, te
appoint many of the officers nov
elected by the Legislature, and tht
veto power at least in n qualified form
The Legislature should be confined
to its appropriate functions
laws and resolutions. Where election
to Office are made by II Legislative
body, it is apt to give rise to comb
nations and maneuvrcs by which tn
integrity of the Legislative body
affect ted, and its efficiency impaired
The great and wise men who frame
the Constitution of the United States
with the experience of history befor
them, guarded against this abuse b
conferring the power of appointmen
to Office on the President, with th
advice Of the Senate.
The practice Of many years has d,
monstrated this to be a provisio
founded in the most eminent wisdom
I would apply the same principle [
the Governor, and I have no doubt
would be attended with like adval
tages. In regard to the Governt
having at least a qualified veto, ii
advantages :ue SO manifest that