The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-09
COLUMBIA.
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Thursday Morning, Nov. 8. 1885.


Fhe Position of Aoath Cafclins. ~
The message OF Governor Perry, trans
nnitted to the Legislature on Tuesday, has
created somo interest among tho people,
and gave rise to some debate in the House
Of Representatives in tho Legislature.
The dispatches from President johnson,
aud that from Secretary Seward, would on
their face imply that the Administration at
Washington was demanding exactions as
conciliatory measures, which could not be
reasonably complied with by the Legisla-
ture Of South Carolina.
It will be observed that in the dispatches
Of President johnson, he confines himself
principally, to an urgent appeal through
the Governor, to the Legislature, to ADOPT
the amendment TO the Constitution Of the
United States abolishing slavery. The
Constitutional amendment referred to is in
these words:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude, except as punishment for crims,
whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted, shall exist within the limits Of
the United States, or any place subject to
their Jurisdiction.
<'SEc. 2. Congress shall have power to
enfhrce this article by appropriate legisla-
ton Approved February 1. 1865
The adoption OF this amendment by the
Legislature is mere matter Of form. The
Convention, in the new Con stitution, has
made, almost in the same words, the
amendment the organic law OF the State.
The eleventh section o: the ninth article of
the State Constitution reads as follows:
1.-THE slaves in South Carolina having
been emancipased by the action of the
United States authorities, neither slavery
or Involuntary servitude, except as punish
ment for crime whereof the party shall
have been convicted, shall ever be rc-es-
tablished in this State" The Convention
having adopted the very words Of the first
section Of the Amendment to the Consti-
tuition of the United States, the Legisla-
trr7e will have no hesitation in confniag
1T, and in due form technically adopt the
amendment AS regards the second sec
haN. sRfe plain construction Of the language,
and the Interpretation of it as heretofore
enunciated by the Executive at Washing
ton, Governor Perry very clearly sets forth
in his message, and his suggestion in re-
htion to placing on record this intcrpreta-
ton, is well timed and judicious, and will
no doubt meet the approval Of the Legis-
Btcre.
Ehe more serious question, if it is made
\ condition precedent to the restoration Of
she State to her rightful position in the
Federal Union, is that connected with the
ultimate payment Of any debt contracted
by the State to aid in carrying on the late
var. The State is in no way liable for any
portion Of the Confederate war debt proper;
any obligations she may have incurred, for
extraordinary expenses incurred during the
war, and incident thereto, ''are to her own
citizens; and the funds raised and expend-
ed, except alone for military dsfences,
or the distribution Of subsistence to the
needy and destitute" Her whole debt is
not large, and, as Governor Perry has in
formed the authorities at Washington, was
created by carrying on State improvements
anterior to the war. We think that, on
this point, there will be no serious obstacle
to the State asserting her right. and to her
claim being acknowledged. III her homes.
purpose to become loyal State Of the
Union.
In conclusion, We have no hesitation in
declaring, that the people of South Caro-
lima have done their whole duty, in their
efforts to restore their former relations
with the Federal Government and the
other States of the Union. No State has
acted more promptly. and We are sure none
more honestly, than she has done. A.. to
her fidelity, i'll the support of President
Johnson's policy OF restoration, til, follow
ing resolution, unanimously adopted, We
believe, by the Convention, is the strongest
evidence and the best guarantee:
''Resolced, BY the delegates of the pcopie
of South Carolina, III convention u,sc!n-
blcd, that we endorse the administration of
n,:-..ilGlat III