The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-07-11
epEEcH OF THE HON w. W. BOYCE,

s C., on Hednesday, the 2lst June, 1865,
-, the meeting held for the restoration OF the
c;va Government Of South Carolina.
Duripg the absence of the committee to pre-
mare resolutions for the action of the meeting,
saws the Winnsboro News,) Mr. Boyce being
cslied upon, rose and addressed the people as
sembled:
Mr. PRESIDENT: approve of the object of
the meeting. 1t is greatly to our interest to
have civil government established in the State
# By the theory of our institutions, while few
4 ,reat interests are exclusively con6ded to the
Federal authority, large mass of legislation is
reserved 20 the States individually The SOON
sr we have a State Government in operation,
lhe sooner we will have control over our local
legislation, and the sooner we may look for the
withdrawal of military authority. The military,
!, Ii true, are acting, so far as / have learned,
both 10 this State aud adjoining States, with
srest pupriety. But still it is preferable to
I've under civil government. I am satisfied
rom what learned at Washington that Presi-
lent johnson will extend to this State the same
privilege of establishing the State Government
hst be has and is extending to the States of
North Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, and
Beorgia, &C. No discrimination will be made
sganst this State. I am satisfied that the
President is ready to establish our State Gov.
lFnment as soon as he thinks public opinion is
: fpe for it. The object of this meeting is ia
bake known the sense of the people of this Dis.
|tlct on the subject From all can learn up
this point, and [ have taken every opportu
|hty of informing myself of the wishes of the
Fople of the State, am satisfied the great mass
the people, by an overwhelming majority
nountIng almost to unanimity, earnestly desire
Ehe establishment of State authority in entire
armOny with the government of the United
sates. apprehend that in this large meeting,
n kere will be but one opinion ON the subject.
W might stop here, but presume you desire
e hear something Of my late visit to Washing
p At the instance of some of our most infu-
fha citizens, 1 went on to see the. President
the United States. I had been we'll acquaiut-
LII with him as member of the Senate of the
Rned States. | had heard so much of him,
Il talents, the obstacles he had overcome, and
EiAe controlling influence he had acquired in his
Idhe, that took pains to form his acquaint-
EAace, and observed him with deep interest.
tuc~ that man who had accomplished what
a had, who from the most adverse position had
sen, TO be successively, member of Congress,
FeVernor and Senator, was no ordinary man. L
Eapeced in him the man who had erected his
In statue, aud found Mr. johnson to be man
EfFeMarkable talents, immense energy, great
bd sense, strong will, with perfect selfreli-
4ee, man who belonged to himself and not to
l,her.
SO one can have greater adherence of that
fably stupid crime, the assassination of Mr.
coln, than have, but do not think that
eby the Southern States have fallen into
B hand of cruel tyrant, as has been imagin-
~ some. Emancipation is conceded to be a
kn1u fact. President johnson, am satisfied,
deal with our people in no ungenerous spi-
N All who accept the existing order Of
es, who, in good faith, desire to be peaceful
8 loyal citizens, will, as general rule, in my
ion, experience the clemency of the gov
brent. On the great question of the right of
rage in these States, Presiden. johnson has
Fn the conservative position of referring the
ter to the States themselves. For this he
incurred the opposition Of the extreme wing
be Republican party. We cannot but at
the issue of this difference of opinion with
t interest, and think the progress Of fevents
pch as to indicate that these States will give
uAc"di" cuppolS so tic 0ou4Aoiotohtou Va
Usdent johnson.
consider slavery as gone, and the best thing
us to do is to recognize that fact distinctly
unequivoeally, and accept it in perfect good
with all its logical consequences. Any
r course is only going to protract and valesi
pc darkness of the night through which we
bow passing. Let US recognize tie great
that the negro is no longer slave, and let
let towards him in kind spirit. This does
ot course imply that We are to sacrifice our
f. for him, but it means that We are to give
fair chance. This is our policy, this our
Less than this will not satisfy our sister
s. If then, after fair trial, emancipation
es to be failure and the negro race is an in