Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-11-08

growth of the upper country IN weaitn Auo
population, unequal and unjust, allowing one
Judicial District TO-, have ten Senators, ano
others of equal extent in territory but one
was abolished, and all were assigned an equa!
representation in the Senate. The just, equs
l'and conservative basis of representation in
the House, founded OH white population and
taxation, was retained. The unequal classi-
| fcation of lands has been changed, and taxes
are now to be. levied ir proportion to the as
sessed value Of all taxable property. A mod
crate poll tax is provided for, which will cause
all to contribute something towards The sup
port of the Government under which they
live and are protected. The property quail
ficstion Of members Of the Senate and House
of Representatives, which seemed to presume
that a mans patriotism depeaded on bis
wealth, has been dispensed with. The mem.
bers of t-a Legislature are required to vote
ri5a 1oce in, ali elections, so that their con-
stituents may know, for whom they voted.
The Chief Magistrate Of the State is TO be
elected by the people for four years, and hss
a.qualifed veto on the legislation. of the two
| Houses. ;.
Such, gentlemen. is the new Constitution
under-Which you have assembled, and which,
it is, hoped, will inspire the people OF South
Carolina with new democratic zeal and ener.
gy in developing, intellectually and physical
| ", the talent and RESOURCES OF the State. 1t
is true that, uRder, tha old regime, South Car
olina has gwen the Reptile bright galaxy of
names which she may well be proud of; but
her material prosperity as sState has not
kept peace with that of her Southern sisters.
Her population has boen moving TO the South
west, until there are,, at this time, almost as
many kstive South Carolinians living iu other
States as there are in this State. They have
drained the State, toe, of her wealth and el;-
Srgies.. For the iast thirty or forty years We
have likewise been obliyious of ali internal
improvement in our fruitless and vexstious
supervision of the action Of the Federal Gov
ernment. Agriculture has been neglected,
manufactures almost ignored, and commerce
,despised. Foreign, Immigration, which has
filed other States with wealth and population,
developed their resources, and made them
happy, prosperous and powerful, has been
discouraged in South. Carolina. Her riches
have been exhausted by her dependence on
Others for almost everything she, consumed
or needed. We have been dependent on the
| Western States for our horses; mules, cattle
| and hogs bacon, lard and beef From the
Northern States we have received the futni-
| ture of our houses, and the implements ol
our farms and plantations, the, carriages in
which we rode, and the clothes which ws
wore. ...=s,..
This policy must no longer be continued.
It should be the pride Of every farmer and
planter in the State to raise, grow OF rake
everything which he uses or needs. Slavery
has been abolished, and labos made more
honorable as well as more necessary. They
Who have heretofore spent their lies in case
and idleness Will be forced TO work. Planting
and the learned professions, are no longer the
only honorable means Of livelihood for our
young men. They must become .raaesmen,
manufactures, artisans and mechanics. I'm
| migration Of Industrious foreigners must be
encouraged. Then manufacturers will spring
up, commerce willrevive, and We shall be-
come an independent people.
The emancipation Of our slaves will, in all
probability, abstract greatly from the active
labor of the country. Planters and farmers
should dispose of a portion OF. their lands to
immigrants and capitalists from Europe and
Atbe North. This will increase the wealth
and industry of the State, and render mere
valuable the lands which remain uhsold. 1t
Will also haye-a wholesome chtck on the ccl-
ored population, and sire ngtbcn our security
from nsurreclions and violence. Thrtcfourths
of the State of South Carolina are uncul;i-
vatcd. Instead Of population OF seven
hundred thousand, our terriiery is sufficient
to support one Of seven millions, il properly
distributed in manufactures, commerce ard
l.. 81
agriculture.
|. 1t becomes your urgent duty, gentlemen, to
make immediate provision for the protection
and goyerrment o: the freedmen and colored
people who have been s0 suddenly released
from slavery in their ignorance and destitu
ton. This is alike due to humanity asd JUS
tica, as we'll as the imperative necessities OF
society. The negro has lost the protection
of his master. and he must now be protected
hy the law. This is expected of you by the
President and The Federal Congress, and will
remove all pretence for military rule in the
State, as well as facilitate your speedy resto-
ration to the Union and selfsoverpment.
/ The nagro is innocent OF all that he has
coed and al that you. have lost, and he is
ga. d TO yorr sympathy and kindness, your
entitie pad guidance. The Conyention
protecslo;, eroyisiopsl Governor TO appoint
ordered G !ne the purpose of preparing
o 0ommlltee TOT the Legislature Tor their
anu n sau'n't.l,5 sn5e IF u Us tof sae protection
and goyernuient OF the fir, ap.sn orde- .1e ' Save
persons. In'cbedience to tn ~ Rnrt tyr
appointed Judge Wardlaw and ~. "A, s.s,a II
Of the most eminent jurists in the las
compose this commission. They will, IN sas
>.ime, report to you the result OF their labo. y
| The Convention also authorized the hegisla.
ture to establish Court in each District for
the trial of all cases in which freedmef are
concerned. 1t becomes your duty te'see that
these Courts are organized.
The election Of Presidential Electors has
heretofore been made By the Legislature o.
! South Carolina contrary to the true intent
aud. meaning of the. Federal Constitution
and against the usage in all the othor St.tes
40 Ordinance was passed by the Convention
expressive of their Judgment in regard t.
! this matter, and directed the Pro*isiona
Governor TO Communicate this Ordinance t.
the Legislature at its first session. In obedi
ence to their order,>I herewith send yoa'
| copy OF the Ordinsnce. which you will a
once carry INTO effect. by providing prope
4 mode of eiectiIig electors Of President an
Yice-Prcsi;lent 10y the people
Tie election OF Members Of. Congres