The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-15

VolvlnS the loss OF amounts IN value, and
causing crime and misery to degree never
among men. Most assuredly the world
does not improve.
Since the old State Constitution was sane
toned before, it cannot be deemed wrong
now. Let it be re-atfirmcd, with the sin gle
| modification Of gradual emancipation. in
! this way the constitutional question: the
question Of compensation, the question
| of the extension of the right of suffrage,
and all controversy in relation to the pro
clamatlon, would be gotten rid of The
General Government having satisfied any
supposed obligation incurred, and perfectly
aware that control given to officials, mex
pcrienced, and without sympathy with the
interests involved, must necessarily cause
mischief, would gladly leave the whole mat
ter with the States. Wages having been
proposed to our laboring class, let wages be
conceded; however, 50 far as plantations are
concerned, not monthly, but certain por-
ton of the clear proceeds of the years trans
actions, to be distributed ut the Christmas
holidays. Let the maintenance, medical
attendance, &C., be continued, as hereto
fore; the labor, where it's nature will admit,
be task-wors, accortlins>to the established
custom Of the country hcaaman each
day reporting dclinquents, they to be heard
In their defence, and arbitration had when
claimed. A monthly abstract, showing the
time lost by each idlcr, to be made out and
read to the assembled workers. Provision
to be made for educating the young For
the first five years let the remuneration be
one-tenth of the net annual income from
plantation accounts and sales, made ut the
discretion Of the planter; for the second,
onc-eighth; for the third, onc-sixth; for the
fourth series, onc-ffth; and for the final
scmi-decade, one-fourth. This would be Il
ventable apprenticeship, giving a progress
slye state to the present gencration and
preparing the rising one for the eventual
conflict of capital with labor. The system
would be a new one; not the checking off
by the proprietor for his own benefit the
surveillance by the operatives themselves.
The negroes are avcrse to leaving this coun-
try. The employment Of force would be
banishment, a punishment for crime, and
the courts would interfere. Their coloniza-
ton cannot be effected unless the States,
ignoring the proclamation, enact gradual
emancipation and impose as the condition
of freedom, that it shall be optional to send
them, excepting quadroons, out Of the
country. That action. under cover of States
rights, is the only mode by which the Gen
eral Government, influenced by the domi-
nant party, now repcntant of its suicidal
course, can retracc It's steps; for if the Con-
vention yield to the us,u'pation of the pro-
Nclamation, all will be lost irrevocably The
exhausted slavchol,liny States have not ths.
means of building and keeping mp the hos
pltals, infirmaries and >m1hlion"1 .IfilS, nude
necessary by the sudden and radical change
forced on the country by the proclamation.
With the means furnished the exigcncics
of the situation could not be met in time
which alone is conclusive against the policy
of the Federal Government. Pledge should
be cxacted of all candidates for the Lcgisla-
ture or for Congress, that in case gradual
emancipation cannot be effected, then that
they press for the highest compensation, in
every way and at every turn, and us auxiliary
to it, that reputation of the United States
debt be istrcnuously demanded. For three
Years the State should levy no more tax
than merely enough to pay q few indispen-
sable salaries, elling out with certificates,
sc. Not more than $40, 900 should be al
lowed for covering the New State House
with a shingle roof and furnishing it with
pine benches and tables