The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-10-01

cumstances, the President Of the United
States invited the States lately composing
the Confedcracy to re-organize their gov
ornments and restore their connection with
the Constitution and Government of the
United States, upon Certain conditions, the
principal OF which was an acquicsence in
the abolition of slavery, which had been
accomplished by the military authorities.
The State, wisely in my Judgment, respond
cd favorably to the invitation. It is true
that the mere issue of battle does not prove
right any more than did the old wager of
battle put 1t does prove power which can
not be disregardcd. A Provisional Cover
nor was appointed, who called another con-
vention OF the people, which has lately
repealed the Ordinance of Secession. and
by an article in the State Constitution,
recognized the abolition Of slavery sndpro-
hlblted its re-establishment. BY repeal
1hg chat OF Secession, the Ordinance Of
1888, through which South Cnrona be-
came member OF the Union, was ipso
.tdcto revived, and we are this day in the
Union precisely as we became in l7SS and
remained up to 1860.
We are now in q very anomalous position.
Relying upon the good faith and patriotic
intentions OF the President OF tlil United
States. we have done all that was required
OF us TO restore our old relations to the
Constitution and the Union; but still we
have not been received into fellowship at
Washington. That important part of the
plan OF reconstruction remains vet to be
accomplished. 1t is understood that
party Will oppose the Presidents plan of
reorganizing the States and giving to them
equality Of rights, and will insist upon still
farther dcspoilinS and crushing the States
OF the South as conquered provinces. This
radical fanatical party opposed our leaving
the Union, and now they oppose ourrcturn-
ing to it. When we wore i'll the Union. they
abused us on account of slavery. They
waged war upon us because we tried to
separate from them, and Low that we pNo-
pose to return without slavery, they still
object. In this emergency, the State needs
the assistance OF all her trec men, Much
remains to be done, and not the least is to
secure Il prudent, faithful and patriotic
representation in Congress- to assist and
forward the work OF restoration which the
State has commenced. l arrogatc not to
myself fitness to form part Of such rep
resentation, but friends have urged me for
ward, and II you are willing to try mo,
Will give my best efforts.
in some respects, We arc at the beginning
OF our policy, as ii we were new State
about to assume new relations with our
sister States; but VIC must never allow our
selves to forget that in other respects we
are an old State-a State having antece-
dents-a name to maintain and history 10
~ 0seiVc. HHateEeT may DcClde us III the
uncertain future, the past, ct least, is ses-
cure. South Carolina has never swerved
from the path of honor, as she conceived it.
We have a record OF which none need be
ashamed; and when any apostatc son of
hers disclnin%s or dsparagcs it t,may she
cast him out as unworthy of her The
devotion OF every true son OF the State
adheres in adyersity as well as in pros
perlty-is loyal through evil as we'll al
through good report; and in the midst of
the greatest misfortunes, ''stickcth closer
than brother"
After the delegations from the Southern
States shall have been received into Con-
gress, many delicate and impol tant duties
will devolve upon them, especially in refer
ence to the freedmen of the South, and the
control which Congress, or party in Con-
them. 1t may not be improper, in this
connection, to say that, whilst have ap-
proved the course OF the State in seeking
to restore her old relations with the Govern
Hent OF the United States, it has been upon
the faith and expectation that the State, as
soon as reconstructed, is to have entire
control OF the whoie subject OF hcr domes-
tic affairs. The State, and the State alone,
must be left to decide to whom she will
give the right Of suffrage or otherpolitical
rights. a new code NOR must be enacted
to protect and govern the population lately
made free-to prevent idleness, vagrancy,
paupcrism and crime. am not prophet |
enough to foresee whether we can succeed,
but solemnly believe it will be impossible |
to live in the country at all unless thu State |
has exclusive control OF the whole subject. |
| have hope that this will bcpermitted, and
/ think it is in accordance with our inte-
rests and true policy to sustain the P.esi-
dent and the Democratic party in their
efforts to restore the States to their posi-
ton of equality and to give them equal
rights in the Government.
With these views, if the voters Of the
District think that can serve them or the
State in this critical emergency, will do
my best for them; but have too high
sense of my own incompetency and of the
difficulties and responsibilities of the posi-
lion, to solicit it by a personal canvass.
SAMUEL MCGOWAN.
ABBEvnLE c. H., Sept. 27, 1865.
Medical College Of Georgia, Augusta.
THE regular Course Of Lectures in this
institution will be commeLccd on the