The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-31
COLUMBIA.
Thursday Morning, Aug. 81, 1865.
Constitution ion~NIaIxinE.

We have, more than once, drawn
attention to the business, duty and
policy of the Convention, about to
assemble in this State; and we have
been at some pains, already. to lndi
cate what we conceive to be the duties
and rights of that body. and the sane
tions under which they will necessarily
assemble These sanctions are derived
directly from the people. who%arc as
sumcd to be virtually present and act
ing for themselves. The trust is q
great and very sacred one, and it be-
hooves the members of The body. TINS
endowed with such extraordinary pow
ers and feeling such extraordinary re-
sponsibihties to weigh we'll what they
do and decide, as the destinics of Il
long future, the generations for
thousand years, may be affected for
good or evil by their present action.
There is u pressure upon them, exter-
nal to the people, derived from the
action of the United States Govern
ment. Their action must be deter
mined by a due consideration of the
powers and acquisitions of the Go
vernment, irrespective of all other in
hncnces, precisely as they shall decide
upon the value and Importance to the
people, of the return Of the State to
the folds of the Confeleracy. The
consideration prescribed, upon which
the State is Permitted to return, it is
for them to estimate. While doing
so, it may be well that they should rc-
fresh themselves, as we have already
counselled, by 4 reference to the Con-
StltutIonS of those States of the North
which are usually regarded as free of
all reproach, on the scors OF their
anti-republicanism. New Hampshire
is recognized rs one of those States,
hus pure in doctrine. and vetl-fornd-
in the right articles o: t,:ita a.. y, i
practice. We give belo" sel:a:n
racts from tic Constitution o1 New
opshlre; amt :,.- of Massachusetts,
sundry Others is like unto it; al
,sse c' w
~, an liberty the same vital prin-
80 The Convention of South
should take care to shetc,
..7f q, "a the people whom it repre-
.. g., IN all future imputation Of
q, >andone:d any Of these vital
q - Here follow tn" extracts
H. Constitution of New Hamp-
hire: 49,, +7,; , ~,
=. IA ~ .lusive right OF governing
~ '.'a1,-a@. '-4 as Il free, sovereign and
nv -.~1,1o,t i1,' State; and do. and for
AuS arn.t.a shall, exercise and en-
'vei .n,.1, lr ~ ,wcr. jurisdiction and
-, ,a,.foin;n & thereto, which is not.
~. - 49, nnt her, after he, by them c>-
y, ,,.a.l.19 i- In1c>.ate to the United States
~ 20 l..n;o, =, q, ,ngress assembled.
" e.A1I ,,ovr.r re siding originally il.
ia he;po 3eriu I'd from the people,
all the magistrate anu t:. oiitcsia " 81
vernment are ant - oo''i''..s, 1i1> ,i1
agents, aud at all u tnes accountable
to them. ...4
tho common beaaefit protection and
security of the whole co immunity, and
not for the private in tel est or emolu-
ment of any one zaan, family or class
of men; therefore, whe. le\'er the ENDS
u of ne onyernment are perv. rted. or pub
i, lie liberty manifesay emo 'ansrered, and
all other means of redress are 1nenec-
tnal, the people may, nd OF IlSht
ought TO, reform the old or staDhsia
a new government, The doctrine OF
non-resist,nce againstarbitl ary power
and oppression is Absurd, sla wish ana
destructive of the good and h apl mess
of mankind. =. ~.