The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-10-07
COLUMBIA s: c. SATURDAY MORNING, OCTOBER = 1855.

quia tnset. It was conceived in the spirit Of
seH-preservation-not to injure othsrs but
to save ourselves. It cannot be NECESSARY
that it Was an honest effort for honorable.
purposes: The United States Governments
denied the right OF secession and wa2ed
war upon the Confederate States, which
stood upon the defensive. A terrible war
Of invasion and desolation followed, and
finally the Confederate States were over
whelmed by force OF numbers and dissolved.
At the end Of the war the State OF South
Carolina found the Confederacy broken up.
her citizens who survived the terrible
ordeal exhausted and impoverished, her
institutions destroyed and the whole coun-
try occupied by the military forces Of the
United States. Under these painful cir
cumstances, the President Of the United
States invited the States lately composing
the Confederacy to re-organize their gov
ernments and restore their connection with
the Constitution and Government Of the
United States, upon certain conditions, the
principal OF which was an acquiesence in
the abolition Of slavery, which had been
accomplished by the military authorities.
The State, wisely in my Judgment, respond
ed favorably to the Invitation. It is true
that the mere issue Of battle does not prove
right any more than did the cid wager Of
battle;" but it does prove power which can
not be disresarded. 4 Provisional Cover
nor was appointed, who called another con-
ventlon OF the people, which hats lately
repealed the Ordinance OF Secession. and
by an article in the State Constitution,
recognized the abolition Of slavery and pro-
hibited its re-establishment. By repeal
ing that Of Secession, the ordinance Of
1888, through which South carolina be-
came q member of the Cnian, was iuso
f0cto revived, and we are this day in the
Union precisely as we became in l7eS and
remained up to 1860.
We are now in avery anomalous position
Relying upon the good faith and patriotic
intentions OF the President OF the 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. It is understood that a
party will oppose the Presidents plan Of
reorganiZing the States and giving to them
equality OF rights, and will insist upon still
farther despolling and crushing the States
OF the South as conquered provinces. This
radical fanatlcai party opposed our leaving
the Union, and now they oppose our e.ur!l-
ing to it. When We were in the Union, they
abused US on account OF slavery. They
waGed war upon US because we tried to
separate from them, and now that we pro-
pose to return without slavery, they still
Y,
the assistance OF all her true men. Much
remains to be done, and not the least is to
secure prudent, faithful and patriotic
representation in Congress, to assist and
forward the work Of restoration which the
State has commenced. I arrogate not to
myself fitness to form part OF such rep
resentation, but friends have urged me for
ward, and if you are willing to try me, I
will give my best efforts.
In some respects, we are at the beginning
OF our policy, as if We were new State
about to assume new relations with our
sister States; but ne 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 q history to
preserve. Whatever may betide us in the
uncertain future, the past, at least, is Sc
cure. South Carolina has never swerved
from the path OF honor, as she conceived it.
We have . record OF which none need ba
ashamed; and when any apostate SON Of
hers disclains OF disparages it, may she
cast him out as unworthy of her. The
devotion OF every true son OF the State
adheres in adversely as well as in pros
pcrity-;s loyal through evil as wen a,
through good report; and in the midst of
the greatest mlsfortunes, ''sticketh closer
than a brother
After the delegations from the Southern
States shall have been received into Con-
gress, many delicate and impcl tant duties
will devolye upon them, especially in refer
| ence to the freedmen Of the South, and the
control which Congress, or patty in Con
gress, may desire still to exercise over
them. 1t may not be improper, in this
| connection, to say that, whilst I have ap-
proved the course Of the State in seeking
to restore her old relations with the Govern,
ment Of the United States, it has been upon
the faith and expectation that the State, as
! sVln as reconstructed, is 20 have entire
control of the whole subject Of her domes-
| tic a.Aairs. The State, and The State alone,
must be left to decide to whom she will
| give the right Of suffrage or other political
rights. new code nor must be enacted
to protect and govern thepopulation lately
made free-to prevent idleness, vagrancy,
pauperism and crime. 1 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 the State
has exclusive control OF the whole subject
/ have hope that this will be perInitted, and
| think it is in accordance with our inte-
rests and true policy to sustain the Presi-
| dent and the Democratic .rty in their