The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-10-05

finally the Confederate States were over
whelmed by force Of numbers and dissolved
AT the end of the war the State q. South
Carolina found the Confederacy broken up
ordeal exhausted and impoverished, he1
institutions destroyed. and the whole coun-
try occupied by the military forces of the
United States. Under these painful cir
cnmstances, the President Of the United
States invited the States lately composing
the Confederacy to rc-orSanize their gov
| ernmcnts and restore their connection with
the Constitution and Government OF the
Oplted States, upon certain conditions, the
principal OF which was ar acquiesence in
the abolition of slavery, which had been
accomplished by the military authorities.
The State, wisely in lny judgment, respond
ed fayorably to the invitation. It is true
that the mcrc issue OF battle does not prove
right any moro than did the old wager of
battle;' but it does prove power which can
not be disregarded. A Provisional Gpv6r-
nor was appointed, who called another con-
ventlon OF the people, which has lately
repealed the Ordinance Of Secession. and
by an article in the State Constitution.
recognized the abolition. of slavery and pro-
hlblted it's establishment. Dy reDeal-
ing that of Secession, the Ordinance OF
1883, through which South Carolina be-
came member OF the Union, was ;pso
1dcto revived, and we are this day in the
Union precisely as we became in 17SS 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 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 n we 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 a
party will oppose the Presidents plan of
reorganizing the States and giving to them
equality of rights, and will insist upon still
farther despoihng and crushing the States
OF the South as conquered provinces. This
radical fanatlcal party opposed our leaving
the Union, and now they oppose our return
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
object. In this emergency, the State needs
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. / arrogate not to
myself fitness to form part Of such rep
resentation, but friends hav.. urged me for
ward, and if you are willing to try mo, I
will give my bes. efforts.
- 9oilo csPecIS, we are at the beginning
OF our policy, as if we were q new State
about to assume new relations with our
sister Statos; but We must never allow our
selves to forget that i'll other respects we
are an old Statc-a State having antece-
dents-a name to maintain and history to
preserve. Whatever may betide Us iii the
Uncertain future, the past, at least, is SC
cure. South Carolina has never swerved
from tao path of fhonor, as she conceived it.
We have q record OF which none need he
ashamed: and when any apostate son of
he's dlsclaims or disparagcs it, may she
cast him out az unworthy Of her. The
deyotlon OF every true son OF the State
perity-ia legal through evil as well a.,
through good report; and in the midst of
the greatest mistortuncs, ''sticketh closer
than brother
After the delegations from the Southern
states shall have been received into Con-
grGss, many delicate and impol tant duties i
Will deVolVe upon them, especially in refer
encc to the freedmen OF the South, and the |
control which Congress, or party in Con- |
grcss, may desire still te ezor:is. over
them. 1t may not be imprope-, IL thi,
connection, to say that, whilst have an
proved the course of the State In seeking
to restore her old relations with tin, Govern.
mcnt of the United States, it has been mon
the faith and expectation that the State, as
soon as reconstructed, is to have entire
control Of the whole sub bject of her domes-
tic affairs. The State, and the State alone. +
must be left to decide to whom she will
give the right OF suffrage or othsr political
rights. new code npi, Must be enacted
to protect and govern the population lately
made frce-to prevent idleness, vagrancy.
pauperlsm and crime. | am not prophet
enough to foresee whether we can succeed.
put solemnly believe it will be impossible
to live in the country at all unless the State
= mas as exclusive control Of the whole subject.
| have hope that this will be permitted. and
think it is in accordance with our inte-
rests and true policy to sustain the Presi-
dsnt &c, 1T. and the Democratic party in their
Efforts to restore the States to their posi-.
t!on of equality and to give them equal
rights in the Government 49," !
With these vie"s, 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 Ravo too high a
sense sens OF my own incompetency and Of the |
dlfhcultles and responsibilities of the posi- i.