Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1865-09-07

and prosperity, of j,st laws and equal
rights. H. the work Of restoration ali
must unite. "Liie is real, lille is earnest, ~
and each one has his duties to perform
Let us make the hest Of circumstances,
leaving the issue to the Allwise -Disposer
.pf events. We made an issue with the
United States Government. That issue
has been decided against ~, and it is now
the duty Of every good citizen to lear true
allegiance to that Government and support
it, Constitution.
The. CoNvENTIoN.--In view Of the
many grave aud important questions
which will come mp for adjudication, pc
fore the approaching Convention, we arc
surprised to see the apathy and indiffer-
ence with which SO many regard the cleo
ton of its members, and look forward to
its probable action. People generally are
80 much dispirited at tue present aspect Of
affairs, at the widespread loss Of property,
and at the social evils which they appre
hend as the necessary frut Of emanci
patton, that they regard our condition as
remediless, and indeed as scarcely admit
ting of being made worse. Blu: tlas is
mistaken view. Our situation is not as
bad as it may he, and whether it is to be
ameliornted depends equally upon the
spirit md enterprise Of the people, and The
judgement and tact Of the statesman.
Vital questions are now 10 be determined
affecting every interest in the community,
relations internal apd external are to be
adjusted, without which the enterprise and
thrift Of the citizen will be unayaiing.
DO we desire the removal Of the mill
tny force in OUT midst and the restoration
Of civil au!Lority-,lle just administration
of laws Of our own making by tunctiona-
ries Of our own choosing. This can only
be done by the a. tion Of the approaching
Convention. Upon them will depend the
restoration Of trial BY jury. the freedom Of
the press, the exemption from illegal ar
res,-in short, all the rights and immuni-
ties Of freemen.
First apd most prominent among the
questions which will come up for discus
sion before Convention is the political
status of the negro. Is be to be placed in
political and social equality with the white
mnn-to outvote us at the polls, rule
in pnr assemblies, administer justice
for US in the forum, give testimony against
US on the witness stand, be our oracle in
law, religion and morals, interchange with
us the courtesics of the festive meeting,
and elbow Us in the crowded walks OF iiCe !?
Is the negro or the white man to rule the
S,ate2 and to determine that question
much depends upon the action of the Con,
vention-upon the tact and skill of our
leading men in aecon,n: odating the action
Of the State to the reconstruction policy of
President Johnson, aud so adjusting mat
ters at h.me As 10 conciIate TIE conser"a
tive element absoad.
Many other vital questions Of state pol.
icy will engage The deliberations. ard ac-
ton Of the Convention. ratification OF
the various acts Of the Slate Legislature
passed during ihe war, and the various off
ciaI proceedings Of public funct,onnries-
the adjustment Of all. contracts made in the
same period TO some equitable standard OF
depreciation.-tho spporlionment of the
taxation and representation 1.-The overhaul.
ing Of the Pn,ish .system-tle popular
election of Governor, and other State
officers. The Parish sys TEN has al,
ways given the lower country the pre-
ponderance in the Senate and having
having no basis in taxation and population
Is opposed to every principle Of. just nd
equal representation. Tie changes in
psoperty yalnatlon will also likely affect the
representation Of that section in the lower
house. IN view of these changes, and
other indications we suppose that porula,
character will be given TO most Of ou,
elections The Judiciary may be spared