Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1865-11-03

V'0d V0ce IN all electloDs,- so that their con
stltuents may know for whom they voted
The Chief Magistrate of the State is to b.
lelected by the people for four years, ant
has aqualified veto on the legislation Q
the two Houses.
Such, gentlemen, is tho new Constitu-
ton. under which you hare assembled, ant
which, it is hoped, will inspire the peopl
of South Carolina with new Democrat,
zeal and energy in developing, in,ellectu-
ally and physically, the talent and resour
ces of the State. 1t is true that, under
the oiQ regime, South Carolina has giver
the Republic bright: galloxy of name.
Which she may we'll be proud Of; but he,
material prosperity Us d State has not KEEP
pace with that Of her Southern sisters
Her population has been moving TO the
Southwest till there are, at this time, al,
most as many native South Carolinians
living in other States as there are 10 this
State. They have drained the State, too
OF hef wealth and energies. For the last
thirty Or forty years we have likewise been
ob'lvious of all internal improvement in
our fruitless and vexatious supervision OF
the action Of the Federal Government.
Agriculture has been neglected, manufac-
lures almost ignored, and commerce des-
pissed. Foreign immigration, which has
TILED other States with wealth and popu-
lation, developed their resources and made
them happy, prosperous and powerful, has
been discouraged in South Carolina. Her
riches have been exhausted by her depend
ence on others for almost every thing she
consumed or needed. We have been de.
pendent on the Western States for our
horses, mules, cattle and hogs, bacon, lard
and beef From the Northern States, we
have received the furniture of our houses,
and the implements of our farms and plan
tat'ons, the carriages in which we rode, and
the clothes which we wore.
This policy must no longer be contin-
ued. 1t should be the pride of every far
mer apd planter in the State to raise, grow
or make every thing which he uses or
needs. Slavery has been abolished, and
labor made more honorable as well as more
necessary. They who have heretofore
spent their lives in ease and idleness will
be forced to work. Planting and the
learned professions are no longer the only
honorable means Of livelihood Tor our
young men. They must become trades
men, manufacturers, artisans and mecilan-
les. immigration Of industrious foreign
ers must be encouraged. Then manufac-
lures Will spring up, commerce will revive,
and We shall become all independent peo-
pie.
The cmanci patton of our slaves will, in
all probability, abstract greatly from the
active labor of the country. Planters and
farmers should dispose of portion of their
lands to Immigrants and capitalists from
Europe and the North. This will increase
he wealth and industry of the State, and
'ender more valuable the lands which re-
main unsold. It. will also have a whole.
some check on tho celored population, and
strengthen our security from insurrections
and violence. Three-fourths Of the State
>f South Carolina uncnltivated. Instead
'f apopulation of seven -hundred thou.
sand, our territory is sufficient to support
one OF seven millions. if properly distrib.
lted in manufactures, commerce aud ap-
iculture.
1t becomes your urgent duty; gentlemen,
70 make immediate provision for the pro-
tsction and government Of the freedmen
and colored people who, have been SO sud-
denly released from slavery in their igno
rance and destitution.. This is alike due
10 humanity and justice, as we'll as the i'm
perative necessities of society. The negro
mas lost the protection of his master, and
ne must now be protected by the law.
This is expected OF you by the President
and the Federal Congress-, and will remove
aii pretence for military rule in the State,
as sell as facilitate your speedy restoration
to the Union and selfgoyernnuent. The
negro is innocent Of all that he has g4ined
and all that you have lost and be is enti-
tied to yonr sympathy and kindness, you.
protection and guidance. The Convention
ordered the Provisional Governor to an.
point Commission for the purpose Of pre-
pairing and submitting to the Legislature,
for their adoption, a code Of laws for the
protection and government Of the freedmen
and colored persons. In obedisnca to their
order l havo appointed Judge Wardlaw
and MIR. Burt. two Of the most eminent
Jurlsts IN the State. to compose this Com
mission. They will, in due time, report
to you the result of their labors. The
Convention also authorized she Legislature
to,establsa Court 10 each District for the
trial Of ~ cases ia which freeipen are
concerned. 1t becomes your duty to see
that these Courts are organized.
The election Of Presidential electors has
heretofore been made by the. Legislature
Of South Caroline, contrary to-. The true
intent and meaning Of the Federal Con-
stituhene and against the usags iu,all the
other Statest An Ordinance was passed
by the. Convention, expressive OF their
Judgment in regard to this matter, and di.
,seeted the Provisional Governor to COM.
mnnicate this Ordinance TO the Legislature
at i1 first session. In obedience to their
order herewith send you a copy of the
crdip ahcs, which you wifl,. at once, carry
into effect. by providing a proper mode. q
electing electors of President aud Vice
Pfesidepsby the people: ,s'a 3''ifs<s