Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-07-26
For the YorkvIlle Enquirer.
PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION.

Editor Enquirer: The people Of the
lately rebellious States have enjoyed for a
year the luxury Of rest from strife in the
fields both of war and politics. But it seems
We are to be stirred up from our long re-
pose, and though debarred the use Of the
"fowliug. piece" we must renew the old
conflicts of the almost forgotten stump. 1t
seems our friends in the North are about to
get upa party for our benefit, Constitu.
tional Union party, and we must "shoulder
arms" and fly to the rescue. Governor
Orr has issued his proclamation, calling for
us to gather in haste and send delegates to
a State Convention, that South Carolina
may not be left out in the proposed sisterly
gathering of States; kind Of social meet.
ing, in which the wise virgins who staid at
home are going to trim the lamps of the
erring, foolish sisters who thought they
went out, but did not; and tried to come
back, but could not.
This may be all well enough, and l see
that you, Mr.. Editor, think that no harm
can come Of it, while come good may be ac.
complished.
1t is not often that I differ from you, but
in this case we must split. 1t is best to be
careful how We receive favors from our late
enemies
Experience has taught US to beware of
Northern projects for Southern benefit, and
we are just;6able in adopting the language
Of an old gentleman who figured in the de-.
fence of Troy, when be remarked,
"Tlmeo Danaos, dona ferentes."
And there is one sentiment embodied 10 the
call of Messrs Randall & Co, which ought
to prove rather indigestible to Southern
stomachs. If the South is represented in a
convention which holds that treason (as
interpreted by our foes) should be punished
with death, she virtually adds her voice to
the yelping pack Of ours now bowling for
the execution of our glorious Davis, who is
now in prison for this very offence
The excluded States have done all that
they could honorably do, to prove their ao
ceptance of the arbitrament of war and their
willingness to dwell under the constitution
as expounded by the sword, which has
proved itself a higher judicatory than the
Supreme Court, and has forever settled all
the vexed questions arising from the in
stitution Of slavery.
But, Notwithstanding our compliance
with President Johnsou's terms in formally
abolishing slavery and electing members to
Congress, and Gin the case of most States,
our reputation of the Confederate debt, We
are treated with contempt and insult; con-
tempt by the exclusion of our representa-
tives, and insult by continual doubts of our
sincerity in submitting to the power of the
United States.
Under these circumstances, self.respect
demands of the South to refrain frcm any
more professions of loyalty or further eff.
forts to obtain right and justice.
Having done all IN her power to restore
q state of goodwill between the late con-
tending sections, she should now remain
passive, not Offering the olive branch, but
waiting to receive it.
Above all, she should not commit herself
to the tender mercies of an untried party,
from which she may receive stone, when
asking for bread.
But, while the South should not join in
the new movement by representation, it is
not necessary to oppose it. For the pres.
ent, neutrality is the true policy: Let the
convention meet and announce their prin.
oiples; if these are consistent with the hon.
or of the South, it will then be time enough
to sustain them. If, on the other hand,
they involve degradation of ourselves or
treason to our noble dead, we will escape
the modification of being concerned in the
formation of such party, and be free to
oppose it. w.
nS- A correspondent of the Edgefeld
advertiser, nominates Col. SAM'L W. MEL
TON, as one of the Delegates to represent
he State at large in the Philadelphia Con-
,ankson