Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-12-08


ctizcnship2 The sections referred to not only
do this, but they subvert tho theory and prac.
ticc of the Government since its foundation by
abrogating the right of liking the elective fran
chise Conferred upon tho respective State Gov.
ernmeuts, and by giving the representatives of
Oregon or California III Congress tho power to
declare what shall constitute tho measure Of
citizenship within the limits of South Carolin,
or Georgia. Who is most likely to exercise
this power .judiciously-thc citizens of the State
wherein tho regulation is to be made or non
residents. who are entirely ignorant of the pap
nlation, the intelligence, necessities md resnnr-
ccs for which Legislation is undertaken? With
this amendment incorporated in the Cunstitu.
ton, docs not the Federal Government cease to
be ono of limited powers" in all OF the essen
tial qualities which constitute such n form Of
Government Nay more does not its ndnn
ti"n reverse the well approved doctrine, that the
United States shall exercise no powers. unless
expressly delegated by tho Constitution?
Tho th'rd section, it its spirit were carried
out. would not only dsorgnnize the State Gov
crnmcnt in all Of it's departments. but would
render it nearly impossible for the people Of
South Carolina. at least, to rc,organzc Gov-
ernmcnt until Congress, by Il two thirds vote in
the case of each individual person. removes the
disability. And this for tho rcpson that " hon
secession was determined upun by the Convcu.
ton Of the State. SIuth Carolina may be truly
said to have been an unit in sustaining tho tlnc.
| trinc. and in earnestly and zcalously proseeu-
ting the war. When, therefore every citizen
who, Mt any time prior to secession had taken
| the oath TO support the Constitution of this
/ State, aad of the United States and who sub.
scqucntly aided aud Allotted, the war, is oxclu.
Ict from every otica, position, State MS well as
Federal, the magnitude of tho disability is I'M.
ve,lcd. Every officer in tho past of tho State.
civil and military. was required, before entering
| upon the discharge Of tho duties of his Office to
subscribe to such AZ oath, from the Senator in
| CONGRESS- a ,lt i'm Ihr brot f.bn,n
ncs. who then can be made Judges, Congress
men, Legislators, District Officers and Ma yis-
tra'os? it is to be observed, therefore, that a
to this State. the adoption of the amcnume ent
will necessarily result to perjury on the part of f
those who attempt to fill such Offices, or to anar.
chy, if they arc not tiled. Congress, violating
another established principle Of the Constitu.
ton, conlcrs nmn itself the right of the pardon
ing power, when tho Constitution vests it in the
President. How long would it occupy the ut,
| tcntion Of that body to remove the disabilities
imposed. for Il sufficient number of, our citizens
| to fill the respective offices in South Carolina
alone? ? Is anarchy to pcrvalc society until it.
suits the interest, the prcjudices, the passion
the caprice Of Congress to proclaim such acts
| of grace and mercy?
There are other objections Of gravcr charac
tor which might be urged; and among these it
! may be mcntioncl that if the amendment is
! adopted, we not only have no guarantee TINT
our representatives would be admitted to Con
! STcSS, DuI tnCy nfe uhnlStaKlDlc lnuic1tiUnS
| that they would still he included. 1t is unncces
sary. however, to dwell upon IL subject which
has been SO far decided by tho public opinion
of the people of the State. that | am justified
in saying, that if the constitutional amendment
is to be adopted, let it be done by the rrcspnns
hle power of numbers, and let MS preserve onr
own seltrespcct, and the respect Of our posteri
ty, by refusing to be tho mean instruments Of
our own shame.
tender to You, gentlemen. my cordial coop
Grafton in discharging the grave duties and re-
and eventlMl pcrod in our history You have
the glorious "reminiscences Of the past to s,i,nu
late. and the precious hopes Of the future to en-
courage you, in meeting these responsibilities
with inrt,ndc. cUuragc and discretion. and rely
Ing nron the support and protection Of the all
powerful arm Of gracious G"d your patriotic
efforts to restore the biighted prosperity and re-
claim the broken fortunes Of gcncrols noble
and cnnfiding constituency will be crowned with
grateful success.
JAMES L. ORR.