Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-11-17


main Infamous in history. The same thing
cannot again occu, in any other Southern
State.
The third section Of the proposed constitution.
al amendment is more revolving to an honora.
bic mind than either Of the others 1t is, in
the true sense OF the word, Bill of attain.
der pnd &c post /t,cto law so wpngnant to the
sentiments and feelings of the sigun cr, of the
Federal Constitution that thsY declared no
such law should ever be passed. 1t Furnishes
for past offences, by one fell swoop, tens of
thousands Of honorable men. 1hc conception
Of such Il Bill was never before, probably,
thought Of by an Englishman, or The dcs, en-.
dan: Of an Eng'shnan. 1t ccrtlinly was not
attempted by the English Parliament in the
darkest aud b'oodics days Of English tyranny.
The only Incident in history analogous to it,
is the wish Of Nero, that all ncli had but one
neck so that he could cut them of at one
blow. 1t proposes to os;racisc and disgrace
forever not only all the leading men of the
South, but all, however humble they may be,
wi have ever flied any civil Office in any Of
tic Southern States This hcction declares
that no one who has taken an oath to support
the Constitution Of the Unittl States and was
afterwards aiding and aLctting in the war,
shall Hereafter hold any Office under the State
or United States.
The Governors of the States, the judges,
members Of the Legislature, magistrates, con.
stables, State and District officers, are ALL for
ever, excluded by this provision. TO suppose
that any Southern man would Voluntarily
adopt such a provision is indeed placing a very
low estimate on Southern character. The sold.
icr who gallantly fought under the lead Of lis
General, and who would have sacrificed his
own life, at any time for the eprotcction of his
commander, is required to disllonor aud dis.
grace him in peace. The son is required to
vote the infamy of his father The people
are asked to rrrudiatc and disgrace those
whom they have, through life, honorel and
clarified in honoring Every Southern State
is required to cxpcl from shei councils, lcr
Legislature, and from all public Offices, her
"lSest, best aud most experienced public SER
wants. Was ever such a proposition before
submitted to an intelligent, virtuous and Chris
tian people? low any honorable man, who
reflects on this section of the proposed amend
mcnt, and sees its bearing and consequences,
can expect or counsel its adoption is, to my
mind incomprchcnsiblc. That any Southern
man should vote for it or favor its adoption is
confession Of his own dshonor and infamy
Such manwoud willingly bctray his country,
HIS OWL t0uSCnOu ana His IOu.
If tie Southern States were so lost to all
shame as to adopt this section, it is possible
that young men might be found to fill all the
State oaiecs; but they could not represent
their State in Congress or hold any Office un-
der the United Statcs, on account of their
having aided and Allotted in the war. The
States would still be unrcprescntcd in Con
grcss as long MS the test oath is continued
Nl,o ~
vidrs that amendments may be proposed by
vote of two thirds of both Houses of Congress,
and when adopted by three. fourths OF the
State Legislatures, shall become part Of the
Federal Constitution. This clause of the
Congress when such amendments should be
States would be represented in Congress- This
was the security against injud.cious amend
ments. But the proposed amendment was
adopted whilst ten States were excluded from
all representation in Congress. Itncvcr could
have been proposed to the State Legislatures by
n full Congress, aud consequently should nor
now be regarded by them as consttu;ionally
submitted to the Legislatures Tor adoption.-
1t should be, and will be, rejected unanimous.
y hy ten or eleven of the Southern States,
and never can become part of the Federal
Constitution.
What will be the consequence of this re-
lection, is wholly immaterial to the Southern
States You say that worse terms will bc en-
forced on lis. This may be so but we shall
have the consolation Of knowing that We did
not voluntarily adopt them, and that amidst
all the Tyranny and oppression which may be
hcaped on us, we have maintained our honor
| uuSullic1 mud never con lOSo orr snlf rocnoot
The Southern States may be kept out of
Congress. who cares for that? We have
been out for tho last twelve months, and during
all that time have been improving our condi-
ton, and rapidly restoring tho prosperity of
our country The Northern people are near
ly equally divided. One:half of them nre