The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1866-11-30

and elect men to Congress whr are to pass
laws taxing and governing them! Now that
all this has been done, whatfulthcr or higher
pledsc of honorable obedience can be given
by one people to another? Docs the majori
tv who now rule Congress expect to make us
bettcr men or better citizcns-more service
able to the country in peace and in war;. by
further llumilating and degrading US? Not
wi,hstandng all these pledges and conccs
sions: it is sought still further to humliatc
md degrade the South. Eleven orthc South
crn States. including South Carolina, arc de-
uriyrd of their representation in Congress.
Although their Senators and Representatives
have been duly elected, and have presented
themselves for the purpose Of taking their
seats, their credentials have, in most instan-
ccs. becn laid upon the table without being
read or have been referred to committee,
who have failed to make any report on the
subject. In short, Congress has refused to
exercise its Constitutional functions, and de-
eide either upon the election, the return, or
the qualification Of those selected by the
States and people to represent us. Some OF
the Senator's and Representatives from the
Southern States were prepared to take the
test oath, but even these have been persist
emily ignored, and kept out of the seats to
which they were entitled under the Constltu-
ton and laws. Hence this amendment has
not been proposed by "two-thirds OF both
Uauses'' of a legally constituted Congress,
and. Constitutionally OF lcgitimately, before
n single Legislature for ratification. Waiv
| inr this point, however, is it compatible with
the interest, or consistent with the honor OF
This State, to ratify that amendment? Do
not its first and last sections, if adopted, con-
fer upon Congress the absolute right of de-
termining who shall be citizens of the re-
spective States, and who shall exercise the
elective franchise and enjoy any and oil OF
the rights, privileges and immunities Of citi-
zensbip? The sections referred to not only
do this but they subvert the theory and prac
tice of the Government since its foundation,
by abrogating the right of fixing the elective
franchise conferred upon the respective State
Governments, and BY giving the representa-
tivcs of Oregon or California in Congress the
power to declare what shall constitute the
measure of citizenship within the limits of
South CAROLINA or Georgia. Who is most
likely to exercise this power judiciously-
the citizens of the State wherein the regula-
ton is TO be made, or non-rcsidents, who are
| entirely ignorant of the population, the in
tellireilcc, necessities and resources for which
legislation is undcrtalean? With this pmend-
mcnt Incorporated in the Constitution, does
not the Federal Governments cease to be one
of slimitcd powers in all Of the essential
qualities which constitute such form of Go
ycrnment? Nay, more; does not its adop-
tion reverse the well-approvctl doctrine, that
the United States shall exercise no powers,
unless expressly delegated by the CcHssitr-
tion!
The third section, if its spirit were carried
out, would rot only aisorganize the State Go
vcrnmcnt in all Of its departments, but would
render it nearly impossible for the people OF
South Carolina, at least, to re-organize 60
ve1Yhment until Congress, by two-thlrds
d vote in the case of each Individual person,
removes the disability. And this, for the
| reason that when secession was determined
upon by the Convention Of the State, South
Carolina may :bc truly said to have been
unit in sustaining the doctrine, and IN earn
estly and zcalously prosecuting the war
When, therefore, every citizen who, Mt any
time prior to secession had taken the oath
Hto ssffport the Constitution OF this State,
and of the United .Statcs," and who subse-
aucntly aidod and ;Gbettcd the war, is cxclu-
icd from every official position, State rs well
us Federal, the magnitude Of the disability
is unveiled. Every officer in the past of the
d State, civil and military, was required, be-
fore entering upon the discharge of the du-
ties of his Office. to subscribe to such m oath,
from the Senator in Congress to the licuten-
ant in the beat companies. Who then can be
made Judges, Congressman. Legislators, Dis
trict Officers and Magistrates? 1t is to be
| observed therefore, that as to this State, tho
4 adoption of the amendment will necessarily
result in perjury OH the part of those who
attempt to fill such Offices, or to anarchy, II
they are not filed. Congress, violating ano-
ther established principle Of the Constitution,
confcrs upon itself the right of the prrdon-
ing power, when the Constitution vests it in
the President How long would it occupy
the attention of that body to remove the dis
abilities imposed, for a sufficient number OF
our citizens TO fill the respective Offices in
Sonth Carolina alone? Is anarchy to per-
vadc society until it suits the interests, the
prejudiccs, the passion or the caprice Of Con-
gross to proclaim such acts of grace and
mercy? ,,.g.:s:i. III. :
There arc other objections of n grave cha
ractcr which might be urged; and among
these it may be mentioned, that if the amend
lncnt is adopted, we not only have no guar
antce that our representatives would be ad-
mittcd TO Congress, but thcre urc unmistake-
nblc indications th!at they would still be ex-
clutlc,l 1t is unnecessary, however, to dwell
upon n subject which has been 50 fur decided
hy the public opinion of tile people of the
State. that am justified in saying, that if
the Constitutional amendment is to be adOp-
ted, let. it be done by the irresponsible pow-
CT of numbers, and let us preserve our own
sclf-rcspcct, and the respect ofourp posteritg,
by refusing to be the mcaQ instruments OF
our own shame: ..
L tender to you, gentlemen, my cordial CO.
operation in discharging the grave duties
and responsibilities devolved s'pon you at this
critical and .oycntful period in our history
You ,hqSe .she glorious "reminiscences of the
past to stimulate, unrl the precious hopes of
the future to encourage you, ipmccting these
responsibilities with fQrttlule, courage and
discretion, and relying lbpon the support and
protection of the all-powerful arm Of gra-
cious God, your patriotic efforts to restore
the blightcd prosperity and reclaim the bro
kcu fortunes of n generous, noble and con-