The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1867-02-13
For the Lancaster Ledger.
The Constitutional Amendment.

on this subject. though rather at a late
day, may not be out Of place.
This State, and the Southern States
unanimously. have rejected the proposed
Constitutional Amendment and in so
dong, have assumed that the dignity and
honor Of the people and State required
it. Whatever may have been the true
cause Of the rejection, every person is
free to think Tor himself whether it
was from patriotic motives; chivalric sen,
timent,' or personal interest, influenced
our lsw,making powers, in adopting this
course. we are free to Judge; Lu, that
our Legislature was guided by wisdom, a
few months at most will determine.
for one, under the circumstances, let
the opposition be ever 80 great, am in
favor Of the speedy adoption Of this "a.
mendmenL" And in saying this, I only
utter the honest conclusion arrived at af.
ter mature and generous confederation Of
the most Objectionable features Of the
measures touching the interest Of the old
politicians and office holders under the
United States Government.
An obstacle in the way to a reconcl-
ia,ion Of existing political difficulties, is
the self assuring, intermeddling, officious
demaeogues, woo have for the last TWEEN
~ wears been trying TO steer the ship Of
State with but little success. And the
failure OF the cause through four bloody
wears Of war. seems to impart no addi
tionsl wisdom TO the masses Of the peo
pie; for we see impoliti: legislation, bur
densome grievances heaped up by our
own Legislature, personal interests keep.
ing pace With everv measure proposed
for the general welfare.
For instance, the Third Section Of the
"Amendment" excludes from office, State
or Federal, all persons "who having pre-
vionslv taken an oath as a member OF
Congress, or as member Of anv State
Legislature, or as An executive or Judicial
officer OF anv State, to support the Con-
stitutios of the United States. shall have
engaged in insnrrec,ion, rebellion, &c"-
This is the main Objectionable clause to
the South the Others are Of minor i'm
Portancs and bear equally upon the peo.
pie OF all sections. IT does not enfran
chise the negro. It disf,anchise. the in
stigators and leaders Of the rebellion who
had, previous to the war, taken an oath
to support the Constitution of the United
States. do not wish to he undprs,o ood
a. favoring this restriction upon their
rights as citizens. from anv individual or
political differences o' opinion. But when
! consider the very small number Of per
sons this "amendment" would oppress,
10 the large mass il would benefit, I am
forced to seknow edge the importance OF
its ratification. The most Of on. lecisIa'
tors admit This fact. yet. from p.'sona al
grounds. not as assumed. patriotism. we
are constrained to believe Influenced their
course patriotism, in our construction
means The reverse Of their action. I,
manifested an illiberality on the part oi
those excluded from the electoral privilege
to sink IN one common ruin, the whole
because Of their ineligbili,y.
Another objection was argued, that we
had no guarantee. that our representa-
tives would be admitted to their seats in
Congress, or the ratification would be ac.
csp.sd as a final settlement Of rsconstruc
ton This view wa pressed by those
Immediately affected by the Amend dment
With the design Of overtime wing the only
confederation Of advantage ; when ".
not only have tho proof in the admsAbr
Of Tennessee. bu, the pledged word o
majority Of Congress.
arm not OF that class disposed to view
every act Of the Radical power a. unwor
thy OF notice; We are placed 10 a silua
tion that rsndsrs US po~erless to act, oni,
TO comply With the demands Of the con
qoerers and experience has taught u,
that We have gained nothing by DELAY
but each day seems to widen the gulf ant
create new demands. We stand to-da,
exposed to every isnciful enactment ,ha,
may originate in the brains OF fanatic.
let their requirements be ever so uriust
or humliating, without the shadow ol
power to resist. And is IL wise policy &c
be left thus, exposed to negro suffrage
confscation, Standardization, DC, sim pl !
because a small portion OF orr popula
ton cannot hold office until Congress re-
moves disability. which in all probabili
ty, would be speedy.