The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-03

see the questions at issue between us and Congress
definitely settled, and peace and prosperity re-
stored TO our people andI believe the terms offer
ed are the midest we will ever get. Others may
laugh at confiscntion, 1 do not. The party in pow
er threaten itEthey have steadily progressed from
bad to worse, and they can just as easily accom-
plish that PURPOSE, as others that they have Sec-
ted. I'd. 1 shall feel it my duty to vote for the
best men can select as delegates to the Conven-
ton, and influence. as far as I can, black and
white, to do so.
This is the view which; it seems to me, every
white man should take IF the matter. Naturally,
the freedmen are our friends, and We can take
hold of them; make them allies, and as we have
elevated them as slaves from barbarism to civliza-
tion and christianity, so can We teach them to be
useful, pcaceable and good citizens. We should,
therefore, put ourselves in close communication
with the military authorities and Freedmens Btu
reau, explain to them that ii is not our purpose to
dupe the freedmen, nor to prevent their voting
but to aid them in casting an intelligent vote; to
secure their aid in electing such men to the Con-
yention as ore best fitted to act for their good and
ours. and we will receive their hearty cooperation
Next, there are intelligent freedmen in every neigh
borhood, who are fully acquainted with the preju-
dices, wants, purposes and desires of their breth
ren They, if approached In the proper manner,
will act with US cordially atid fully, and influence
their own people to do so. With these we can
consult with perfect self-respect, and it is our
duty to do so.
Suppose we do not register and vote: and sup
pose we do not thus treat and consult the freed
men. The Convention will nevertheless be held
the freedmen and some whites, designing ones it
may be, will register, vote and elect members.
And while we might, by taking the proper steps,
have IN able and harmonious Convention, and Sc
cure the adoption of wise Constitution, we may,
by standing aloof, suffer the freedmen to be pois-
ened against us, the Convention to be filled up
with imported Brownlow's and Hunnicutts, and
all the horrors of test oahs, disfranchis and
prescription, as practised in Tennessee and Mis-
souri,, enforced in our now pcdceful State. We are
united and harmonious people, and the grave
responsibility rests upon every citizen to use his
endeavots to keep US so.
We cannot fight; 1t Is unmanly 10 grumoie anu
scold. We can fold cur arms in sullen despair,
and doggedly challenge fate to do its worst, but
these will not better our condition. Sensible men
act upon facts as they find them, und %Se shesld
caRdidy openly and manfully inquire what we
can do to remedy the evils of our situation.
We have been treated more leniently than histo-
rs records of any other people who were so com
pletely crushed as we are. Under all the changes
of the Roman, French and British governments
prescription universal, slaughter and confscation
we're the inevitable results Yet those people qui
etly adapt. themselves to the new order Of things
became accusl.ned to it in q few years, and pros
pered. We must learn to reconcile ourselves t
our situation. We have had no such horrors metet
out to US as were neted out to the weaker party IL
the revolutions just referred to. sour poverty
not our will consents" and let us tc, as all other:
have done who have filed that plea in history, b
warned ty the teachings ofhistory and philosophy
and concede what we have no longer the power tc
deny, and 6oiifdrm to the authority we cannot sue
fully strive against
Very sincerely your friend;
WARREN ID. KILKES.