The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-12
The Reconstruction Prospect.

We have favored the holding of Convention as
authorized by Congress- and of doing all that could
fairly and honoraby be done to effect reconstruction
and restore the State to civil government, but
plainly that almost death-blov has been given
the movement by many of those who profess to be it's
peculiar friends, and that the great Of the white
people being aggravated forced in opposition
by the election of negro delegates to the Conventions
the appointment of negroes to public offices, and the
forcing of negroes the Juries by military orders
With these occurrences staring the white people in
the face, think might well dart straws
against the wind to advise them to go forward and
endorse the reconstruction measures of Congress
The white people Of the South las well of the
North do not intend to voluntarily consent to be
governed by the eoored people, and every time
colored man is put the Jury into any Office the
of reconstruction and the negro himself is in
jurcd Those who push negroes forward in that way
not only Obsruct reconstruction but actually do the
negro much harm and cause opposition him from
those who would be kindly disposed if he were to
remain in his proper sphere
There are but few white men who are not at heart
opposed to universal negro suffrage and we do not
believe that any large number will endorse it.
Qualified suffrage might a majority, and
settlement of the questions issue effected, but
satisfied that the whites will consent to put
themselves and their property at the mercy of an
Ignorant, irresponsible multitude.
As earnest friend of reconstruction make
plain statement of what VIC think are the views of
the white people of this State and the South We
do not believe that the whites of the South want
slavery re-establishcd-in fact the vast majority
would oppose it and vote against it-but we know
there is a deep seated opposition to negro rule in
any respect.
We still of the opinion that State Convention
should be held, and effort made to effect
promise of conflicting opinions and restore and main
tain good feeling between the races and afford
sary protection to all classes. We sorry to hear
that many intend to vote against Convention and
greet that public meeting in Wayne county adopted
n resolution not to vote OH the question at all.
The refusal to hold Convention will result in harm
to us later. 1t should be remembered that
both Houses of the present Congress hold power till
the 4th of March, 1869, and the U. S. Senate is Re-
publican beyond all contingency until 1871 If the
Republican majority in Congress will take the back
track and modify their previous action, there would
lieve they will do and therefore we ought to hold
the Convention and definitely settle the question
10 the wishes of majority OF the people of the State
Upon the whole conclude that the prospect for
reconstruction under the Acts of Congress is bad
the colOred people may endorse those Acts. but we
think the main portion Of the white people have de-
termined not to do so. Gen. Sckles and Gen. Candy
have rendered the propositions of Congress unpopu-
lar by their unimely and unnecessary orders putting
negroes on hc jury and into other offices.