Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-18
The Amnesty.

SURVIVE.
The Amnesty.
On the first page of our paper of this week,
will be found, in full, the late Amnesty Proclama-
tion of President JOHNSON. 1t does not announce
that universal amnesty which would bo of such
incalculable benefit to the South, but very much
enlarges tho fourteen classes named in the proca-
nation of May 1865. And the fact which gives-
or may give-force and effect to tho snid procla-
nation is this that Immediately in advance Of
this proclamation, tho President issued another to
tho military authorities requiring them to abstain
from interference with Courts Of Law. He has
solomnly guaranteed the independence of the
District Courts, and promised to use the power of
the Government to maintain their integrity. So,
of course, those debarred the right of suffrage by
act of Congress but pardoned by the President
may now test their cases before tho Judicial, tr-
bunaa, and, if successful in their suits, prepare
to exercise tho rights of citizenship. And, of
course, before the President car issue any order,
which shall be effective for the rc-opcuing of.tho
registry lists that the lately pardoned may regis
ter, this question should bo carried beforo tho
Courts, and their judgment obtained thereupon.
N this important matter there is certainly no
time to be lost, and assuredly parties interested
will not be slow in having tho question decided.
IT the Courts decide in favor of the dsfranchised,
the President is pledged to uphold their decision,
however much Congress may defy it.
This attempt on the part Of Congress to exclude
from suffrage an immense majority of the best
people of tho South, Including altogether whito
citizens of intelligence property and social weight,
is the most unwarrantable scheme Of parti.Gr un-
scrupulousness which modern history will record.
BJ it worthless dcmagogucs hope to fill their
pockets with tho taxes imposed on honest indus
try. This however, does not concern us, nor any
respectable class of the people, SO much as the
attcIup; by these corrupt schemes to delude tho
poor ard ignorant negroes into the support Of the
class which, Of all others, is the least able and
the least inclined to promote their welfare and
advancement. IF they should succeed. in their
aim, and by such means, every philanthropist will
st.nd aghast at the consequences. 1t cannot be
expected that those of our ci,izers who command
all the trado and business Of tho country, who
control labor and capital, and who have ut their
disposal all the social fuences upon which The
welfare OF every citizen depends far more than
upon tho exercise of political rights, will suffer
themselves to be excluded without just and legal
cause from all political privileges, all participa.
ton in the government which is to bc supported
by their contributions, and regard with kindly
feelings those who are instrumental in cfecting
thoir disfranchisement.
What can mercenary and selfish demagogues
who seek to disfranchise wealthy and intelligent
Southern white men, and to use the negroes for
their cwr purposes, offer the latter as a compen-
,ation for tho Withdrawal Of the favor and kind
ness Of the formor? Let not tho colorcd people
imagine that these Office and contract cormorants
will ever be willing to share with them the sp6sis
of party victory, or that, even if they should
il would afford them any relief for tie loss OF ths
patronage and friendly aid Of those who command
most of the honest, industrial employmentI of
the community.
Let the Radicals, as we'll those in our midst az
those further North, give the smallest practical
proof Of evon disposition to aid tho freedmels
and W, might regard with sOmo indulgence the
inlatuatiou of the latter in looking to them rs
frionds and listening to their counsel. 1t i. true
that these Radculs profess rnhounded devotion
to the political rights and freedom of the blacks,
because they need their votes. But with The OBJ
tanning of these votes their kindness ends. Can
not the freedmen live, prosper and grow fat;
educs;o aud cothc their children get work, aud
secure attendance when sick, and be decsnty
buried nftcr DEATH all through the exercise of
their Invaluable right of sr' age? They ask for
bread he :. tho bal' They ask for work;
they are told /, ..,end caucus or join Loyal
League.
Thus it is proposed to reduce this class to
condition of degradation, poverty and misery,
which at the same time that it aliepates from
them the good feeling and favor Of tho respecta-
bio class Of the white people, will render them
the absolute slaves of Radical demsgogue,.
To aave ourselves, the freedmen, and society
generally, from the consequences of this debase-
ment, it becomes duty Of humanity and philan-
thropy for our good citizens to exert every facu-
ty, employ every energy, and spare no sacrifice,
to circumvont tho design, covertly iudulged in
against social pence and ordcr One of the means
which must bo employed to thi, end is vigorous
and un,ring protest against, and lawful resistance
to, the attempted exclusion from political rights
of more than half of the respectable, intelligent,
honest aud industrious portion Of the community.
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