The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-06-05
Reconstruction in this State.

Reconstruction in this State.
The Richmond Examiner has an article
on political affairs in this State, from which
we extract:
Such of the people of South Carolina
as feel called on to possess political opin-
ions, at this time, are dividing themselves
into what may, perhaps, be called the Orr
and Perry parties, upon the question of
reconstruction-both agreeing in the inde-
feasibility of the Polandizing bills, but
the one counselling cooperation with
the Republicans in carrying them out (;
while the other-the followers OF Gov.
Perry-proclaim their preference for per
petual military control over the Haytian
Government with which South Carolina
must be cursed, under the practical work
ings of these acts.
It appears to us, with all Difference to
the views OF the very distine euished lead
crs of these two parties, that they are
wasting their energies on question that
has not yet arisen.
We are called on to consider very vari-
ant propositions at different stages of this
great political neutrality-suspicious. so
entirely Independent of eoch ether that
it is not only unnecessary but altogether
inexpedient to consider them together.
A man may very well take the necessa-
ry steps to insure his right of suffrage
without ever designing to exercise it. He
may resolve, also, to exercise it, without,
at this time, determining whether he will
vote for or against convention, much
less for what particular candidate be shall
cast his ballot And although conven-
tion be agreed on, he may very we'll re-.
serve the question what action he shall
take on a constitution, the provisions of
which no living man can foresee. Many
reasons conspire to commend the applica-
tion to our case Of the maxim, snake
haste slowly" and chief among them is
the very manifest reaction that is taking
place at the North. At present, the peo-
pie of the South have but one matter
connected with reconstruction to consider,
and that is the propriety of registering.
A natural Indignation at the entire
systematic disgust which every freeman
must feel at it's fagrant infractions of al
most all the rights which the world has
regarded as peculiar to our form of politi-
cal administration, and, lastly, a desire to
avoid all responsibility for the anarchy
that impends, have driven many men 20
the resolve to decline registration, and
thus formally and finally sever their con-
nectior with the defilements Of mob poll
tics.
1t is impossible to imagine moro fatal
delusion. 1t is worse-it is disgraceful
one. 1t is throwing down our arms in
the presence of the enemy. 1t is wick
ed abandoning of our friends, who have
resolved to fight with what weapons they
have, for freedom. 1t is playing into the
hands of radicalism.
Let US be admonished by the case OF
New Orleans and Washington. In the
former city, the apathy of the people had
given the absolute control of the vote OF
almost every ward to the blacks; and
nothing but the order of the President to
prolong the time of registration prevented
the contamination of the outrage.
In Washington, however, the mischief
is completed, and it is beyond the power
of any authority, as it would appear, to
save the white voters of that city from
the consequences OF their foolish resolve
to decline registry.
If this is not to be the fate of the South,
every citizen, old and young, who is quail
flied, should register, who is entitled by
leave of our masters to that privilege.
Register, and you are free to vote or not,
as you please, and have the further, the
greater freedom, as time will show, to use
your power when you desire to use it.
Refuse to register, and you can never
help yourself, your friends or your State
The time is coming, in the progress OF this
revolution, when the solid vote of the re-
spectacle people of this State may throw
on Congress the responsibility of per-
pctual military government, or practical
disfranchisement for Virginia.
When that day comes, every voice and
vote Will be needed but that is a ques-
tion of the future Suffice it for the pres.
ent to say, that without registry you are
as impotent as the dogs at your door to
strike blow for freedom here, or help
the friends who are battling for your free
dom elsewhere. Surely no demand Of
right or lronor calls for so fatal sacrifice.
REGISTRATION IN THIS STATE.-.Judge
AIdr;ob in Iottor to tho Charleston Mer-