The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-28
THE ISSUE BEFORE Us.

THE ISSUE BEFORE Us.
July is coming on apacc; and with it will
come registration, the first great practical step
toward political reconstruction. The election
that is to follow, and likewise also tho Convcn-
tion that is to give us o new State Constitution
will be very much influenced by the course and
conduct Of our people in tho discharge Of this
first prescribed duty, viz: Registration. True,
the present moment ia critical. Complications
not anticipated few weeks ago, have arisen
within tho past few days, which mny result in
seriously retarding the peaceful, speedy, and ut
least moderately satisfactory solution Of tho
vcxcd question that has been throwing blight
ing influence upon our industry and actiyi-
ty, our private and our social life, and all but
threatened the very extinction Of our future po-
liticnl existence. Reconstruction was going on
| smoothly, all over the South, in accordance
with the programme laid down by Congress;
when suddenly wo find marked difference of
opinion rs to tho meaning Of this Act, in the
construction Of the President and tho several
officers to whom ho Ind delegated its execution.
This difference is in itself perhaps scarcely suf
6cient 10 cause irrcconciiable alienation; but,
unfortunately, IL comes close 10 the time set
apart for an eItrn session of Congress under GER
tain contingencies. Congress. il is now all but
certain, will meet in the course of next month;
and once this question of reconstruction is
again before them II is impossible 10 say what
further experiments they may be inclined to
make, what pains and penalties 10 infiot, nor
when VIC shall be emancipated from our pres
ent disabilities.
This last mentioned difficulty between Con-
gross and the President has arisen through no
fault of ours; and in order to avoid the conse-
quences We 80 much dcprecaie, wo should ad-
dress ourselves earnestly and with full purpose
TO proper discharge Of tho duties assigned US;
and wo cannot but hope and believe that if
Congress- shall find us in good faith carrying
out tho programme they marked out for us at
their last session, they will carefully consider,
and be slow 10 undo their own handiwork that
ia found to fulfil the purpose intended There
is the moro reason, therefore now, for our
taking an active part in this grent drama.
From what wo have heard we believe there
are few who openly profess that they do not
intend TO register. But wo fear there arc
many who, from various motives, will fail to
avail themselves Of this privilege. There can
be no serious argument adduced in favor of
non.registration. There is not single news
paper in oil the South, as far as wo know,
(and VIC exchange with nearly the entire
Southern. press) TINT counsels such a course.
Ex-Governor PERRY, who ranks with the fore
most Of those who are opposed 10 tho Military
Reconstruction Act, nevertheless strenuously
advises registration by all who are not disfran-
chised. Still there are many who will not reg
lister from mere apathy. They may be persons
who never took much interest in political mat
ters, and thus will be at no loss to find excuses
for their conduct, satisfactory 10 themselves at
least. Some disingenuously will plead want
of time, and 30 there will be excuses Of eycry
grade and character. Ono reason for non.
compliance, we fear, although perhaps not
"nan arDressed. 10 o eiinsing to old prejudices.
"What! shall l bemesn mysslf. 60 to register
with negro to sit in judgment over my quail
hcations, then 90 the polls and cast my vote
alongside OF my iato slave. and then perhaps
alt in the Convention and tho Legislature side
rather have nothing more 10 do with politics
as long as live"
This is all wrong, Such language Is not in
dicative Of an absence Of ambition, as we are
speeiously asked TO believe. II Is morbid dis
content, rebellion against fate, and therefore
unmanly. The example Of General LONG
srRxxr and Of many Of his fellow soldiers,
shows more Of true manhood. To face danger
at the cannon's mouth, brarely, and with SOL
dierly fortitude, is much less difficult, than to
bear defeat with dignity and heroic resisna-
tion. Ignorant and unedueated soldiers are
found in every nation and in every army who
will stand a bsyonot charge, whilo nor HArs1-
BAL nor NAPOLEON were equal to the last
named ordeal. Far greater moral courage was
required 10 take the course Of General I.oso-
STREET, than that taken by Mossrs. B.,H HILL,
3. F. PsRRY, and others Who advocate aeon.
tinued resistance to the deorees Of fate.
Again, no one has Q right wilfully 70 forfeit
his franchise, simply becanse he /, himself do.
void Of political ambition. Voting is duty
no loss than privilege. "No man lireth to
himself" However,. great his own personal
Indifference, no man has right TO endangor
the interests Of society; and this he can be
shown to be guilty of at this time, by fsiling to
aTail himself Of every political right or privi-
lege within his reach. Most Of our citizens,
especially the more intelligent aud educated,
have already divested themselves Of prejudics
against the colored race and ore fully pre-
pared by State ,enaetments, 10 accord them all
those civil and political rights, already theirs
BY virtue OF Congressional legislation. II a!
There are sorde among US, whose 6ourse, we
confess, is not clear 70 us. d There can, ID re-
aiity. hore in the South be only choice be-
tween wee, two parties, those vhS accept the Com