The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-09-04
GREENvILLE. SOUTH CAROLINA SEPTEMBER 1867.

measures by. our ,peopts would surely bring,
not only " Tho Sohth, but TO tho whole coun-
try, evils far greater than any we have yet
suffered. Tho North, flushed with success,
and drunk with power, may not bo ablo to rc-
niire this fact; but as surely as the South falls
a victim to irresponsible and unliccnoed power,
SO surely will the North lose It's libcrties.-
Ruin TO the South will ro>act on the North,
and II wo are crushed into the dust, the North
orn people will 500 but tho foreshadowing OF
their own certain doom. Recognise, rs an es-
tabiishod principle, tho right Of any political
party that may DO in tho ascondancy to fix
upon all who differ with them laws unauthor.
lied by tho Consultation of the United Statos.
and NO shall begin that downward carccr
which win lead us steadily through confusion,
anarchy and blood, to tho certain overthrow
of republican institutions and froe govern
mont. Believing this, regard II ak tho duty
of every man, In tho exercise of tho right ac>
corded 70 abby those military bills, to oppose
their adoption by all lawful means. As tho
pcoplo have tho privilege, then, Of expressing
either assent or dissent on this question, ad-
vise them, earnestly, TO record tho lattor as
fully and solemnly as possible. Letevery man
regisfer, and cast HE cote againa yse eospSr-
fion, since the question viii bo made on that
issue. &c.. e
These, gcntlcmen, are tho conclusions t.
which have becn brought BY the most anx-
ious consideration Of those " important matters
soon to be submitted to the people Of tho
State" They havo been laid before you a.
greater length than intended, but II seemed
TO me best to let you have my premises, as
woll rs my conclusions, in order that you
might judge Of the correctness Of both. I
can only say that havo discussed this mo-
mentous question with the single dcsirc to ar
rive at tho truth, and hope that il has Mt
least been discussed in n temperate and dispas-
sionate spirit Let me bring ono other sub
ject suggested by your letter, to your conside-
ration, and shall tax your patience no far
thor. ...
You say, truly, that I, az Soll as yourselves,
"have hoped and striven for entire harmony
Of action among our people," II has boon my
most earnest desire to secure this harmony, rs
II has been my constant effort to allay excite
ment, and to counsel obedience TO tho laws
This has boon the prevailing sentiment among
our people, and IL II fails of its object, Il will
not be our fault
AS 1t Is OF the last consequence to maintain
the Same amicable relations which have here-
tofore existed between the whites and tho
blacks, cannot too strongly reiterato my
counsel, that all classes should cultivate har-
mopy and exercise forboarance. Let our peo-
pie remember that tho negroes have, rs n gen
cral rule, behaved admirably, aud that they
arc in no manner responsible for the present
condition Of affairs. Should they, in tho fu-
turo, be fnisled by wicked or designing men,
letus consider how ignorant they necessarily
ARC, and lot US, only tho more, try to convince
them that wo are their best friends. Deal
with them with perfect justice, aud thus show
that you wish to promote their advancement
and enlightenment. Do this, and the negroes
win not only learn to trust you, but thcy will
soon appreciate the fact so evident to us, tAgt
,ce can do Uitloat tleH. far better than they ca.
do pithom ns. -. -. o., .... -,
On late public occasion, where many Of
you were present, Expressed my perfect will
lingness to SEQ impartial suffrage established
at tho South, and bslievo that this opinion p
entertained, not only by large majority oi
tho intelligent and reaooting whites, but also
of the same class among tho blacks. doprc-
cate universal suffrage, not only on general
principles, but especially in the case before rs
because deny the right of Congress to Pre-.
scribe tho rnioS Of :Sititepsbip IN the states.-
Tho Supreme Court has decided that q negrc
is not . citizen of tho Upitod States, and esn.
gress panpot reverse that decision by an ASf
Tho States, however, are competent 70 rod 70,
citinepship on tho negro, and think Il Is IN,
part Of wisdom that such action shuuId be Ia
ken by tho Southern states. Wo have reeog
nizod tho freedom Of tho blacks, ard, hay'
placed this fact beyond all probability o
doubt, denial or recall. Let us recognise il
the same frank manner, and as fully, thci
political rights also. For myself comics
that ara perfectly willing 70. SEQ q ooDstitu
tion adopted by our State, comforting the elec
| tive franchise on the negro, on precisely tn
same terms as !, Is to bo exercised by tn
white man, guarding against the abuse Of thi
privilege by establishing slight cducationa
and property qualifications for all classes.
have thus, gentlemen, endeavorcd to com
ply, as fully as possible, with the request con
veyed In your letter. A sense Of duty to tn
State, and an eminent desire to show my res
pect to my fellow citizens, from whom I hav
received so many marks Of kindness and con
idonce, are the only motives which coul
have iBduoed me 10 take any part In public Al
fairs. If tho crude viows thrown out for you
consideration, are instrumental in arousih