The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-06
Rumarks of Hon. e. s. Keitt.

Rcmarks OF Hon. e. S. Kcitt,
Deli, ered in the House Of Representa-
tiges Of South Carolina, on Wedaes-
day, December 19, on the JoNo,cing
preamble and resolutions, introduced
by himself:
Whereas, the changed condition of
our country, produced by the late
war, is so great as to require CORES
ponding changes in the organic law,
before the entire system of Govern
ment can be worked in harmony; and
whereas, the people of South Caro-
lima are anxious that amicable rela-
tions should be restored, as early as
possible, between all parts of the
Union, that peace, prosperity and
happiness may return to the country.
Resoioed, That the General Assem-
bly, of the State of South Carolina
respectfully applies for convention
of ali the States composing the United
States of America, (two-thirds of all
the States concurring,) to be con
vened as early as possible, in accord
ance with the fifth article of the Con-
stitntion, to fairly and fully discuss
and propose such amendments to the
Constitution as the condition of the
country imperatively requires.
Resolred, That his Excellency the
Governor be, and he is hereby, re-
quested to transmit certified copy
of the foregoing preamble and resolu-
tlons to his EXcellency the President
of the United States, with the request
that the same be transmitted by him
to Congress-; and also to transmit GER
titled copies of the same to the Go
verDors composing the several States
of the United States of America.
Mr.. SPEAKER: I rise for the pur-
pose OF speaking to the resolutions
which l have the honor to present
for the consideration and action of
this House. When the ship is out
upon the vast and the unknown seas.
the heavens are lowering with clouds
Of deep, heavy blackness, tho thun-
ders are rolling, and the lightnings
are-rendlns the skies, and the terrible
storm IS sweeping, in its wild and
maddening fury, over the vast bosom
OF the mighty ocean, stirring up her
profoundest depths, and the waves
rolling high and dashing wildly over
the deck of the ship, CONSERVATION
and terror pervades all aboard; but
the mariner, unawed, stands calm,
firm and erect, at the bow of his
ship; he draws his horoscope, takes
his latitude and departure, and brings
all safe into the haven of repose. For
five years past, the noble old ship Of
Carolina has been weathering one of
the widest and most terrific gales
that has ever swept over land or sea.
The maddenlng storm that has tagged
around her, and the wild waves that
have dashed over her deck, have
swept away all of her rigging. The
storm has lulled, the tempest has
been appeased, but the waves are still
rolling high, and mighty breakers are
ahead of us. The President of the
United States has assumed command
OF the noble old ship, and it is for
yon-her crew-to say whether You
will heed his commands, or whether
yon will let your ship drift wherever
the winds and waves may bear her.
AS for myself, my determination has
long since been made. When the
VIC hoOtiiH were CSllCIcUucGCQ,
when L was called upon by my com
handing officer to lay down my arms;
WI, when turned my back upon General
nherman vast army, in North Caro-
ma, told my brave comrades in
arms, who had been through the dark
perlls OF the fearful contest. that
there was but one thing now left to
us-we had but to go to our homes.
go to work, and restore our country
to law and order, and, if possible, to
bring her back to peace, prosperity
and happiness. This is my present
determination, and l shall spare no
effort to accomplish it. 1t is true.
that some Of the great and grand
principles which have heretofore di-
rected and controlled this great Go
vernment under which we live, have
been Jostled from their track-way,
and have gone down forever in the
fearful contest; but the President Of
the United States has given us his
word-Ee has pledged it to the whole
conntry-she has made this sacred
and solemn pledge before the civil
lied world-that it is his unfaltering