The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-04

hostility to the United States; that [
have not yielded voluntary support to
any pretended Government, authority,
power or constitution within the United
States, hostile or inimical thereto. And
[ do further swear, that to the best of my
knowledge and ability, I will support and
defend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and do
mestic; that I will bear true faith and al
legiance to the same; that [ take this OBJ
legation freely, without any mental rcsor-
walton or purpose of evasion; and that I
will we'll and faithfully discharge the
duties of the cfice on which am about
to cnter-so help me God!' And any
person who shall falsely take the said
oath shall be guilty of perjury, and on
conviction, in addition to the penalties
now prescribed for that offence, shall be
deprived OF his office, and rendered inca
pable of ever after holding any Office or
place uEder the United Statca.''
Is representation in Congress so very
desirable, that we should send men there
who can take that oath, rather than that
we should remain unreprcsented longer?
Can the people of tho State trust those
who could or would take It? For the
honor of our State, I should prefer that
she should not be represented in the halls
of Congress until her delegates can enter
them as free men, representing sovcr-
egn State, with all her "dignity, equality
and rights unimpaired" When that day
comes, there may be restoration of the
Union in fact, as we'll as theory; when
North and South, forgiving the past, even
if they cannot forget it, may meet as
equals on some common ground, where
the honor the rights and the feelings OF
both can be recognized and respected.
But until the-day does come, in the words
of Patrick Henry, "Gentlemen may cry
peace! peace but there is no peace"
1t is scarcely necessary for me to say
that, entertaining the views [ have eX-
pressed, / think it far preferable the State
should remain in its present condition,
under military rule, than that it should
give it's sanction to measures which we
believe to be illegal, unconstitutional and
ruinous 1t is my honest and firm belief,
that the voluntary acceptance of these
measures by our people would surely
bring, not only to the South, but to the
whole country, evils far greater than any
we have yet suffered. The North, flushed
with success, and drunk with power, may
not be able to realize this fact; but as
surely as the South falls victim TO ire
sponsible unlicensed power, so surely will
the North lose its liberties. Ruin to the
South will react on the North, and if we
are crushed into the dust, the Northern
people will see but the foreshadowing of
their own certain doom. Recognize, as an
established principle, the right of any po-
litcal party that may be in the ascen-
dancy to fix upon all who differ with
them laws unauthorized by the Constitu-
ton of the United States, and we shall
begin that downward career which will
lead us steadily through confusion, an
archy and blood, to the certain overthrow
of republican institutions and free gov
ernment. Believing this, regard it as
the duty Of every man, in the exercise of
the right accorded to all by these military
bills, to oppose their adoption by all law
full means. AS the people have the privi
lcgc, then, of expressing either assent or
dissent to question, advise them. earn
estly, to record the latter as fully and
solemnly as possible. Let erery man reg
lister, and cast his uotc against the conuen-
ton, since the question will be made on
that issue.
These, gentlcmen,. are the conclusions
to which I have been brought by the
most anxious consideration of those "im-
portant matters soon to be submitted to
the people of the State" They have been
laid before you at greater length than l
intended, but it seemed to me best to let
YOU have my premises, as well rs my con-
cusions, in order that yon might judge OF
the correctness of both. | can only say
that l have discussed this momcntous
question with the single desire to arrive
at the truth, and hope that it has at
least been discussed in q temperate and
dispassionatc spirit. Let me bring one
other subject, suggested by your letter,
to your consideration, and l shall tax
your patience no farther.
You say, truly, that I, as well as your
selves, "havo hoped and strivcn for entire
harmony of action among our people"
1t has been my most earnest desire to Sc
cure this harmony, as it has been my con-
slant effort to aliay excitement, and to
counsel obedience to the laws This has
been the prevailing sentiment among our
people, and if it fails of its object, it will
not be our fault.
AS it is of the last consequence to main
tain the same amicable relations which
have heretofore existed between the
whites and the blacks, I cannot too
strongly rciterate my counsel, that all
classes should cultivate harmony and cX-
crcise forbearance. Let our people re-
member that the negroes have, as a gen
cral rule, behaved admirably, and that nj 1t
thcv arc in no manner responsible for the
nrcscnt condition of affairs. Should they,
in the future, be mislcd by wicked or de-