Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-11-01
CONvRRTIoN on no CoNyKNrIoH.

CONtEHT1ON Oh NO CONVENTION. -
Whilst there existed a areasonable hope Of
our ability to control the black elennsir. in our
midst, there might be ground for . difference
of opinion as to the policy of accepting the
Congressional plan of reconstruction, psrtieu-
lailY when we were met with the threats OF
prescription and confseation in case Of r. fu-
cal But taughtby "the logic Of erents..' our
hopes of the one have been as decep,iye, ms
our fears Of Tho other will likely be groundlea..
We are met at the very threshold of recon.
structiun by the spectre of negro domino
tion-the elevation Of the poor ignornnt slnre.
tothe high seats Of legislation--the, ut3eotion
of the property and intelligence of the country
to the domination of It's isndless serfs. Tho
very first fruits of the Convention movement
present those extreme evils. bsynnd which the
future would seem to have nothing ,worse IN
store. With thie view It u.s. not singular, the
unauimty with which -ihe white people of the
South are opposing the Cohgressiohs al scheme Of
reconstruction. ,It.is true they ars voted down
in most Of the States Of the South, but still
and unpolitic legislation, which will have lis
effect upon the public. sentiment of the coun-
But whilsi there seems to be general tina.
nimity in opposing the Convention scheme
there is some difference Of opinion as 10 the
mode in which the opposition can be made most
effectual. Shall We keep away from the poles,
or attend and vote conser vative ticket nt The
same time that we refrain from voting for or
against Conve The reconstruction acts
require that majority'of tho registered vo-
tiers. vote on this question, else a Convention
caunet be held. Hence one Of the most effec'
tual modes Of defeating a Con nvention, would
he to keep away from the polls. The Same
object mil ght he attained by voting . conserve.
tive ticket, but declining to vote on the other
question. This Is the course we see recofnmen-
ded in our sister State of Georgia, in the Dis
tric,s having white majorities. Iu thit State
the whites have q ma jority of some 1000,
votes, and with proper management many do.
feat the Convention movement. With us the
question Of voting 10 one of no practical impor
tance. The holding of Convention. and its po.
1itica1 complexion. are foregone conclusions.
We subjoin the Bird Section Of the Supple
mentarY act which provides for ascertanihg
the popular will on the Convention question,
SEQ. 2. And 6ei further. enacted, That at
said election the registered voters of each
Shall vote or against convention to form \
-constitution therefor under this act. Those,
voting in favor Of such a convention shall
have written or printed on the ballots by which
the vote for delegates. ss AFORESAID, the words
"For Convention" and those voting against
such "a convention shall have written or -prin-
tsdon such ballots the words "Againet q Con-;
vention." The persons appointed 70 superin-
tend said election, and to- make return Of The
votes given thereat, as hers in provided, shall
count and make return Of the votea given; for
and againsta convention and the compian-
ding general TO whom the same shall bave been
returned shall ascertain and declare the total
vote 10 such Stste for and agsinst convention
II a majority of the votes given on that ques-
ton shall be for convention. then such con-
vention shall be held. as hereinafter provided (
but if majority of said votes shalt be against
n convention, then: no such = convention shall
be held under this act: Provided That suoh
convention shall not be held unless a majority
of all such registered, voters shall have voted
Oh the quealion of holding such convention