The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-07-28
Phases In tho Process Of ssuthern Recon-
structioa.

Phases In tho Process Of ssuthern Recon-
structioa.
Our kilograms from Columbia, South Caro-
lima, inform US that the State Republican Con-
vention assembled there had chosen negro
vice president and negro secretary for that
body, and that the former was actually presid-
ing over the Convention. The colored citizens
of African descent are advancing rapidly to
power, and they seem to be fully conscious OF
the position they occupy, as, for example. in
the case Of this negro presiding officer, who
haughtily told white delegate that resigned
because he could not subscribe to the platform
adopted, that g he was glad to accept it (the
resignation) as he did not want Judas among
them" How strikingly this incident shows
the extraordinary revolution that has taken
place in the South, and particularly in this
arstoeratio capital of the proud State of South
Carolinas Who could have dreamed few
years ago of negro presiding over State
Convention at Columbias Who could have
imagined that within 80 short time man Of
the slave race would preside over and address
in such q manner the white master race?
The negroes, under the guidance Of few OF
their own people more intelligent than the rest,
and the manipulation of white radicals, have
become ambitious, and are likely to play an
important part in reconstruction as we'll as in
the politics of the country for the next few
years. In three Of the Southern States, Louisi-
ana, Mississippi and South Carolina, they are
more numerous than the whites; at least they
will have more votes. 1t is also not improba-
BILE that in nearly all the rebel States they
will have a majority in consequence of the
apathy or wilful abstention of the whites in
not registering. Admitting this to be the case,
several interesting questions arise as to the
cause and consequences of such state Of
things.
First, then, as to the cause. We think it may
be found chiefly in the white people feeling
uncertain about the course they should take,
and in being timidly cautious about making q
mistake and thus hindering their restoration.
There are undoubtedly few violent rebels
who, in their recklessness and hatred to their
couquerors, would throw distractions in the
way Of reconstruction; and there are others so
broken down by the war that they have be-
come suAen and Indifferent as to the fate Of
their country. But the mass Of the people,
with nearly all the leading rebels, and rarticu-
larry those of the army, desire to help forward
the work of restoration. They, however
for the most part do not know
which Is the. best course to take
whether TO register and take an active part in
the elections and conventions, or to let the
radicals and negroes together do the whole
business. They are aware that the question is
stored to the Union and to their former privi-
leges II their States become republican and
support the republican party; and they have
reason 70 fear they will be kept out should the
contrary be the case. II may be asked, then
why do they not support the radical republi.
cans. seeing they have so much at stake. It
might be better for them to do 90 in the present
crisis. But we can hardly expect q whole
community-the mass OF honest people-to
gulp down at once political dogmas and plat
forms that have been like poison to them all
their lives. We have no doubt-and, indeed,
there is ample evidence to show it-that they
will willingly lay aside or bury their own old
political notions for the sake of restoration.
Still, 1t would be unreasonable to expect them
to swallow, without wry face, all the nauseous
radical compound offered to their lips; and If
they were to swallow 1t with apparent plea
sure their honesty would be questioned. On
the whole, many Of the well meaning Southern
people think it best to let the radicals and
negroes together reconstruct the South with
out their assistance, believing that will sooner
restore the Union. They would take the other
course, however, II they thought that best
Everywhere the question is asked, Is 1t best to
register or nots Is II best to take an active
part in reconstruction or not. Such Is the
dilemma they are in. Such Ii the cause
doubtless, why many Of the whites are not
registering.
To all appearance just now the consequence
will be that the negroes, under the guidance of
the radicals of the North, will hold for . time
the balance Of political power in the South
We think the expectations Of the whites that
they would be able to control the votes of their
former slaves will not be realized 1t is quite
likely there will be several negroes elected to
Congress, and probably Senators Sumner,
Wade and Chandler may have ebony follow
citizens sitting beside them In the Senate
Chamber. When negro is chosen To preside
over State Convention In South Carolina ID Il
not reasonable to suppose several may be sent
to Congress, especially when We consider that
in many districts the negro vote is overwhelm-
ing' The Southernen probably anticipate
such result and expect reaction Of public
sentiment ct the North in consequence. This
may be the reason in part for their apathy.
But we would advise them not to calculate
too much upon . revulsion Of public feeling
here. We are going through a great political
and social revolution, and IL Is hard to say
IA L. "a