The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-10

| SHOACSy AO1 uAluo
you, sir, will, I trust, be found in the
exigency of our political condition,
which, in my opinion, does not ad-
NIT of delay, except at the risk of
great detriment to the public interest.
1t is well known, within the sphere
of my acquaintance, that | was, both
on the ground of principle and po-
licy, opposed to secession. 1 fore
saw and predicted it's fatal results. [
loved the Union, because it was an
inheritance from our fathers. who
had cemented it with their blood,
and because of the manifold bless
ings which it conferred upon us. 1
loved and cherished it as se,aiin2em.
for | regarded it as something sa-
cred. 1t was my pride and my glory
to know that / was an American citi-
zen, In the American Union of States,
and that the flag of my country was
a shield and protection to me even in
the remotest corners of the earth. [
could not endure the thought of dis
solving that Union and attacking
that flag. | opposed it to the extent
of my humble abilities and at the
sacrifice of most of my professional
business and of all my popularity, to
say nothing of the hazards to which
L subjected myself III daring openly
to denounce the doctrine of secession
in community where [ stood alone
in my opinion and in my opposition
to that measure. Even my worst
enemies gave me credit for sincerity,
seeing that [ encountered such fear
ful odds OF SO great q sacrifice. I was
overwhelmed for the time; but nv
predictions of the ruinous tran Of
consequences which would follow Sc
.cesslon, if resorted to, I regret to
say, have been too literally fulfilled.
1t may be supposed that L am en-
blttered III consequence of the mis-
fortunes which have befallen me by
reason OF the temporary success of
the measures of my political advcr
sarles. Not so. [ am willing to al
low them full credit for honesty and
sincerity Of purpose, though 1 think,
and the result has proven, that they
were mistaken.
| feel the deepest sympathy for nv
ruined and distressed countrymen.
and it is this sympathy, coupled with
the hope that may be able, in some
degree, to aid in the Inauguration of
q measure to ameliorate their condi-
ton, that moves me to address this
letter to your Excellency
l feel satisfied that it is impossible
for our State to be restored to her
practical relations with the Federal
Government, except in obedience to
the provisions and subject to the
terms of the recent Act of CONGRESS
on the subject
J. am satisfied, further, that delay
on the subject will only bring upon
us more severe terms.
Now, our State can be admitted to
representation in Congress, and the
exercise Of all its rights as State, on
the basis of perfect equality with
every other State, by adopting the
proposed constitutional amendment
and universal suffrage.
BY refusing to accede to these
terms. we may expect that the next
Congress will further disfrauchise the
white population, and, perhaps, ini-
tlate 4 general system of contiscation.
1t Is well known that Mr.. Stevens,
the leader OF the dominant party in
the House of Representatives, has
recently announced his purpose to
bring up this matter of confiscation.
He puts it on grounds very popular
at the North-as being necessary to
indemnify loyal citizens for their
losses by the war.
furthermore, there is danger of re-
organization, under future legislation
by Congress, of the Southern States,
by contining this work exclusively to
the colored population and the loyal
whites. Reconstruction Of our State
on this basis might be very acceptable
to the party in control of the Go
vernment at Washington, as pro-
missing them an addition to their
political strength; and their ready
acknowledgment OF such action as
legitimate, may be certainly calcu-
lated upon.
The machinery of the State Go
vernment thus IN the hands OF Il por-
tion of our people, we might expect,
as has been the case in Tennessee and
Missouri, the most searching pro-
scription of ali persons not acting in
concert with them.
l1