The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-09-07
SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 7, 1867.

1861.
accept them? Can they promise us peace
Look at Tennessee and learn what kind of
peace we are to have. Can they promise us an
acceptable State Constitutional that will
not be ntcrfcrcd with by Congress? Look at
Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky-tbrcc "loyal"
sovereign Statcs-which are to be put on trial
before Star Chamber Committee, on the
charge of not having Republican Constitutions.
Can they promise restoration of the Union
The radical rulers expressly declare that their
measures are not "fnalitics." Can they prom
Use, even that doubtful good representation in
the Congress of the United States? I refer
you to kentucky, whose Representatives arc
ANONYMOUSLY rejected, because rebels rotcd for
Mcm :! But suppose that the State accepts the
terms proposed by the Military Bills that she
agrees to the permanent and total exclusion
from her councils of the intellect the expert
cncc, the wisdom and the patriotism, which, in
times past. gave her lustrc; that instead of
thcscc noble qualities and virtues, she commits
her political dcstinics to the guidance Of igno-
| rance. incxpcricncc, folly and Radcalism: that
she adopts Constitution DISTINGUISHING forever
the men who, in obcying her command to de-
lcnd her, believed that they were serving God !;
that she
"Buys-.ignoninious pnrchnsc-short rcposc,
With dying curses md the groans OF those
That served and loved and put in her their trust"
Suppose She does al these things, and that
the Radicals then graciously permit her to send
her representatives to Washington, from what
class will she select the men who are to fill the
places once honorcd by Lowndes, Calhoun,
NlcDuilie, Preston, Chcycs, EIaync, Hugcr and
their glorious compccrs The same body which
has shown such wisdom and magnanimity in
framing these Reconstruction Acts that arc to
bring so many blessings in their train, gives
you the answer IN the following Act of Con
| ssrcss:
81. Hereafter any person elected or appoint
cd to &ny office of power or profit under the
Government OF the United States, either in the
civil, military or naval departments of the pub
! lic service, excepting the President Of the
United States, shall before entering upon the
duties OF such Office, and before being entitled
to any OF the salary or other cmolumcnts there
Of, take and subscribe the following oath: Il
do solcnlnly swear, that have never yclunta-
rily borne arms against the United States since
have been citizen thereof that 1 have
voluntarily given no aid, countcnancc, counsel
or encouragement to persons engaged in armed
hostility thereto; that have neither sought
nor acceptesllAsapor attempted to exercise, the
fsfunctiollRDi8 any n8ice ceslwhnteyef, under any
autnorityeFF pretended authority In hostility to
the United States that have not yielded
voluntary support to any pretended Govern
ment. authority, power or Constitution within
the United States, hostile or inmical thereto
And | do further swear, that to the best Of my
knowledge and ability. Will support and de-
fcnd the Constitution OF the United States
against all enemies, foreign and domestic that
Will bear true faith and allegiance to the
same that take this obligation freely, with
out any mental reservation or purpose of" eva
sion and that will well and faithfully dis
charge the duties Of the Office on which am
about to cntcr-so help Inc Godv And any
person who shall falsely take the said oath
shall be guilty fpcrjury, and OH conviction,
IN addition to the penalties now prescribed for
tha; ocncc, shall be deprived Of his office, and
rendered incapable of ever after holding any
Office or place under the United Statcs''
Is representation in Congress so very dcsira-
die that we should send men there who can
take that oath, rather than that we should re-
main unrcprcscntcd longer? Can the people
Of the State trust those who could or who
would take it? For Inc honor of our State
1 should prefer that she should not be repre-
sented in the halls of Congress until her dele
gates can cnier them as FREQ mon; represent
ing sovereign Sss;s, with all her dignity,
equality and rights unimpaired." When that
day comes there may be a restoration of the
Union in fact as well as in theory; when
North and South, forgiving the past, even if
they cannot forget it, may meet as equals OH
some common ground, where the honor, the
rights and the feelings of both can be recogni-
zcd and respected But until that day does
come, in the words Of Patrick Horny, Cen
tlemcn may cry pcacc' peace! but there is no
Pcocc!"
1t is scarcely necessary for me to say that,
entertaining the views | have expressed,
think it far preferable the State should remain
in its present condition, under military rule,
than that ii should give its sanction to meas
urcs which we believe to be illegal, unconstit,l-
icnal and runous. 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 VIC 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 irresponsible and unlicensed power, so sure
ly will the North lose its liberties Ruin to
tbn Snutl will roo., m, thc North nnI ~ urc