The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-28

city, 1 take this method of expressing
my views on the subjects discussed
on that occasion. It is with some
reluctance that I express these views,
as do not concur in the policy ad-
vocated by the meeting. Is it de-
sirable that the people of the State
should take any action looking to a
restoration of civil government at
present? I think not; and for these
reasons:
The State is either n member of
the Federal Union, or it is not. If a
member, then not only is it q work
of supererogation for her to ask ad-
mission to the Union, but she is, by
the Constitution of the United States,
guaranteed republican form of Go
vernment, and she has the right to
administer her Government under
such a constitution and by such laws
as she chooses. But if she is, on the
contrary, not member of the Union,
she must be regarded either as Ter
ritory, or as q conquered province.
In either condition, the United States
authorities are charged with the duty
of providing a proper Government
for her, and I think the true policy
Of the State is to remain passive until
such Government is given to her, or
is forced upon her. If the course
indicated by the meeting here is fol-
lowed by the State, what will be the
result? Will it lead to the restora-
tion of the Union as it existed, and
to the re-establishment of the consti-
tuition and laws of this State? I do not
think that such will be the case. To
restore the State to the Union by
the plan contemplated in the resolu-
tions adopted by the meeting here. it
will be necessary to call a convention
of the State. That a convention,
chosen as that will be, will represent
the wishes of the people of the State,
is an impossibility. But passing over
this grave objection, there remains
the still graver one as to the adop-
ton Of constitution. Are the peo-
pie of the State willing, by the adop-
ton Of q new and totally different
constitution, to ignore all the teach
ings of the past, to subvert the whole
order of society, to change, in mo-
ment, its whole organization, and, in
a word, to commit (if the expression
may be used) political suicide? Yet
this is the inevitable tendency of the
course recommended b., the meeting.
No one, for moment, supposes that
the State will be admitted into the
Union with it's present constitution.
To gain admission. the State must
come with O constitution represent
ing, not the views epd interests of the
people of South Carolina, but those
of Massachusetts. It may be urged
that the State must come with such
q constitution, o1'-.ot come at all. If
such is the fact, then let her not come
at all. The United States Govern
ment will hold the country, as it now
does, by military occupation; its
troops will be present to inaugurate
and enforce the new system of labor
decreed by the President of the
United States, and the people, though
conquered, will not have the addi-
tional humiliation and reproach which
they would bring upon themselves,
if they consent to destroy their own
constitution, which was beQueathed
w ehOu ny tuClI ldIuclS.
Besides these various reasons
against the policy advocated by the
meeting, it appears to me that it is
premature for the people to move at
present. The authorities at Wash
ington have not indicated the course
they propose to pursue towards the
State, nor have they manifested
great zeal in the restoration of that
Union for which they have profess
edly been fighting for the last four
years. They have not asked the
State to return TO the Union, nor
have they announced the terms upon
which it can do so. When they have
done these things, it will be time
enough for the State to take counsel
how to act.
I recommend, then, with all defer
ence to yourself and the gentlemen
over whom you presided the other
day, that the people should remain
perfectly quiet, taking no action
whatever in public affairs. Leave all
these matters to the United States
Government, which will, doubtless,
in good time, provide q Government
for you. Until that is done, the car
tridge-box can take the place of the
ballot-box, and the bayonet is good
su bstitute for the law. 1t is better