Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-10-23
The convention..How Shall We Vote Z

/ AS there seems to be some misapprehen-
sion still, among portion of our readers, as
to the requirements of the Supplemental Bill
in relation to the number of votes polled to
authorize the assembly OF a State Convention,
we return to the subject again to-day, and we
hope to be able to place the matter in so plain
light rs to dissipate all doubt upon the
question.
The great error into which many have fal-
len is that the Supplemental Bill requires
majority of tile registered votes to be cast in
tfaror of Contention. This is not the case.
The requirements of the law are that ma
jority of the registered votes shall be cast on
the question of holding Conrentio'-either
for or against 1t. Let US illustrate this point
by reference to the registry returns of the
State. In round numbers there are in the
State one hundred and eighty-eight thousand
voters. The law requires that majority Of
these registered voters shall cast their ballots
either for or against Conventon-in the
language of the act itself, upon the question
of holding Convention, A majority Of one
hundred and eighty-eight thousand would be
ninety-four thousand and one.
Now if 47.0Ol votes be cast for Conven-
ton, and 47,OOO votes be cast against Con-
vention, under the terms of the act, the Con-
vention would be called. Thus we perceive
that tsao roteS ouer ne.fourth Of the 4ohote
number registered can call Convention, pro
utded one. fourth Of the registered voters shall
cast their ballots for or against ii, making,
when both those for and against are added
together, a majority Of registered voters. :.
Another illustration. Suppose there should
be eighty thousand votes cast for Conven-
ton, and fourteen thousand and one are cast
against it, the question would be carried Or
if fifty thousand should vote for it and forty
four thousand aud one against it, the same
result would follow. In both Of the cases as
sumed,:if the vote against the Convention
had not been cast, tile measure acould be lost.
Even if the Radicals should succeed in bring
ing to the polls and voting the full number
of registered negroes, and enough whites to
make up the ninety-four thousand votes in
taror of Convention. it would be lost unless
some one of those opposed to thc measure
should imprudenty vote against it. in one
case forty-seven thousand and one votes in
favor may, by the aid of forty-seven thousand
cast against it, the Convention question ;
in the other, ninety. four thousand cast in its
favor would fail unless some single person op'
posed 10 the Convention should vote againstit.
If, then, those who oppose the Convention
shall refuse to make any endorsement upon
their ballots, either for or against a Conven-
tion, tie Radicals will have to poll 4,OOl
votes, or a majority of the aoholc numJer reg
istered in order to secure the call Of that body.
Unless, then, the opponents Of the Convcn-
ton were certain that they could poll ma
iority. of registered voters-at least 81 ,O0l
votes against the Convention-ercry ballot
,utich Mey cast against C Contention ,ciH aid
| the Radicals in securing ats Conrocation.
We do not believe that it would be SAFE
wise or prudent for the Conservatives to SO
into this contest with the hope Of defeating
the: Convention upon squar, vote for OF
against it. If We should fail to secure MA,
icri;y against it, VIC insure its success. Or
The other hand, if We refuse to voto either
way on the question Of hclilnga Convention
we compel the Radicals to bring to the poll:
every negro voter who has registered, anc
abnlt one thousand whi:es, ali oi whom mus
endorse on their ha'lvls lur" VI against ;
Convention" Tie Radicals arc required IL
cast over ninety four thousand votes 10 secure
= Convention, if those who oppose it do nc
vote at all On the question.
The Supplemental Bill requires two con
carrcnt lnajorities in oder To give vitality t
the plan oi reconstruction which the l,adical
desire to enforce upon tEe South. FIRE
THERE MIST IL; MAJORITY OF THE REGIS
TERED VOTES cas-, upon The question Of hold
ing Convention SECOND: q mJority o
ihe cotss cast mnSt be Mrown in iaror Of {
Coureatioa. II either Of these requirement
fail The ConYenlion is defeated.
The proper plan for the Conservatives t.
pursue is too plain. to admit Of argument
IL is to abstain tinm r0ting either acay OF
"thc question Of holding Convention" Thi
Course does not prevent theIl in those dis
trcts where There is a chance of electng eoot
ard true men to vote for such If They dcslr
to do 50. Doting for dciegaees alone canno
possibly aid the Radical party. In man
counties arrangements can be made with tn
conventionisis themselves which will aid
in defeating that party. Every Radical vot
which goes into the ballot box rithom an en-
dOrsc,uen, for or dgainct q Contention, ,
equiraleM 10 q cote against ii. But our friend
in the different counties will lie able 10 man
age this matter without f1:lher discussion
by US.
In conclusion, We again urge ogr friends L
abstain entirely from voting On the queslio
nf holding a Convention" Let the Radical
decide that question for themselves.-Chron
Gle Il Sentinel.