Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-04-26
THE QUESTION OF RECONSTRUCTION

THE QUESTION OF RECONSTRUCTION.
Whilst there seems to be much unnnimity
of sentiment at tho South. as to the propriety
of exercising all the privileges Of registration
and voting, which conceded by lllsenilta-
ry acts, there is some difference of opinion
among public Men to the mode in which
the privilege shall he exercised-whether the
people should endorse The call for Con- enton
or not. One Of the latest uttcrances on the
subject, is letter from Gov. B. +. Perry, in
which he advises every man, who is not dis
franchised to register hs name, md TO vote for
the wisest and best of the candidates 10 the
Convention, but at the same time 10 exercise
the privilege Which is allowed him of voting
against holding convention ct MI. He will
thus take proper precautions to protect his in
terests. in case the Convention is held al the
came time thnthe will contribute to maint aiming
the present military status which the writer
thinke is preferable to any change which would
grow out Of the action Of the Convention.
The prominent reason which Governor Per-
ry urges in behalf Of this course is. that any
other would be dishonorable, involving the loss
of OFF selfrespcct and the abandonment of our
principles. If this were so there could he no
doubt Of the aoundness of the advice given-
Nothing could reconcile us TO the loss Of honor:
and the attainment of oil else would be dearly
purchased at the sacrifice of principle. But is
there any loas of honor or abandonment of
principle involved here1 Were we required
to give the lie 10 our past record, by sw allow.
ing the "iron-clad OATH" or to dshonor our
selves and the memory of our slaughtered dead
by impugning the motives and repudiating
the principles which sustained us all, through
out the eventful struggle, there might be good
reason for the assertion. We are not asked
to stultify ourselves, however. We find onr-
eelves in changed condition. and are required
to conform to our new relations We are
conquered people. and nre made 10 receive our
law from the conqueror. The situation may
be humiliating, and the course which policy
dictates may be painful but it is the part of
true wisdom to submit to whut is inevitable.
and to make the best of our circumstances
The Governor himself advised the adoption OF
the amendment to the Constitution which
abolished slavery, and at one "fell swoop" con-
fiscated two thirds of the property of the State,
and is it yet diehonoiable to recognize the law
which enfranchises the blacke, and disfran nchises
the white mani We cannot zee any reason for
the discrimination. But he objects to tn. pop.
ular endorsement Of the call of a Convention
as recognizing:the legal validity of Tn e military
acts But is there not an equal recognition in
tho registration and votingi
But what is propot ed as the result Of a poll
oy Of lnactionf The continuance of the pres.
ent military law, until the restoration of our
rights is effected, either by the aid of the Su-
preme Court, or change of public sentiment nt
the North. In the opinion of the best informed,
these hopes are entirely delusive. The wnve
OF public sentiment as yet shows no receding
ebo, and so far from the Supreme Court inter
posing for our relief from the present military
law, it ls the opinion Of no less jurist than
Reverdy 'ohneon that it is very doubtful
whether that court would give any relief
against a law OF Congress, confiscatiug our
ldnds and dividing them between the blacks
AND loyal whites. Congress might declare the
ansurrectiop still eIieting, the war not ended,
Southern property eonfscated as the property
OF public enemies, and the judiciary recognize
the validity OF the act. But even if the de-
cision Of the court was ss favorable as could
be wished yet in the opinion of able and cx-
perienced men like Judge Campbell, of New Or.
leane, himself once q member Of the Supreme |
Court, that court is too dependent upon Con-
gress for its organization and distribution |
to afford any substantial relief against its en-
croachpent.
A choice of evils is. at present. our only re-
source. 1t may be that the acceptance of the |
situation will not ensure our exemption from |
the evils which many anticipate, but its rtjsc-
tion will certainly secure Their inlic,ion.