Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-19
Admiral semmes on Reconstruction.

But aside from this evidence, that the
Northern people intend to keep faith WITH
us, what other course is open tous? SINCE
the Bulletin first took ground upon this ques:
ton, which was when the supplementary bill
was passed, which left the Southern people
no option, almost all our prominent men have
spoken. We have carefully read their letters
and speeches, and we find in no one of them
any plan proposed by which we, can better
ourselves. Some Of them denounce the re.
construction Acts as unconstitutional. aud
from the Northern standpoint they are SO.
But We, as high-toned Southern men mint
ful of our honor and our past history, must
occupy our own standpoint, and no. that oi 3
our late enemy, if we would not stuitlty our
selves. To repeat former arguments used in
these columns, we claimed the right to Sc,
code we did secede; we established what we
claimed to be . foreign Government, and We,
waged four years war il support of that
Government. We we're beaten in that wsr,
and are to-day conquered peop,e-corquer-3
ed in foreign war, proclaimed BY ourselves,
and not merely subdueG in a. domestic IN:
surrcctiou. Shall we turn round now ard,
proclaim ourselves lars? Shall we say that
none of these things occurred Shall we not
only admit ourselves to he liars, but shall
we, in addition, proclaim ourselves to be swim
ders? Shall We admit that we induced our !
people TO Withdraw from the .CaiOn uncar-
false prctcnccs, and ,hat VIC invited the ciG.
GERS Of tho cid army and navy to hccoUe
rebels and t.a,t rs, nnsicad Of rallyiug.to The
defence Of legally constituted Government &
Is it the code Of honor the pass!vists now FRO
pose ior Cur acceptance: Yes, 1t is, and,
strange &c say. sensible man, honorable men,
commend THIS code to us; to such an extent
&c men,: wishes. and interests, and politics,
blind them. But, to ley this question. OF
honor aside, and lool, at expedicncy. How
are VIC to help. our:elyes? Has not Gen.
Pope told'Gov. jenkins that the reeonstruc-
tion !aw must be executed like any other
law? and DO We not know that it will be en-
ecuted in spite Ct anything we can do? il
the people CT Mississippi. OF any other OF the
ten conquered States, should register tnen-
selves, and vote against calling a conventions,
the conGcation would be ';ailcd nevertheless.
Tie negro vote and the vote Of tie radical
whites would cu;nuinbcr tie passiyistS; Or
If it did not. the reconstruaion Act would be
so amended at the next session of Congress
as to accomplish the obje't, with, doubtless,
furlhc: aud more striagcnt DETERMINATIONS
agains. those wh9 have participated in the
war. Gov. Perry, Of South Carolina. in par
;icu!ar, must BE mad, when he recommends
Tie people Of that S,ate 10 vote against. Il
coaTenton Tor lie knows ;lat tic blacks alone
in that State are racro numerous than ;he
whites. Gov. Perry taiks CT honOr and Io
Constitution, and ut the same time recon-.
mcids his people to pat taeir necks quietly
under tie loot Of tie black Eian. Ii there
were any Tree choice lett u.s. We might Or
might nu; accept lhe term:; il We might CT
might 70; take our respective States back IN
to .hc Union on the rond!i named, the
case aou.a be different. But II we do not
rl-orsani@e the zen States ourselves. they %iil
as certainly be re-organi&ed by The negroes.
ami radicals as thas tac slin shines, anG tat
is The choice, aud the only choice, left US.
Choose for yourselves, brethren OF the ten
StatcS.-MempLis Bulletin.