The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-12-11
81 eREENyIIIE. SOUTH CAROLINA DECEMBER rs 1867

he assumes rs arcitizen Of the Republic -
Where reople--the source Of oil political
power--speak, by their gu frages, through
the instrnmentaliiy Of the ballvt-box, it
must be carefully guarded sgainst the con.
troll Of those who are corrupt in principle
and enemies of free institutions for IL can
only become TO onr political and social sys-
TEN safe conductor Of healthy popular
sentiment when kept free from demoralizing
influences. Controlled through fraud and
ueurPation BY the designing. anarchy and
de.potism mus: inevitably follow. In the
hands OF the patriotic and worthy, our
Government will be preserved upon the
principles Of tho Constitution inherited from
onr fathers. It follows. therefore, that in
admitting to the ballot box new class of
voters not qualified for the exercise of the
elective franchise, we weaken our system
Of government, instead Of adding to its
strength aud durability" "I yield. TO no
one In attachment to that rule OF general
suffrage which distinguishes our policy ms
I" nction. But there 10 limit, wisely Oh
served hitherto, which makes the ballot a
privilege and trust, and which requires
Of some classes time suitable for proba.
tion and preparation. To give it indis-
criminatcly TO new class, wholly unpre-
pared, ty previous habits and opportuni
ties, 10 perform the trust which Il demand.
is to degrade it, and finally TO destroy its
power; for it may be safely assumed that
no political trath is better established than
that such indiscrimina,e and aIl.cmbraciug
extension Of popular suffrage must end at
last In it overthrow and destruction"
Irepeat the expression Of my Willingness
to join in any plan within the scope of our
constitutional authority which promises TO
better the condition Of the negroes in the
South. by encouraging them in industry,
enJightening their minds. improving their
morel', aud giving protection to oil their
just rights as freedmen. But the transfer
of our political Inheritance TO them would.
in my opinion, be an abandonment Of duty
which We owe alike TO the memory Of our
fathers and the rights Of our children.
The plan Of PuttIpg the Southern States
wholly, aud the General Government, par
tally. into the hands of negroos. Is proposed d
at time peculiarly unpropi,ious. The
foundations Of society have been broken up
by civil war. Industry must be reorgan-
lied, justice, re.established, public credit
aimed, and order brought out Of con
fusion. To accomplish these ends would re
quire ell the wisdom and virtue Of the great
men who formed our institutions originally.
! confidently believe that their descendants
will be equal TO the arduous task before
them. but il is worse than madness TO ex
pet that negroes will pc, form il for ue.-
Certainly We ought not 10 ask their assist
ance until We despair Of our own ccmne
tency.
The great difference between the tw,
races 10 physical, mental, and moral char
ncteristics will prevent an anal algamation ol
fusion OF them together in one homogeneou oui
mas. IL the inferior obtains the asoendenc,
over the other, it will govern with reference
only TO its own interests---for il will recog
nize no common interest-and create sucl
tyranny as this continent has never We
witnessed. Already the negroes are infiu
erced by promises Of conf.cstion and plum
der. They are fnught to regard as a,
enemy every white man who has any
respect for the rights Of his own race. IftLl
continues it must become worse and worse
until oil order will be subverted, all indus
try cease. and the fertile fields OF the Soutl
grow up into a wilderness or all the dan
gers which our nation has yet encountered
none are equal TO those which must result
from the success, Of the effort now makins
TO Africanize the half Of our country.
would not put considerations Of money
in competition with justice and right. Blu
the expenses incident to " reconstruction
under the system adopted by Congress
nggravate what / regard as the intrinsic
wrong Of the measure itself 1t has cos
uncounted millions already, and II persisted
in will add largely TO the weight of taxa
tion. already too oppressive to be born,
without just complaint, end may finally
reduce the Treasury Of the nation to con
dition Of bankruptcy. We must not delude
ourselves. 1t will require strong stand
ing army, and probably more than tive
hundred millions Of dollars per annum, {,
maintain the supremacy Of negro govern
me nts after they arc established. The sun
thus thrown away would, II properly used
frin sinking fund large enough 10 paI
the whole national debt in less than fifteer
years. II Is vain to hope that negroes viii
maintain their aseendtney ihernsslves.--
Without military power they are Who'll,
incapable of holding in suhjection the whit,
people Of the South.