Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-09-05


threaten us with confscation, on the one hand, il
we do not accept these measures they give them
the semblance of law, while on the other they at
tempt to bribe those amongst us who are 80 base
and venal as to be willing to purchase immunity
for themselves by selling the liberties of their coun
try
Are these despicable motives strong enough to
corrupt the virtue of the Southern people2 VIII
that people, who have proved themselves capable
of making any and all sacrifices for the sake Of
their principles sink 80 low as to buy the mere
privilege to ive-even if they live slaves-by Civ
ing up all that they have heretofore held sacred,
and all that makes Life itself worth having? Will
they allow their action to Influenced by threats?
Threats can never govern brave men. Are they
afraid of confscation by Congress-? IF they adopt
these reconstruction Acts, they will, most assured
ly suffer confscation in its worst and most tyran-
nical form, through the reconstructed States
1t is for them to determine these momentous ques-
tons for themselves. They have already carried
concessions to the verge of folly. Hear what an.
other Northern writer says on this point:
'The programme of the ruling party cannot be
altered or changed by concessions That has been
tried in the South. All the demands Of Congress
have been complied with by the States lately in
revolt i They have altered their constitutions, a.
dopted the amendment abolishing slavery, attend
ed to the condition of the freedmen, repudated the
debt contracted by them for war purposes, and in
this manner showed their anxiety to resume con-
stitutional relations with the Federal Government.
But each concession has been met with fresh de-
mand, until, at the present time, ten States have
been turned into military divisions, ten Governors,
chosen by the people, superseded by five brigadier
generals, and the will of aminority Congress placed
over and above the power and authority of the
Constitution. n In order to carry out this
scheme, which was concocted by the revolutionary
committee Of Congress, the Southern States are
made subject to military tyranny, without imi-
aton or responsibility, or other checks or instruc
tons than that it shall use its powers literally to
carry out the political purposes of the ruling party
in the nation -.'-s.'' .'5<~
Has thispolicy of concession to unlawful demands
been so productive Of benefit that we still desire
to pursue it? Are we prepared, for the sake of
[erpediency-that fatal falacy which has lured US
so far on the road to destruction Horse
which has brought with it an Illad of woes-to
barter away the few rights remaining to us? Yet
this is the course we must follow, if we accept
terms which we know to be contrary to the condi-
tions on which we surrendered, which are inimical
to all true reconciiations, and which are in open
and palpable violation of the Constitution of the
United States-of that Constitution which we
swear to support, at the very moment we aregross-
ly outraging its most sacred provisions Would
not those who vote for these laws, knowing them
to be unconstitutional, be guilty of perjury What
good can come of laws which begin in fraud and
can be carried into effect only by perjury? Lett
not be understood as making any reflections on
those Southern men who honestly and conscien-
tiously advocate our acceptance of these military
bills. Any divisions amongst us are to bedepfeea-
ted and it is as unwise as it is unkind to impugn
the motives Of men who, on many field, have
proved their devotion to the South. Especially do
regret the virulent attacks which have been made
on that gallant soldier who so long and so ably led
the ilustrious First Corps of the Army of Nor
thern Virginia 1t has been his hard fate in peace
as in war, to be wounded by his own people. That
charity which ''hopeth all things" and natural
distrust of our own judgment, should make us
treat the convictions of such men with, at least,
kindly and proper consideration. But for those
'who see the right, and yet the wrong pursue, 4"
who, while their country seems to be struggling in
the throes of death, consult only their own base
fears and low instincts-who, to save their vile
property, or still more vile persons would degrade
their State-who bid us accept dishonor as the
price of safety-language has no terms strong e.
nough to brand their infamy. They are as far be-
yond the reach of adequate punishment in this
world as they are beneath the scorn and contempt
Of all honorable men.
But to return to the consideration Of the Recon
struction Acts, from which this depression has led
me. What inducements do the advocates of these
measures hold out to us to accept them? Can they
promise us peace Look at Tennessee, and learn
what kind of peace we are to have Can they
promise US an acceptable State constitution-one
that will not be interfered with by Congress? Look
at Delaware, Maryland and Kentucky-three loyal
sovereign States-which are to be put on trial be-
fore Star Chamber Committee on the charge of
not having Republican constitutions Can they
promise restoration of the Union? The radical
rulers expressly declare that their measures are
not ''fnalities" Can they promise, even that
doubtful good, representation in the Congress Of
the United States? I refer you to Kentucky,
whose representatives are ANONYMOUSLY rejected,
because rebels voted for them! But suppose that
the State accepts the teriis proposed by the mil
itary bills that she agrees to the permanent and
total exclusion from her councils of the intellect,
the experience, the wisdom and the patriotism,
which, in times past, gave her lustre that, in
stead of these noble qualities and virtues, she COM
mits her political destinies to the guidance of igno-
rance, nexperience, folly and radicalism; that she
adopts constitution disfanchising forever the men
who in obeying her command to defend her, be-
ieved that they were serving God that she
"Ruys-ignomnlous purchase-short iepose,
With dying and the groans of those
That served and loved, and put In her their trust"
Suppose she does all these things, and that the
radicals then gracousy permit her to send her rep
resentatives to Washington, from what class will
she select the men who are to fill the places once
honored by Lowndes, Calhoun, McDuf6e Preston,
Cheves, Hayne, Huger, and their glorious COM
peers? The same body which has shown such
wisdom and magnanimity in framing these Recon-
struction Acts, that are to bring so many blessings
in their tran gives you the answer in the following
Acts of Congress:
81. Hereafter any person elected or appointed