The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-03-27
THE.DUTY OF THE People.

Every 1ournal, NoTln anu Ooutn, ueVoteS eou-
siderable space TO the discussion of the subject i'm
plicd by our heading. The people Of the South
are admonished and ,entreated, coaxed and threat
cned, according to the political tews of the Tari
GUS writer's We propose briefly to set forth .ne
real and apparent duties, according to our jug
ment, imposed by the recent cnactments oil oon=
gress, and without dictation or Assumptions '
deayor to direct the minds of our Poopie 10 AA
earnest INQUIRY after the true course to De pur-
sued by them in thi, crisis of public ataiFs
II ;s readily conceded, upon all sides, that ne
GRO suffrage has been forced exclusively upon 'ne
sontb and for political purposes The EXTREMIST
ua,nhsrs Of the Radical party do not disguise the
fact that this measure is intended to iurtner the
ends of their party. This being the case' ana the
South being poweress to prevent Its consumna- :.
ton. is it the part Of wisdom to join with that
party, and assist to perpctuate the wrong anu ih'
Justice? We cannot obviate the present difncul-
ties of the situation, but there is neither common
sense nor patrio.ism in assisting forge the chains
which now hind us to the acceptance OF the issue.
We cannot view matters in that light, and will not
rive counsel to others against our own convictions
Hut ye are compelled to accept negro suffrage as a
fixed factin the political reorganization OF the State
II would be worse than folly not to admit this
nrono.ition in its full force. Congress, the gov
orn;no mower of the land has decreed that oil male
negroes, over twenty years OF age, are entitled
To the elective franchise in all future elections, and
has instituted military despotism in the South to
enforce this decree. We accept this declaration
in all it's conclusions But ne do not welcome its
coming nor hail with joy the future of a country
guided by the ignorance, prejudice and low in
slipcts of the negro race. They may become quail
fed for intelligent suffrage in the course Of several
generations they are not now qualified, and will
not be during the present century. These are
self.evident truths, known to every man acquainted
with the characteristcs of the race. Why, then,
should Southern men seek With avidity to endorse
the action of Congress? Why stultify ourselves
before the world in an eagerness to catch the popu
lar current, and coincide with the teachings, ideas
and prejudices ofthe Radical party? Vie may adj
nit their actions and declarations TO be potent and
influential We may concede that these EXTREMIST
measures are binding and must be observed We
may accept in good faith, tho terms imposed by Con-
Cress, and execute their demands fully and faith
fully. But, for the sake Of manhood, forever
discard the idea of adopting the Radical creed BY
cheerfully acquiescing in their demands. The
sycophaht and hypocrite may yield TO this modern
Mogul the homage and obsequieousness necessary
to win favor, but he will be despised hereafter,
and when power is taken away from that party,
he will bend before the shrine of another.
The supplemental bill has settled the question
of calling a. Convention. This bill will become q
law and then Congress will adjourn, having pre-
sented its plan of reconstruction. The people must
accept this plan, in particular sense. They can
not avoid its requirements, and there is no wisdom
in rejecting rs advantages. They are required to
register their names, and in order to defeat the
new element Of political strength, and prevent the
negro from being at once oised as rulers over
the State, the entire population must vote If the
white race keeps aloof the result is easily foreseen
The controlling element will be either the negro
or designing white men placing themselves on an
absolute equality with that race Shall this be al
o wed The path Of duty here is plainly indicated
If we wish to prevent an immediate transfer of the
body polite to the Africanized element in our
midst, then the people must participate in these
elections. Negro suffrage is forced upon us, be it
remembered, and unless an effort is made TO defeat
its strength, We submit without struggle.
: Another duty of every good citizen is to accept,
in the broadest sense the establishment of military
rule. We cannot too often reflect upon the con-
sequences Of resisting the laws and enactments of
the dominant party. The officers of the army, who
have been placed over us, are in our midst TO exc
cute their demands and enforce their measures
Without compromising the honor Or dignity of our
position people submitting patiently to the
yoke of the conqueror, We may fully recognize the
supremacy Of military rule and govern our actions
accordingly. Resistance will only aggravate and
embiter the present, and intensity the future woe
of our people.
RELIEF FOB THE DESTITUTE.
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