The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-11-27
No Convention in south Carolina.

1t appears to be established, beyond perau-
venture, that the question of Convention OF no
Convention in South Carolina has been decided
in the negative. Not only the figures which
we publish in another column, determine this
fact with sufficient defniteness, but we learn
that il is conceded by the leaders of the Radical
party in the State.
It will be observed that the total registration
of blacks was 1885, and yet the total black
vote "For Convention" has been only 26, l39, or
1oss than one-third of the former number. 1t
is true that returns have yet to be received
from Anderson, Clarendon, Georgetown, Green
Vile, Horny, Lancaster, Lexington, Spartan
bprp. Sumter and Williamsburg; but, bearing
in mind the alto of votes in the Districts from
which we have received returns to the registra-
tion therein, it is fair to presume that not more
than 5000 more votes remain to be reported.
We have not taken into consideration tie num-
her of registered white voters, and it will
therefore be observed that the colored people
themselves are responsible for this extraordina-
~ and unexpected decision. They have re-
mained away from the polls of their own ac-
cord. Certainly, had any undue influences
been employed to keep them from casting their
votes. the fact would have been known before
this time, and the leaders would have raised 8
clam or that would be resounding through the
length and breadth of the land. No such EVIL
dence appears, and if the white citizens OF the
State are to be held responsible for their IN
difference on this occasion, the colored element
is doubly responsible for neglecting this the
frs. opportunity of expressing its opinion al
the ballot box.
Section of the First Supplementary Act
nrovidas that "if majority of the votes given
sball he for Convention, then such Conven-
,;on shall be held but if majority of said
votes shall be against Convention, then no
such Convention shall be held under this Act
Now follows the most important clause boring
upon the present result "Prouided, that such
Convention shall not be held, unless majority
of all such registered uoters shall have Voted upon
the question Of holding such Convention -
Taking the official returns of registration,
we have ,75l whites, and 1885 blacks
making total of 125, ,2s6 votes. The majority
REQUIRED to determine the question must be IN
excess of one-half of this number, viz $1,000.
We will not attempt to demonstrate that no
such vote has been cast in South Carolina;
and, even at this early day, it is foregone
conclusion that the colored citizens of this
State have themselves solved the problem that
has been disturbing the minds of our readers
since the passage of the Reconstruction Acts
Although South Carolina stands alone in
this action, as she has curiously done on many
other important occasions, we must confess,
and we believe that all sober-minded people
will agree with US, that the result Is to be
viewed with peculiar qualification. First, it
NAV indicate to the people of the North that
even in this "old-fashioned, Radical, fre-eating
State" as it has been denominated, the colored
element itself is not prepared to enter wildly
and unanimously into the schemes which are
designed to give it supremacy. 1t may ap-
pear that the reactionary wave of public senti-
ment that has lately rolled through the North
is beginning to be felt in South Carolina.
Secondly, it is by no means impossible that
Congress itself-taking the results in this
State in Georgia, and other States, as an illus
tration of the political desires OF the respec-
tive races-will pause and consider the pro-
priety of foisting upon them the adoption
of political principles SO clearly at vari-
ance with the expressed, and implied, will
of the people Should a spirit of moderation
prevail in the National Councils during this
session, the present form of State Government,
modified to suit the masses, may be continued;
and once more we may be PEI nitted to regu-
late our own domestic affairs,-taking care, of
course, that justice shall be done to the eman-
cpated race,-and be allowed again the privi-
lege of true Congressional representation as
State and IS people. The other side of the
proposition is that, as soon as the official result
of the vote in this State is made known to
Congress, that body may order another Con-
vention to be held, by some new Act which will
ensure the success of their peculiar ideas on
Southern reconstruction. We can only watch
and pray.