The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-09-11

uItucl wv Nlillury J)lil
a. No, we could gain nothing, for all is
fixed up beforehand, and after all wo could
not hold seats in Congress, unlcss we sond
there a loyal radical representation. No.
let us stay rs we nrc in preference: mo
military rule is more tolcrabc, and indeed,
as far as [ know, with porhNrI enc cx
ton, thc Military Governor has shown much
good sCnsc, and has ruled wi lcuity. aud
humanity, SO farus. The nature Of his now.
ers, and tho principles he has 10 carry out
will admit.
You then advise no convention, refuse 10
reconstruct under tho provisions of tho
militarybills, and reject the amendment TO
The Constitution Of the United States?
A. l would not reconstruct now, unless
we can get moro favorable terms, but |
would reconstruct Tomorrow on the condi-
tions he, ctoforc offered by the President
and to which We have already agreed.
T.. What then ito you propose to gain by
staying out of the Union, now?
A. Time, which is something, and if we
refuse now to rccorTtruct it may prevent
The political power passing to Tho hands Of
prevent this wc ought 10 adopt.
Q. What do you mean by tho political
power
\. mean the Legislative, Executive and
Jud:cial--in other words the power to rule
the people, and govern the State.
q. All! that would be bad cnourh, tell
nc, then what would be their policy and
what measures they would be most likely to
carry out?
A. The condition Of things il Tennessee
might answer your question Dui will be
more particular the platform laid down
by the negro Radical convention, recently
i'll Columbia, will illustrate their policy and
point out their measures.
q have heard Of such Convention, but
neither takcn.or read the news, and would
be much obliged TO you to point out what
were their measures and policy?
y. will try, (but they are Of such IN
out and out characler, before / begin, |
to dislranchisc ally the whites who look part
in The late way or rebellion, SO called. I'd.
TO divide c,.t tho lands and npportion them
out to the freedmen and such whites as
may join them in their crusade, compel The
whites TO educate all tho colorod children,
and feed and clothc all tho old and feeble
blacks, al tho members Of The Legislature
10 be loyal TO their party, aNG 10 tax lands
and property owned by dis,oyal citizens, TO
carry out al their measures and dcrray the
public expense.
Q Sir, am asonishcd, and fear this
policy, but too we'll corresponds with these
military bills, and The policy OF The Radical
Congress, If l havc understood your cxpla-
nation OH thcm-what is your opinion, sir?
A. God forbid! Notwithstanding IT. be
the opinion Of some that tho Northern pco-
pie wish to expei tho white population from
Tho South, L hope it is not so. Others with
moro reason, think they want to Radicalizc
iln Ia 4,
and become State, 10 get her vote for their
candidate for the presidency, and then let
tho negro power shift for itself l say not
withstanding all this, cannot think the
Radical Congress, the North or any other
people, except the negro radicals and native
white radicals, could be guilty Of such foul
deeds, rs have said were indicated in the
negro platform Mt Columbia.
q. Is it then your opinion that if tho
State agree to reconstruct now. under the
provisions Of the Military bill, and tho pro-
posed amendment, it will turn over tho
State Government into the hands Of Tho NO.
grocs and the native radical white men.
a. have no other expectation, it will
follow as sure MS effect follow cause.
Q. Then should Tho State 60 into Convcn-
ton and take measures for reconstruction,
and GO into tho Union now, you are als
most certain we will loose all that tho friends
OF such course propose or expect 10 gain
by doing SO?
a. | should say so. The freedmen be-
licvc it, and the native white radicals, hang
ing Oh to tho skirts of tho negro, are al
ready reaching out their hands for their
share of tho spoils and reaching up for Of
flee and prefermcnt.
q. Where then is our safety?
A I ~,
my views Of tho situation, our safety mani
testify will be consulted, by waving recon.
struction under these Military bills. No
Statc--no negro power. No Statc-no ap-
pcarancc of voluntary submission TO the
principles of tho radical party. No State,
no voting for tho radical candidate for tho
Presidency if the State should 60 into
the Union, it will be compelled 10 vote with
thai party. Now you have asked INC so many
questions / must beg 20 be relieved. Alas
for my country. 0, ye people of the South,
will you remove oil the landmarks of liber-
", overthrow the bulwarks your ancestors
havc been raising up for centuries rs stand
points for the defonoe Of freedom, with tho
torch Of oppression in one hand and with
reason, justice and tho light of experience
in tho other, pointing out tho just princi-
pies of government, and CIVIL political and
fclglous lloerty.%
Let It be understood that South Caro-
lima, and think oil tie South, nrc anxious
to reconstruct. AS | said before, they
would do so omorrow, on tho conditions
offered ard proposed by President Johnson.
The South would agree to give tho negro a
qualified yotc, based upon property TO BIO
taxable; and would guarantee 10 thai race
oil tho rights and privileges they arc fit for,
and help TO cyilzc and cllrsianac them
or any other thing right and safo we would
agrccto. Let us therefore, in the plan Of
tho negro conventiou have commission Of
Southern men, and legation TO represent
tho Union, to agroo upon terms and have
this ycxcd question settled at once. Tho
State Of South Carolina so as TO conform
to Tho stipulations Of the President, (and
think oil tho States South have dono SOY
has remodeled her constitution, and now
whit hinders tho reconstruction Of tie
Union. Let the Southern Statcs back into
tho Union as equal TO tho co. o.Statcs. and not
as some bantling to be nurscd, fixed up and
set out for q show without either spirit or
power. Fl
? This we nro willing and ready TO do; and
think il to Che Interest and welfare of all
the States to look this thing in the face, and
go promptly to work TO reconstruct tho
Union. The South will throw no obstacles