Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-05-22
Registration and Reconstructio,mi,.

Last week, we published Gen. SIcKLss' Regis-
tration Order. By this time, our people have
read tho,said order, and know how the work Of
registration is to be managed in North and South
Carolina. The all. absorbing question Of the day,
in the South is the condition of tho ten disffan-
chised States under the Sherman.S hcllabarger
law, and tho alternative presented by this laR.
Thatalte nativeit, whether shallreorganize
our State Governments under it, or stnnd still and
see few renegadcs, by the help of the newly-en-
franchsed element, take possession Of: the State
Goverpmcnts, remodel them to suit themselves,
and perhaps disfranchise all who ever supported
the Confederacy. Certainly there never was
graycr or more solentn alternative presented to
people. As to obeying the law, and executing it,
as ordered by the military commander, by all our
civil officers, there is no question as to SufNuty.
We should obey and support the military regime
unoualifedly. 1t is our interest End our duty.
whether or notour reorganization Of our State
Government under the Sherman law.will result in
the restoration Of the State to equality in the
Union. is, to our minds, somewhat uncertain.
Sometimes we think it will sometimes we doubt
it very seriously. We are beset with evils and dan
gers on every side. The wisest head and lifelong
est experience may well be confused in the present
condition of our political affairs. Senator sher.
man and others who acted with him pledge them,
scyes to the fnality Of the Sherman law, and q
the res.ora.;ox of the disfranchised States if il
bo complied with. This pledge, will, we believe
be redeemed, should the Sherman wing be in the
ascendant during tho next Session of Congress.
As to the mere net Of Registration, every man
who can, should register; if only to refuse oratii
cation to the new constitution in case it should bt
bad one. For State Convention will be held
and the reorganization will certainly takSplaee
whether the masses Of the people Of the Statt
participate in tor not. s
The uncertainties, difficulties, and d1iieacies o.
the position are such, that it is with fear ant
trembling we offer our readers any definite, pes
tive. and emphatic advice; except as totwo things
viz: entire obedience to the military government
and universal registration Of all the "rebels wht
/ elHll DE allOHcQ " fobS' ~ IA~
Is ordered we shall perhaps have more light, ant
! know better what to do. We still incline to th'
! opinion that we shall find it beat to 90 harmonl
ously into tho Convention. At any rate, lot all o
us who can, register, and elm position to do,wha
i hest. Let us not run ahead Of the orders, mo-
he too slow with regard to them. One thing at
time is enough; and While We arc obeying on
order we must strive to obtain all the light araila
ble in regard to the next one. We must not alloy
ourselves to bo hurried dnd panicked by men v
wish to rush " .ofwurl in either direction in thi
T.. ..mcnt in our history as people; no
must we allow ourselves to be misled by men VIII
would excite bitterness Of feeling among the pco
pie. All wisdom and virtue, all calm and com
prehensvc foresight and statesmanship, are nov
needed, in order that we make no mistakes, ant
thereby plant the seeds Of future trouble and re
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