The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-12-05

the ODugat1OnS which he assumes a. 8
citizen of the Republic. Where a
people-the source Of all political
power-speak, by their suffrages,
through the instrumentality of the
ballot-box, it must be carefully
guarded against the control of those
who are corrupt in principle and ene-
mics of free institutions, for 1T can
only become to our political and So
cial system safe conductor of healthy
popular sentiment when kept free
from demoralizing influences. Con-
trolled through fraud and usurpation
by the designing, anarchy and des-
potism must inevitably follow. In
the hands of the patriotic and wor-
thy, our Government will be pre-
served upon the principles of the
Constitution inherited from our fa-
theirs. 1t follows, therefore, that in
admitting to the ballot-box new
class of voters not qualified for the
exercise of the elective franchise, we
weaken our system of government.
instead of adding to its strength and
durability" II yield to no one in
attachment to that rule of general
suffrage which distinguishes our poll
cy as nation. But there is limit,
wisely observed hitherto, which
makes the ballot privilege and q
trust, and which requires of some
classes time suitable for probation
and preparation. 70 give it indis-
criminately to new class, wholly un-
prepared, by previous habits and op-
portunities, to perform the trust
which it demands, is to degrade it,
and finally to destroy its power; for
it may be safely assumed that no po-
Itical truth is better established than
that suoh indiscriminate and all
embracing extension of popular suf-
frage must end at last in its overthrow
and destruction.
/ repeat the expression of my will
lingness to join in any plan within
the scope Of our constitutional au-
thority which promises TO better the
condition of the negroes in the South,
by encouraging them in industry,
enlightening their minds, improving
their morals, and giving protection
to all their just rights as freedmen.
But the transfer of our political in
heritanoe to them would, in my
opinion, be an abandonment of q
duty which we owe alike to the
memory Of our fathers and the rights
of our children.
The plan of putting the Southern
States wholly, and the General Co.
vernment partially, into the hands of
negroes, is proposed at time pecu-
liarly unpropitious. The foundations
of society have been broken up by
civil war. Industry must be re-or-
ganized, justice re-established, public
credit maintained, and order brought
out of confusion. To accomplish
these ends would require all. the
wisdom and virtue of the great men
who formed our institutions original
ly. I confidently believe that their
descendants will be equal to the
arduous task before them, but it is
worse than madness to expect that
negroes will perform it for us. Ger
tainly we ought not to ask their as
sistance until we despair of our own
competency.
The great difference between the
two races in physical, mental, and
moral characteristics will prevent an
amalgamation or fusion of them to-
gether in one homogeneous mass.
If the inferior obtains the ascendency
over the other, it will govern with
reference only to it's own interests
for it will recognize no common inte-
rest-and create such o tyranny as
this continenthas never yet witnessed.
Already the negroes are influenced
by promises of confiscation and
plunder. They are taught to regard
as an enemy evory white man who
has any respect for the rights of his
own race. If this continues it must
become worse and worse, until all
order will be subverted, all industry
cease, and the fertile fields of the
South grow up into a wilderness. Of
all the dangers which our nation has
yet encountered, none are equal to
those which must result from the
success of the effort now making to
Africanize the half of our country.
would not put consideration of
money in competition with justice
and right. But the expenses Incl
dent to Reconstruction" under the
system adopted by Congress aggra-
vate what regard es the intrinsic
wrong of the measure itself. Il has
IL \