The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-09-18


vent the power of governing tho State from
falling into the hands of tho negroes. How
shall wo do this? BY voting for Convcn-
ton? That would be giving TO tho freed
man tho direct means TO reconstruct and
get tho State back into the Union, with the
recognition of all the principles and objects
Of these same military bills: for if wo vote
for Convention, IL will be takcnfor granted,
(whcthcr We do so from policy, or from any
other motivc) that we favor tho objects OF |
ton and negro power. assert whether it |
is 50 or not, it will have that effect. Shall
W then agree 10 become State in the
Union undcrsthcsc very dangerous condi-
tions. l horo not. What! go into the
Union, with the amendment to tho COnsti-
tuition, which is sine qua non, allowing
every negro 81 years old, mp TO tho longest
life, TO vote, while near onc.third Of tho
whites arc disfranchiscd. God forbid? Tho
negroes can out vote us two to three, they
would have all tho political power, make
the laws, hold every Office, and represent
the State in Congress. What then woull
be the condition Of the white people, per-
haps some one, who favors this course,
could tell us. Arc VIC ready then, fellow
citizens, TO place our lives in jeopardy arc
you ready 10 surrender your scanty proper-
ty to DC pilngcd lands to be divided
out for the benefit Of another race: yo,tr-
selves, wives and children to be turned out
of doors? No, let us muster all The moral
courage md firmncss, We can, and meet the
crisis-apd say TO the world VIC will not
reconstruct On such dangerous. unfair.
unreasonable and unusual conditions
What State or territory has ever been re-
were free negroes in all tho territories, and
yet, when admitted as Statcs they worc
not required 10 mako any provision, in
their State Constitutions to allow free ne
grocs to vote, or for universal su(lragc.-
There arc free negroes now in all The States,
and they arc not allowed to vote; therc is,
therefor no precedent TO impose such con>
ditions in the South.
But say some, We cannot help these
things; tho negroes and white native radi-
calls can out vote us, and they will carry all
those measures whether We will or not.
| Will you mend the matter by falling ovcr-
, board into the current that is to oycrwhclm
you, no, stay in The ship and show That you
arc unwilling TO die yet; perhaps you may
| get help, the Almighty may intcrposc, and
tho good old ship may swing rOuld and
righ: up. The State may got into the Unicn
on such terms as we have already agreed
to. We have, even under these military
bills, the privilege TO vote "aganst Con-
yention'-to oppose reconstruction and to
refuse to allow to tho negro more than
qualified vote. Now if am correct, will
not every true Southcrncr como 10 The res
cue, and with unanimity Tint will count,
oppose Reconstruction undcr these Military
bills. The white population ought to net
in concert, let all register, and 60 to the
and remember yoa ar arc aoYas }6r yStS
fellow citizens who arc disfranchiscd and
try to elect true men if possible 10 the Con.
VentIon, to control it, rs it is almost GER
tain, the negro vote will carry convention ::
and should the Convention succeed in draft
ing constitution for the State, consorma.
bic to The principles ofthc military bills
when IL is sent up TO tho people for ratifica-
tion, VIC will have another chance TO fpbt
ii.
Now should we fail in all our altcmpts TO
avoid reconstruction atthis limo, and on
thcSe conditions what next? can only
suggest that our condition would be no
worse, for it would still be negro power and
negro equality, and VIC shall hayo saved our
moral power TO contend for our irue and
proper position in tho Union, on higher
grounds and the great prin cipes Of tho
constitution, and tho rights and liberty of
the American people We eau hold n
white Convention, and enter IN our solemn
protrst, lay onr cause before the tribunals.
Of the country, appeal to the people Of Tho
other States, and caim our right to bc n
state, and in the Union. undor the Prcs.
acnCs proclamation. We may succeed. but
IL the worst comes, lot it come
BIB. COOK.
s.s=zas.