The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-27
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WHAT To do.

The lime for registration is approaching, and
while many, indeed most Of those permitted 10
register, have long since nadc up their minus
what course to pursue we know there arc some
who arc still undecided. These sec objections
oneithcr L and what with the feeble sense of
obligation 81 the part Of some. rrln''": :. ."e'f
tntv nj tb;, 49,. -, "a The intuitirc shrinking
ami aversion oven, on the pnrt oil others, 10
mirsii"s With the elements, with which The
boiling of this political cauldron condemns
them to come i'll contact. They wish TO do
right, to do their duty, to themselves, 10 their
children, to their neighbors and community, TO
their country. But precisely here is the diff
Gully which the question presents 10 the honest
inquirer. When his suffrage is claimed OH
both sides, how is he to determine on which
side lies duty? There nrc mnny, We know,
who need instruction and guidance on this
subject, and we would DO pleased 10 see our
public men come forward more generally The
press everywhere Inns spoken and, with few
exceptions, spoken in no uncertain tones. We
hayc dwclt on the subject ill VIC cannot help
believing that our rearlcrs must be heartily
tired of it. But be that us ii mny, wo have no
continue in this vein until our States shall once
more enjoy all their rights in the Union, in all
things on IN equal footing with the Suites nov
denominntcd loyal"
But while we arc thus endeavoring 10 do
what toward restoring 10 tho Stnte
pence, order, harmony and prosperity, ms far
ms lies in our humble power, or within the
sphere of our influence, we should like TO see
our efforts assstcd and furthcrcd Ivy the prom-
nect men everywhere throughout the State.
In the present emergency no man has right
to consult his own inclination merely. He
owes duty to the public, TO his country, 10 pos
tcrty, which, n mnn of honor, rs patriot,
as n Christian, he cannot neglect. And yet but
few of our public men hnvo spoken. Why, we
cannot sny. II uny bo this silence proceeds
fr N that want af self-confdcncc which some
tines, hut rarely, results from failure and dis
appointment, or il may be due to timidity, 10
disgust for the situation, or to the conviction
that privacy and reserve arc most becoming
under the circumstances Al all periods Of
history people have looked to those citizens
whom they have been accustomed to trust md
10 honor for atlvcc and guidance under dIf-
Ms Sft e S"1a Tint .is snne
men so ready to assume AMI discharge in
peaceful and prosperous times when honors
md rewards nrc nt the disposal of Tho peo-
pie 'A great naturalist hns observed" snys
The Richmond IIIhIy in n recent article on
the Duties Of our Leading. Men, "thnl in the
struggle for life, grain may turn the
balance in favor OF given structure, which
will then be preserved" This remark is true
Of every struggle, the success of which de-
pcnds upon human influence and agency. In
this struggle for the reconstruction of our
Slate, which We think cnn he consummated in
manner satisfactory TO every interest involv-
ed-to Congress, the Republican party, and
the people Of the State, there is n diversity Of
opinion. Some have doubts rs 10 the true
policy, some have conscientious scruples, some
nro tormented with points of honor, and some
think that regard for poetry and romance re-
quires that they should invite further suffering
and sacrifioo The public mind is distracted.
The people want adyice-tEe advice of those
whose counsels they have been accustomed TO
respect Their advisers silent, and We are
oil left to grope our way through the surround
ing darkness as best VIC cnn. We nre not dis
posed 10 complain unnecessarily, but We feel
called upon 40 ask is this obstinate silence
worthy of those who maintain it, Arc the
people TO be deserted in their hour of EXTREMIST
need by those whom they formerly delighted
to honor? When the war was talked Of the
people did not have 10 beg for advice. It wns
not only freely rendered, but pressed upon
them. They followed this advice, and by so
doing got into The present difficulties Is IL
not the duty of those who were instrumental
in leading them into these difficulties now to
come forward and endcavor at least TO lead
them out into place Of repose and safciy
The influence of hnlE-dozcn eminent men of
our State cast in favor of tho policy we advo
catc would remove NIL the impedilncnts to lis
| TO "turu bsa That is the grain" which is needed
That is selfish, arrogau.,
with which such persons seek 10 soiase ,m.. i"g.'
sclycs-thnt their importance and selEresucet
require that they should hold aloof md leayo
ihe people to bear the peltings of n pitiless
Storm II is ns much their duty as il is TINT
Of the hnmblcst citisens of the Commonwealth
| TO mid in the reconstruction of tho Slate.
More, indeed-just so much more ns they have
in former times been honored and rewarded
by tho now deserted people.
In our opinion, no son Of tho State, whether
eminent in war or in peace, should seek in rc-
1irement and solitude an escape from the
duties, the high and pressing duties of this
hour. South Carolina is entitled to their
counsel nnd influence.