Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1867-03-09

be dsfranchiscd, and at least politically sacri-
feed. If the sympathies Of those whom we
represented were not with US, they would be
less than human. But is it best that they
cling to us till they have made beggars of their
wives and children, aud plunged themselves
into irrctrievable ruin, when their fidelity can
do us no good? l think not. Justice TO their
wives aud children require, that we do not on
courage them in this course. Aud above all
if peace, quiet, and returning prosperity can
be restored to our unhappy country by the
sacriice, we shoul. make it without further
hesitation or delay.
let us accept the position, as we have al
ready ro,esscd to do, in good .futh. Let us
sec to it that the laws are faithfully and i'm
partially executcd-that the most proscriptivc
loyalist, and the most degraded freedman, have
the same measure of right and justice which
is mctcd ont to our own people. AS all are
obliged to admit that there can b, no future
separation, and as we have chosen to remain
under the Government of the United States
now do all in our power, while we claim it's
protection, to discharge faithfully all our du-
tics as citizens. AS VIC live under it we should
look to it as the Government of our own choice
Its flag is now our flag, its credit our credit,
and we should deter nine come what may, to
forget the past, and defend aud sustain both
with all our ability in future. We have in
the South country Of vast fertility and great
natural resources They need development.
We have entered upon new era. We need
capital and labor. Neither will come till our
difficulties arc settled, aud our political status
defined. Every Northern mau or foreigner
who brings physical strength or capital into
Georgia, adds to her wealth, and should be
regarded as Il friend, and treated as such. In
our depressed condition, if men who are void
Of the better feelings Of our nature come among
us to insult Us by insolcnce, let us refuse to
handy words with them. Compared with the
great msss Of the Northern people, these char
actcrs are few, aud must soon give place to
better men. A magnanimous man never re.
jsioos uvur the suffor1nSs of E.noIs aavo-s"N g
ry. Time will heal most of our wounds, and
VIC who in war were encmics, will soon be In
peace friends The sooner this is the case,
the better for the whole country. In view of
these considerations, | think it best that we,
as the conquered, yield the points in contro-
versy at once.
1t only remains for me to add, that I con-
slider il the duty of the Governor of Georgia
to call the Legislature together without delay,
aud to recommend the passage of an act call
IlS a COHSCuIOu VI Vic pGoplC VI luiS DIalCy
to SO change our State Constitution as to pro
vide for universal suffrage in conformity to
the measure which has passed Congress, known
MS the Sherman amendment; and to provide
for the early election Of Legislature which
will adopt the constitutional amendment in
accordance with said requirement.. We now
have the assurance of Congress in the passage
Of this bill, that this shall settle the question
of our admission. We shall never get better
terms. Let us comply with them and be ready
to be represented in the next Congress as soon
as possible.
respectfully suggest that the people Of the
several counties of the State, who favor the
proposed action, hold public meetings, with
as little delay Us possible, and urge upon tn"
Governor to con, enc the Legislature and re.
commend them to take prompt action. The
Governor and Legislature were elected be-
fore the constitutional amendment was pro-
posed, and respectfully submit that it is their
imperative duty, in the present condition OF
the country, to take the necessary steps to re-
fer this question to the people at the ballot
box The most appropriate mode of doing
this, is to order an election for delegates to
convention, to act upon the proposition now
submitted by Congress. This they cannot
with proprcty refuse, if tho people, demand
it. Let the people speak.
If the State will adopt this line Of policy,
and the Convention will mcmoralize Congress
asking that the Judges, county officers, and
others necessary to the efficient working of
the State Government, be relieved from the
provisions of the constitutional amendment,
/ believe the petition, if presented in proper
spirit, will be granted, and we shall soon be
relieved of much of the gloom which is now
wide spread over the WHOLE South If we re.
jcct the terms proposed in the Sherman BILL
confess see no hope for the future. Should
we accept them, trust the example of Geor-
gia may be followed by other States, and that
this vexcd question may soon be permanent.
ly settled upon the best terms which we will
ever be able to get. M
an, aware of the ranidity of the chnnres