Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-07-31
who can will do SO, with the view of defeating
the scheme for our degradation and the over

WIZ Soh nLA w cOj Wie4 Wv 'AS" SH NSt~'-~'''ss
the scheme for our degradation and the over
throw of republican government.
II cannot fail to strike the mind of every
rejecting man, that the consent of the people
to the proposed plan of reconstruction is de-
sired by the dominant party for having OBJ
tanned our consent they will insist that what
ever is irregular is thereby cured, that what
ever is unconstitutional is thereby waived,
and they absolved from their sins. Then the
door of redress, in every form, will have been
forever closed. Then all future remonstrance
will be vain, and its voice silenced by the re-
tort upon us, thatwe consented to the scheme,
and that the State government and conatitu.
ton, organized in pursuance of it, are, in
truth and fact, the government and constitu.
tion adopted by the people. Let us never
consent, but having the power, let US see to
it that we reject it. This VIC can do only by
registration and voting against the proposed
convention.
Mary good men arc embarrassed by the
idea that the fact of registration implies con-
sent, and will bird them to abide the action
of the convention. There would be force in
this, were it not that the constitution to be
formed by tho proposed convention, is to he
submitted 10 thepcople for ratification, which
clearly shows that the mere fact OF register
ing does not carry with it such consent, but
that it depends entirely upon the ratification
of the constitution. Registration, therefore,
is necessary step for every citizen to take
| in order to put himself in a position to con-
sent OF to dissent from the action Of the con.
ventiou.
On the other hand, If those opposed to tue
scheme refuse to register, is it not plain that
they put themselves, their children, and the
interests of the Stato, at the mercy Of the
Radicals? !or, by SO doing: they can VOC
against neither the convention nor the ratii-
cation of the constitution which it shall frame.
Are they willing to thiss VIII not the Rai-
Gals construe their refusal into an expression
! of willingness to abide the action Of those
who do register? "Silence gives CONSENT"
they will say, and our fature remonstrarces
will be met by this potent old maxim. There
fore, Let all register AID WELD their ballot TO
save the State from utter ruin and degrade,
ton. This is the club of Her cules, by which
we can, if true to ourselves, crush this h0rrid
hydra that basks in and fattens upon the slime
of the Lerneau- lake Of Radical corruption,
:; :;
This should intensity our opposition !: a.d
if there be o slumbcring love Of liberty IN ti.a
North, it SHOULD arouse il into activity aud
| summon them to the rescue. They can /.
they will, save liberty VIC canuot, willierc
their cooperation. Our oppresSors can pGl
chains uncz, US, if they will. seeing US ;Dpc-
| tent and prostratc at their .-et; but let u
consent to it nerer. We are oyerpowcred Lus
not conquered. TLey can rob us OF. .fieedO:a,
but let US never agree to be slares. Thcymay
overthrow constitutional liberty; but let rs
never embrace their despotisn'.
despsir of redress BY Executive iaScrro.
sition. The President is power.sss. | dcs-
pair Of redress BY any appeal 10 the Supreme
Court. That tribrnnl is not equal to the &C
casion. It BOWS to tue black surges cl Rad.
ical fanaticism. Ny only hope, and that lol
sangulne, is in q possible reaction among Ike
people of the North and the Northwest. Thcy
want the harmony Of the Union restored:
they, like ps, at !.cart, are attached to the
g.eaE rights Of sell: government; they age in
Il passion now, but that passion may subsidc
in time to save the constitution if, By reject.
ing lie Sherman scheme, We afford them an
opportunity TO rally. When freed i.cm It's
| uiiua'HSo ibiitShCSJ tHSJ WI scC III: H'IHetI
for that power which will crush us Will iu-
volve them in consequences fatal to al tllsir
interests. This great issue must go Gc.o.o
them, in their next elections, and icsi.0 s;.s
it shall not be closed against US by Cur cot
sent to the chains forged for US. Fit can be.
fairly preseoted, they may say 10 the ang:y
sea, lhus far shalt tkoo 60 and DO farther
They may cleanse tie Augcan stable. purge
the statute book, and restore the admiaiStra.
ton to irs ancient landmarks. II not, noih-
ing will Le left US but acquiescenca in tAa
sad necessity Of our condition. Then, ant.
not till then, may be inscribed upou the the" ton.r
of constitutional nal liberty, %1iium FIJI ,5sa" -
LIE: us be firm, calm. selfpoiacd ard uni
ted-.prepared 70, every aspect of the inln.c
trusting in God as Our only wisdom, guide
and protection.