The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-05-15

the couuuCI VI Ine miGo SUterb III LnlS otlc 6uBut
to do with,d this question Of negro suf
frage:fse Bs opposing a Convention, the negro!
might bedc barredthe privilege, for a short while
under thesstnctionof of State authority. Bul would
copgress:yield the pont In truth. nj gat ez-
peot;the military commander to interposs his l. un-
limited power, and directly establish political
equality for the negro, and'at the. same time dis
franchise thousands of white men who. are now
allowed to direct and control public opiniot'.
But what does Gov. PERRY advise? The people
must vote, against a-Convention, according to his
theory in order 70 prevent the surrender OF poht-
ical power into the hands Of the negroes Now
we have entertained the opinion that it was neces
sary to vote in favor of Convention for t,e pur-
pose of retaining this political power in the hands
Of the whites, who are the owners of the soil and
the capitalists of the country. There is not the
shadow of doubt in regard to this Convention
being held The negroes will exercise the elective
franchise in choosing members for that CONVEX
tion The entire negro vote will determine che
question of its being held and the course of Gov.
PERRY is destined to stray the blacks against the
whites, and produce that very disorder and confn-
sion necessary to strengthen the influence of Rad
ioal emssaries, and bring upon the State all the
mischief and oppression Sc eloquently foretold by
the ex-governor. The numerical minority of
white voters. deprived of the services Of their
ablest men, cannot afford to begin with opposition
| to the measures of Congress- and downright re-
fusal to recognize the actual conditioned the coun-
try. The Ex-Governor might call this an indirect
appeal to .that dastardy virtue called prudence"
but it is in keeping with the advice rendered by
himself in the days of secession. when he told the
people that they were not strong enough enforce
their demands, and therefore should acquiesce in
the consequent result.
Ee also thinks it ibeter-far bctter--to remain
as you are, under the military rule of your con-
querers and await theiHreturning sense ofjustice"
If we could remain under a. mild administration of
miiitary rule, and not be subject to change of
rulers perhaps it might be best to accept the
counsel of Gov: PERRY, and voluntarily prefer the
despo.ism which sweeps away law with single
stroke Of the pen; and irwhose hands are centered
the lives of oil the subjects! But we are destined
to witness reconstruction, underline proposed plan
of Congress, whether or not the. white voters of
South Carolina participate in its. execution: Not
only did Congress intend constmmation OF their
purposes but Gen. SIcKrEs is disposed to further
the progress Of reconstruction uniIer this plan, and
we will have it (! The only question for those not
disfranchised to consider, is whether not they
are willing to- supncly loosen their grasp upon po
ltical power, and allow it quietly pass into the
hands of anignorant race, whose legislation might
be directed for the sake of spois and plunder.
AS to a s.returning sense of justice" we will
claim that its inspiration will be doubly quickened
by spirit Of acquiescence and submission'to the
destiny we cannot avert and by an earnest demon
stration that this people not contumacio,ls and
rebeliousy inclined. The opposition of Governor
PEnnY will have the contrary effect, if adopted by
the State, and persisted in by the mass of white
voters The grounds upon which this legislation
of Congress is based, and upon which the Radical
party have gone before the Northern people, are
simply disIoyalty and eontumacy. This returning
sense of justice" will not be promoted, unless we
compel recognition by our actions of the desire
for reconstruction in the Union. Opposition and
obstinate refusal to assent to the demands made
upon us, will establish the belief that the premises
were true, and that the people are disloyal and
disaffectcd.
We will notice one other point in this letter of
the ex-Governor and for the purpose OF endorsing
the opinion expressed. He says ''there is no dan
ger of conhscation by Congress" j" and we agree
I with him. There might be danger of wholesale
plundcring, in the name of law, we're the Southern
people to strongly resist the power by which they
are governed; and We regret to add, that the ad-
vice of Gov. p. tends to produce resistance and
opposition to that power. But if the South goes
forward under this reconstruction basis, Congress
will be deprived Of this shadow of excuse, and will
.haye some regard for the opinion of the world"
But in any event. we do not sanction the idea that
con6scation is compelled to ensue. Neither do
we urge the people to vote for. Convention, in
order to avoid the cry of Glands for the landless"
and ..homes for the homeless" The deluded fol-
lowers of Republican emissaries may set up this
wntch-cry all over the South, but if the whites
prove cautious and prudent in their action, such
consequences win never ensue. Much, very much,
depends upon the course of Carolinianss at this
| time The opportunity is given to inaugurate o
"bloody coatest" by arraying ono race against the
other in the outset of this political epoch in our
history. The advice of Gov. PERRY is calculated
to ALLEVIATE the negro from his former master, and
create spirit Of enmisy and animesity between
the races If the white neighbor denies to bin
that privilege extended By stranger, and which
will be enforced at every hazard, it is not strange
or singular that the negro should look with suspi-
cion upon his neighbor and adopt the principles of
another cline. This is the tendency of springing
opposition to these measures at this~ time We
must look the consequences in the face, and deter
mine our action by prudence, even though it be o
@dastardly virtue in the estimation of Gov. PERRY.
Finnllu IL may not be amiss to direct the public