The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-01-08
January g, 1867.

THE s. c.. CoMMIssIoNER.-Some weeks ago
it was reported that the South Carolina Legisla
ture had sent a Commissioner to Washington to
consult members of Congress and ascertain
whether or not South Carolina would be speedily
admitted into the Union if her Legislature adopt
ed the Howard amendment. 1t seems that the
rumor was correct in some respects. and in others
not exactly correct. judging from statement OF
South Carolina paper which we suppose speaks
knowingly. The Charleston Courier gives this
explanation of the matter:
1T appears that prior to the close Of the ses-
sion of our Legislature, large majority of the
members of the Senate consulted together as to
the propriety of sending q member Of that body
to Washington to confer with the President on
the probability of the State being restored to her
place in the Union. should she adopt the consti-
tutonal amendment.
After consultation it was decided that some
good might arise from the pursuance of such a
course. and one of their number selected for
the mission The gentleman selected Col.
S. G.. Wcatherby. Senator from the Marlboro
district. who Immediately proceeded to Washing
ton and sought an interview with the President.
Upon his arrival he found that the President was
occupied in Cabinet meeting. aud being olsen
gagged. he determined to make of his leisure
moments by obtaining interviews with the leading
Radical members of both Houses of Congress,
and conversng with them freely upon the subject
of the Constitutional Amendment. and the pros
poets of the admission of South Carolina to her
rights upon its adoption.
Colonel Weathrrby succeeded in making the
acquaintance of several of the leading Radical
Senators and Representatives. with whom he
converscd freely. and was assured by them that
the constitutional amendment the ultmatum
of Congress to the Southern States; that its adop-
tion by them would remove all obstacles to their
brIn nd tn fafip in
Colonel Wcatherby had subsequent inter
view with President Johnson, to whom he had
been informally drputizrd. We learn that the
interview with the President was of some dura-
ration, well "a free and candid. during which
lie expressed the hope that the Southern States
would rcmun firm in their position regards the
constitutional amendment. ard Stcadfa>rly reject
it. believing it t" b. advance step to the in
augurai"u of dcspotiSm. In doing thus, he
said, he hoped they would be- guarded in their
reasons assigned for its rejrctinn and av"iG any
language that might by any possible reasons be
tortured to give offence to the opposing party.
The President feels confident, from recent
decision given by the Supreme Court, that he
will be sustained by that law abiding body, and
that in short time returning sense of reason
will point out middle ground between the
Constitutional Amendment and tie projected ter
ritoria scheme. upon which our country may be-
come united, when peace will again smile upon
US with all its Dressings
We see in the Northern papers what purports
to be conversation between the President
and Mr. Eggleston. member of Congress from
Ohio. in which the President is represented
rather favorng the adoption of the Howard
amendment.
But it is scarcely worth while to talk about the
Amendment now-the Southern Legislatures have
settled the matter by refusing to adopt it. We
fear that the Southern States will now be forced
to submit to terms than the amendment
proposed.
70 We have received copy of The Land
we Love" for January. filled. usual, with in
teresting matter. We gratfed to learn that
Gen. Hill the Editor. has met with much success
in the publication of this work. He deserves it.
Mr. r. G.. Kerr. the Superintendent of the
printing establishment, and the printers and
prcsSmen do their duty well. as the mechanical
work of the Magazine shows.