Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-10-02
whose interests were SO long con6ded to my
charge, nor is their prosperity matter of in
difference to the people of the United States
or their Representatives in Congress.
5... DANIEL E. S1cKLEs.
The Real Meaning of the Reconstruc-
ton Acts OF Congress-.


I;.i ---e'
The Real Meaning of the Reconstruc-
tion Acts OF Congress.
The Round Table, an able and vigorous
weekly journal, which has been steady sup
porter of conservative republicanism. is paint
ing in dark colours the effects of Radical
rule. 1t says:
The plain meaning of the pseudo-Recon-
struction acts of Congress, now being pushed
10 their most merciless consummation, is SIM
ply this; Frst-To register in the South the
entire negro population and such whites as
may unite with them in supporting the Radi-
cal party in Congress. Second-To prohibit
the registration of the vast majority Of the
whites who have real interest in the quiet
and prosperity Of the country. Third-To
submit to the voters of the States thus regis
tered the question whether they will or will
not hold convention for the reconstruction
of their States under the Congressional plan.
Under this mode of procedure it may be seen
what hopeful future lies before the South
and the whole country. Either the States
will vote + co3vcrtion or no convention.
The white vote will be largely cast. against
convention; for the present military rule,
with all its disadvantages, at least affords pro-
tecion, while reconstruction such as has been
perpetrated in the State of Tennessee gives
little protection but to negro brigands. The
Radical whites and the negro voters who are
interested in subverting all decent rule and
authority will of course unite in favour OF
convention. Now, supposc-although the
case is hardly possible-that the convention
lis BY such mockery of suffrage rejected.
Then the Radicals will avail themselves OF
the cry of Southern contumacy; Mr.. Stevens
"mld confiscetior' is brought into play the
South is wholly ruined by THIS villainous
.atrocity for merely saying, as our generous
Congress has invited her to say, that size pre-
f.rs the rule Of military satraps to The harder
rule Of fu;nstructed negroes and white bravos.
On tie other hand, suppose-and this is the
only supposiiion justified by the registration
which is being rnade-that convention is
desired. Then it is practically negro Con-
rcntion. 1t will frame constitution that
will throw tie whole power of the State into
toe hauds Of the negroes and white men who
hope to profit by the suiIragcs Of tic negroes.
The prescription Of white men Will be more
sweeping than Congressional prescription.
Couhscation Of the property of white men by
their negro rulers will be sure to foil w ;iand
the indirect coniiscation will be more des!ruc'
live than coafscalion outright. The ruling
class, having no property themselves, vii
look upon tie transfer Of their subjects prop
erty in!o their own possession as the one grea'
end Of government. With p=nniiess negro
Lcgis ,atu!e 10 tax, and def,nceIess white mel
to be taxed, the issue cannot 'long De doubt
tul. In every county laxes will be laid IL hl
same way by negroes upon white men. II
the towns and cities negro councilmcn WI
vote themselves .arge salaries, Create ui'necee
sary offices for purposes Of puI'der, and t'l
like ends undcrak. enormous jobs of isnc
full public improvement. Justice adunisterct
by negro magistrates will be a farce; re;fes'
Of wroags will be impossible. Liberty Q
cutragc will be amply secured. The libert,
Of death will lie the Only liberty secured tt
men whose crime is that they were borI
white.