The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-14
The Duty of Registration.

A committee appointed by meeting OF the cltl-
zens of Savannah sometime ago, issued an address
to the voters Of that city, from which we make
the following extract, which applicable here, as
we understand that some young men, and perhaps
old ones, too, do not intend to register. We ad-
wise such to read the following reasons put forward
by the Savannah Committee
Many Of you, we learn, intend declining to re-.
gister your names, from impulses springing out OF
sentiment and individual pride-mpulses which we
appreciate and respect, but which we think un.
practical and delusiye, and calculated to distract
your attention from your obvious duties and re-
sponsbihties.
You shrink from what you consider persona
humiliation, in consenting to submit to the dlota-
ton Of those who now WELD the power Of the Cen
eral Government and who choose to exercise 1t
despotically.
We entreat you to discard these feelings, and to
accept our calmer judgment and counsel IN this
matter.
We agree with you in condeming the Acts which
Congress has passed but we do not acknowledge NJ
that there s any voluntary humiliation In assert
ing the rights allowed to US by them.
Granting that the Acts under consideration are
unconstitutional, arbitrary and unjust; that they
violate established principles Of political night,
and wantonly force the safeguards Of social free
tent judicial tribunal, they are the laws Of the
land in which We live. You can 'accept the stua-
tion" with dignity and without sacrifice Of self
| respect. = s'' '-.
The war is over; the issues upon which it was
waged have been decided against us. You have
| still devolves upon you. The question now IS,
how to restore our State to peaceful position OF
prosperity and Of political freedom. To this end
Georgia needs and demands the aid OF an
her sons. The only way in which you can render
that aid is by qualifying yourselves to be voters
at the coming election. You can do that only by
registering your names under the provisions OF
the military acts. In no other way can you as
sumo your true positions and grasp once more the
power which is your brth-right.
If you hold back now and refuse to register, con-
slider what may be the consequences Of your mac
ton, and the responsibilities that will rest upon
you.
very few votes may decide the preponderance
of power at the next election, What fearful con
tingencies are involved IN that simple sugges-
ton? 4!
II You refuse to register, you deprive yourselves
Of the opportunity OF voting for or against con-
vention, and FOR or against the constitution Whlcn
that convention may adopt
IF YOU refrain from qualifying yourselves to be
voters, what guarantee have you that the conven-
| ton may not frame constitution for your State
that will, on the very ground Of your default dis
franchise yourselves and your sons forever.
Why should you disdain to exercise the rght o. o.
suffrage, which has always been yours, because 1t
| has also been conferred upon others-when there
is more need now than ever before that you should
assert itf
Many Of you who will read this address have
served your State faithfully in the field, under the
honest conviction that yon were simply doing
your duty, You hare carried that honor which
duty sincerely undertaken and earnestly per,
formed, always confers. But other obligations to
That State still remain to be fulfilled, in order
to complete your record Of trust faithfully dis
charged. .;a oh,
stand more in need Of the united and unfalterne
energy and devotion of her sons in her behalf.
Immolate upon her altar all selfish 1ddas, Every
duty is stern. Every duty demands some sacrl'
6ce of interest or Of feeling. He is worth nothing
to bis frie nds or his country. who is not willing TO
| make such sacrifice at the demand OF duty:
Yoa fearlessly exposed your lives in aefenee o. o
your State. win you hesitate now, when she ui =
e neompassed by new and fearful dangers to rally
to her aid when she once more calls upon you
| for support ba,ove
| Friends We have shown you what Ye Dene'e
to be your duty in the present emergency. .o ,,o,
Wo entreat yop to hesitate no longer; ;h 70 9b ,oi
upon the situation ss practical men, IN tle ~ nsh R
Of reason and common sense; and TO assert " Wy
full extent all the rights you possess,