Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-09-06

ellis OF the intellect. the experience, thej G.
wisdom and the patriotism, which, in times t
past, gave her lustre that, instead Of these
noble qualities and virtues, she commits v
her political destnies to the guidance Of a
ignorance, inexperiencc, folly and radi T
calism that she adopts a constitution dis G
franchisipg forever the men who, in obeying
her command to defend her, believed that
they were serving God that she
| Buys-ignominious purchase-short repose,
w ith dying curses and the groans Of those
| That served and loved, aud put in her their ,
| trust"
Suppose sho does all these thing, and that
the radicals then graciously permit her to
send her representatives to Washington,
from what class will she select tho men
who are to ill the places once honored by
Lowndes, Calhoun, McDuffie, Preston,
Cheves, Hayne, Huger, and their glorious
compesrs9 Tho Same body which has
shown such wisdom and magnanimity in
framing these Reconstruction Acts that
are to bring so many blessings in their
train, gives you the answer in tue following
Act of Congress:
81. Hereafter any person elected or ap,
) pointed TO any Office of power or profit |
under the Government of the United States, |
either in the civil, military or naval de-
partments of g." public service, excepting
: the President OF The United States, shall,
before entering upon the duties Of such Of
fee, and before being entitled to any of
the salary or otller emoluments thereof,
take and subscribe tho following oath: I
= do solemnly swear, that have never vol
UNFAIRLY borne arms against the United
States since have been a citizen thereof;
: that have voluntarily given no aid, coun-
}, tenance, counsel or encouragement to per-
SONS engaged in armed hostility thereto:
IS that have neither sought, nor accepted
:, nor attempted to exercise, the functions Of
II any Office whatever, under any authority
u or pretended authority in hostility to the
e United States; that have not yielded
10 voluntary support TO any pretended Gov
ernment, authority, power or constitution
III within the United States, hostile or mimi
at cal thereto. And do further swear, that
= 70 the best of my knowledge and ability, 1
at will support and defend the Constitution OF
IN the United States agsinst.all enemies, for
Sc eign and domestic; that I will bear true
es faith and allegiance TO the same; that
,g take this obligation freely, without any
lst mental reservation or purpose Of evasion
wv and that will we'll and faithfully discharge
cl, the duties of the office On which AN
all about to enter-so help me Godl Ant
en- any person who shal! falsely take the sni'
on oath shall be guilty Of perjury, and o,
on conviction, in addition to the penallie
Try now prescribed for that offence, shall b
ost deprived Of bis office, snd rendered incapa
bo bic of ever after holding any Office orplac
be under the United States"
" Is representation in Congress so yer
gin desirable, that we should send men the,
My who can take that oath, rather than tb'
as we should remain unrepresented longer
ern Can the people Of the State trust tho
ad- who could or who would take ita Fl
ary the honor of our State, should pref
BIZ that she should not be represented in Il
uu- halls of Congress until her delegates CT
rho, enter them as free men, representing so'
vo- ereign State, with al: her "dignity, equali
gret and rights unimpaired." When that d.
Jade comes, there may be restoration of t
] SO Union in fact, as we'll as in theory; VIII
the North aud South, forgiving the past, ev
been il they cannot forget II, may meet
o be EQUALS on some common grounds, VIII
lari- tie honor, the rights and. the feelings
tural both can be recognized and respected. I
naRe until that day does come, in the words
with Patrick Henry, "Gentlemen may cry pea'
tion. peacel but there is no peaee"
yet Il is searcsly necessary for ME to
o'n- that, entertaining the views I have expr'
'es Of ed, I think It far preferable the. 81
Tears should remain in its present conditi
vie under military rule, than that It -aho
would give its; sanction to measures which
ceept believe to be Illegal, unconstitutional
snage ruiuous. It 10 my honest and firm pei
the'r that the voluntary acceptance of tn
reacn measures by our people " ould surely 3bs
rid As not only to the: South, but TO tile vi
tempt country: evils Gar greater than any We /
yet suffered. The North, flpshed with
OF the cess, and drunk with, power, may po'
Is di able to realize this fSatj kut rs surely al
ments South falls a victim to irse,ponsibis'
. hold unlicensed power, 50 surely ~iltthe n
prom. lose. its liberties. Ruin 70 The South
!, and react on tic Netth, and Il We .e,e eru
have. Tito the dust, the; Northern people vii
State but the f6resbadowing of uheira owe 20
inter doom. Recognize, as an established r
sDsia- ciple, the right Of any political party
three may be In tie akcsndancs ID fix upo
, 10 bel Who differ with lhsrh lsws ~ nnaaborizt
com The Constitution Of Tue United States,
g. - a q