The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-08-24
The Last Appeal.

,'s2hNnR.The Last Appeal. =
| We have been informed that in some parts
bfthis District not moro than two-thirds of the
white citizens, who arc entitled to register,
have done so. TO all such, We desire to pre-
sent a few cogcnt arguments; and we hope
they will consider we'll, before they rccklessly
part with the privilege of voting: perhaps for
ever.
Did it ever occur to them, that in any scheme
of conliscation which may como i'll the future,
it is probable that registered voters will be
among those who will be excepted It will not
be consistent in Congress to allow man to cx-
ercise the privileg, Of voting which is re-
cognition that he is a a proper citizen, i'll spite
of his having cugagcd i'll the war and then
after giving him the right to vote. to take away
his property. Depend upon it, if any scheme
of confscation is adopted, it will be against the
same classes that Congress has already dis
franchiscd, aud probably in addition to those.
Congress will include those who, being entitled
to register, have failed to do SO.
Besides, n Radical Convention meets, all IL
adopts a Constitution. that will fix the oualf-
cations Of voters for the future in South Caro-.
lima, Suppose the rolls of registered voters
furnish the foundation for those qualifications;
will not those who have refused to register feel
the sad consequences of their obstinacy, when
perhaps their votes might avert oppressive
taxes from their lands ?
Again, tor return to this matter Of conlisca-
ton. In our District the rules adopted by
tn Boards i'll permitting or preventing regis
tration, arc about as liberal us could be expect
Jed. Suppose Congress passed law that those
who arc DISTINGUISHED should suffer the loss of
their lands by confscation, or should endure
some other penalty, would not the fact Of hay
ing failed to register be strong argument
against man, under the charge of being sub
ject to con6scation7 And is it not better that
a man should ohtain,th decision, Of. the Board
in his faF orr ifhe.can' do, So? sse.l;. ;t .d
+ Perhaps some of our follow-citizcns imagine
that they arc disfranchised, when they are not
Some persons think that they arc required to
take an oath; that they have never participated
i'll the rebellion. That is not So No one is
required to swear that he has not participated
in the rebellion; but the oath required is, that
he is not DIsFRANcIIsED because he has par
ticipatcd in the rebellion Now, q man may
lave been in rebellion for five years, and fought
against the government of the United States
with all his might; and it is nothing unless
|he has been disfraucAiycol on account of it.
And no one can bo disfranchised in this State,
unless he was member Of Congress, or of the
Legislature, Or an executive or judicial officer
before the war. and afterwards took some de-
Icidcd action in the war against the United
Estates or unless he has been guilty Of an in
famous crime
So come out and register, and take some in
tcrest in matter Of the most vital importance.
True, the odds seem heavy against the cause
Of truth and ofright 8 but let us to tho issue
boldly, doing our duty faithfully, and leaving
the rest to God. Good helps them, who help
themselves"