The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-30
The Various Issucs.
HOPE STATION, May 27, 1867.

some care and interest the letters OF
ex-Gov. Perry on the political situa-
ton of our State. They had the
greater weight on me on account Of
our former political affinities and
sympathies, and because of my ad-
miration for his cultivated talents and
manly efforts to preserve his consist
ency and maintain his personal honor.
There are many things which he
utters which meet with acceptance;
but, on the point of voting "Conven-
ton" or "No Convention" there arc
just grounds for difference of OPT
Mon. Great and grave questions are
involved in this decision. Our situa-
tion is new and critical one, and it
must be met in some form. Now,
what is the best form for which to
struggle? Here lies the rub, and it
becomes every citizen to think seri-
ously on this matter, and wake up to
an energetic discharge of his duty.
Confiscation and its concomitants
come in view of all parties concerned.
Stevens bill, offered already to Con-
gress, is to be considered Mt the regu-
lar session, i'll December next. He
regards it IL mild one in its provi-
slons; and so it is, when we consider
the extreme feelings of it's author.
I do not dread this so much, as it is
comparatively mild, and may not be-
come q law. We are advertised
through the papers that the general
and peaceable acceptance of the plan
OF reconstruction proposed no,o by
Congress, will surely defeat the mea-
sure there. This is in the future and
is to be put on trial. If the outside
States reject this plan of reconstruct
ton, and continue to struggle for
their former constitutional status on
the suffrage question, arhere is the
chance or hope Of success? Will the
party in power, struggling for lease
of power for years to come, yield
their position, or meet us on milder
or compromise grounds? Will the
Democratic party be able or willing
to do anything for us in this direc-
ton? No! To get better terms [
believe to be utterly hopeless.
We will notice next the work of
reconstruction in progress in the
State, and the probable results. The
machinery for the registration of the
voters, and for holding the forthcom-
ing elections, will be put in operation
in due time, by our citizens or
strangers. All the counsellors of the
people see the Importance of urging
those who can to register, and not bV
dsfduh disfranchise themselves. But
Mr.. Perry, then, counsels to vote
"No Convention, as q remedy against
confiscation and its concomitants, by
State conventions and legislatures.
l propose different logic of reason
ing, on the admitted facts and
grounds of danger, on this branch of
the general subject. He assumes
that the newly made class of voters
numbers go, 600, against 40, 0,O00wMtes.
Upon trial, this may prove n mistake,
II all register who, we think, are not
disfranchised. OF the number, really,
no one can yet be certain. But, for
the sake of the argument, admit the
correctness of the estimate, and then
add to it his other assertion: "They
are going to enfranchise 60, 900 black
votes, and surrender the political
power Of the State into the hands OF
the negroes. What avail will 10000
white votes have in South Carolina
with this watch-cry (confscation)
ringing at the polls? There are
thousands of unprincipled white men
among us who will unite their destiny
with the negro for the sake Of the
spoils and plumber" Alas! can this
be so? do not want to think of it.
Suppose these statements to be all
true. Does it leave any possible
chance to defeat the results predicted
and to be dreaded by us, by attempting
10 rote "No Conrention?" L hold that
the assumed 10000 new voters will
be urged to register, and acU register,
which enfranchises them already.
Nor do 1 think that many of them
can be persuaded not to vote for n
convention. Many achiteS will also
register, land all who can should,
and majority of them, L assume,
will vote Convention. 1t is impos-
sible to prevent favorable vote for
q convention. What, then, are the
non-registered and non-voters to gain
by their default? Better look to con-
sequences here. Even if the call of
n convention could be defeated, could
the State gain anything by it, espe-
cially as we believe all the other States
will vote for conventions? In view