Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-09-11

same body which has shown such wisdom
and magnanimity in framing these Recon
struction acts that are to bring so many bless
ings in their train, gives yon the answer in
the following act of Congress:
~. 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 departments of
the public service, excepting the President
Of the United States, shall, before entering
upon the duties Of such Office, and before be-
ing entitled to any of the salary or other
emoluments thereof, take and subscribe the
following oath: Il do solennly swear, that l
have never voluntarily borne arms against the
United States since have been a citizen
thereof; that l have voluntarily given no
aid, countenance, counsel or encouragement
to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto;
that have neither sought nor accepted, nor
! attempted to exercise, the functions of any
Office whatever, under any authority or pre-
tended authority in hostility to the United
States that have not yielded a voluntary
| support 10 any pretended government, au-
thoorrity, power or constitution within the
United States, hostile or inimical thereto.
And do further swear, that to the best OF
my knowledge and ability, 1 will support
and defend the Constitution of the United
States against all enemies, foreign and do
mestic; that will bear true faith and allie
glance to the same; that take this oblga-
tion freely, without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; and that will well
and faithfully discharge the duties of the
office on which I am about to enter-so help
me God And any person who shall falsely
take the said oath shall be guilty of perjury,
and on conviction, in addition to the penal.
ties now prescribed for that offence, shall be
| deprived of his office. and rendered incapable
of ever sncr holding any office or place un-
der the United States"
BETTER NO REPRESENTATION THAN FALSE RE-
y'. PRESENTATION.
Is representation in Congress so very de-
sirablc, that we should send men there who
can take that oath, rather than that we should
remain unrepresented longer? Can the peo
fple of the State trust those who could or
who would take it? For the honour of our
l'S,ate, l should prefer that sheshould not be
represented in the halls of Congress until
llher delegates can enter them as free men, re-
presenting sovereign State, with all her
i.dignty, equality and rights unihipared."
When that day comes, there may be restora-
ton of the Union in fact, as we'll as in theory;
when North and South, forgiving the past,
even if they cannot forget it, may meet as
cqnnls on some common ground, where The
honour, the rights and the feelings OF both
can be recognized and respected. But until
that day does come, in the words of Patrick
Henry, "Gentlcmen may cry peace peace
but there is no peace"
coyTINugD MILITARY RULE BETTER THAN VOL
~. oCEBrANeR-YoTE~AGAIN AINsTs sCoHs:
vENTIoN.
It is scarcely necessary for me to say that
entertaining the views have expressed,
think il. far preferable the State should re-
main in lis present condition, under military
rule, than that il should give its sanction to
measure, which we believe TO be illegal, un
cunstitu ioual and ruinous. 1t is my honest
and firm belief that the voluntary acc ptancc
OF these measures by our people would sure
| ly bring, not only TO the South, but TO the
whole country. evils far greater than any We
have yet suffered. The North, flushed with
success, aud drunk with power, may not be
able 20 realiz. This fact; but rs surely as the
South fails yic'm 10 irre>pous bic and un
licensed Dower 81 surely xi the North lose
lis liberties Ruin 10 the Sou'h vii! react Oh
the North, and il We are crushed into the
dust the Northern pccple will See but the
foreshadowing oil their own Certain doom
RecopniZe. as an established principle. the
right Of ..nv political parry that may be in
tnn ascandtncv TO iix upon all who differ
with them laws Unauthorized by the Con-
stituiion of the United States, and we Shall
begin that downward career %hich will lead
u steadily thrcush confusion, anarchy and
blood 10 the certain overthrow of republican
institutions and free government. Believing
this. | regard i! tie duty Of every man, in the
exrrc-c OF the right accorded to all by these
military bills, to oppose their adoption by az
lawful means AS the people have the prlvil
ege, thea, If expressing either assent Or dis
sent ON his qne,'rr. advise them, earncst-
!. 10 reco..i II. lq,or A. 'nlly and soemniy
"a, pes.,no L.t cray nm 'cWster, ond cast
hi< tot. "y,iraf tie era're.to". since the cues
.,ia. WI b.. IN "a. -. a.>-';'.
These. r.n'..a-i. a. 20 c1ncluaious 20
/ which | nave rrca 1r ugr' by the most anx-
ious consideration Of iii ,e Important mat
tiers soon to be- submitted u tie people OF the
S,ate.'' They have beer laid belure you at
greater length than | intended, bit i; seemed
to ME best 10 let you have my premises, as
well as my conclusions, in order that you
might Judge Of The correctness OF both. can
only declare that have discussed this mo-
mentous question with the single desire to
arrive at the truth, and hope that 1t has a.
least been discussed in temperate and dis
passionate spirit. Let me bring one other
subject, suggested by your letter, to your
consideration, aud shall tax your patience
no further.
WHITES AND. DLAcKs.
You say, truly, that, as we'll as yourselves,
have hoped and striven for entire harmony
of aclion among otr people" 1t has been
my most earnest desire to secure this harmo-
nv as it has been my constant effort 10 allay
| excitement. aud 10 counsel obedience to the
laws. This has hcen the prevailing sentiment
among our people, and il it fails OF its object,
it sill not bc our fault.
As il is Of the last consequence to main
tain the same amicablo relations which have
heretofore existed between the whites aud the
blacks, cam too strongly reiterate my.
counsel that all classes should cultivate har-
mony and exercise forbcarance. Let our
people remember that the negroes have, as
general rule, behaved admirably, and that
they are in no manner responsible for the
present condition of affairs Should they, in
the future, be misled by wicked or designing
men, let us consider how ignorant they ne
cessarily are, and let us, only the more, try
to convince them that we are their best
friends. Deal with them with perfect JUS
tce, and thus show that you wish to promote
their advancement and enlig ghtenment. Do
tb;s ond tho neproes. will not only learn to