The New York herald., 1868-02-09
THE soUru siRoL.sA STATE sexvEsns



Moderate Tsss Of she eCsssessiss-skesehes
suit Axninss the Mercary-The DRAFT Of the
New Cosstitssiea Nearly Reass-Tse Css-
vcstisa 10 Isssses % lss lAbsrs-Adstcs
from Wnshinsssu.
CHAKLseros. Jan. 7s.iscs.
1t cannot be denied that The proceedings Of the
Reconstruction Convention thus far have beea
marked by moderate and ccmmendsble course.
II IL true subject Of permanent nature Affect
ing the future constitution Of the State has come
up for discussion; but the sentiment developed
shows desre to harmonizc with the whites
This appears impossible. The very natural re.
pugnance OF the latter TO the elevation OF the
negro as legislator, fcstered by the three
daily papers Of this city, Is Of itself an
insurmountable obstacle. In addition 10 this
the whites believe the Convention 70 be
an unlawful asscmblage, kept in existence by the
military power. and that its legislation VIII not
stand. The extreme course OF the Mercury In its
sketches Of the members, descending TO person.
alitics, is extremely regretted by the old Caro-.
lnans, as tending to lower the character OF that
once high toned journal and cause q spirit Of
revenge to spring up between the two classes OF
the community which does not now exist. The
conservative disposition OF the President OF shs
Convention and The influence OF such men as Car.
doza, ain, Wbpper and De Large, the leading
coiored'members OF the body, have certainly had
beneficial effect. The scene Oh the floor In novel
one, particularly when taking the yeas aud nays
Oh any question requiring some cxiEa manGuyse
for its adoption. The whites may then be ssen
whispering and smiling with the blacks In happy
association. The latter. it may be remarked. very
seldom leave tucr seats. are c ose students OF
Cushing's and Jeferson's manuals and very ten.
lnu "A sly t.ftf
second time. One OF the ablest colored dele
gates is w. j. Whpper. who camc here with the
coored troops and aiter the war settled in Beaufort
3. c., as a lawyer. He Is exceedingly concise,
uses chaste and elegant language and T.
list ned 10 with the closest attention by the men,
bers His cose competitor Is +. L. Cardozs, q
native mulatto OF this city. The celebrated W. Is.
Nash ia of the most original characters, black
as darkness itself, but always tckles the sides Of
the crowd outside the railing, whom he keeps IN a
continual roar Of laughter while speaking. X. c.
De Large, native muiatto of this city, IA another
prominent character: one Of the best parliament.
arians in the body, but, rs Nash says, keeps the
floor entirely too much. X. III. Cain is u cOlored
clergyman, bard-working member and peace
maker dis influence Is very great.
Among the most conspicuous Of the whites IL
+. j. Moses, Jr., son OF Judge Moses, now pre-
siding over the Court OF General Sessions holding
its sittngs in this city. He is young man ol fine
abilities, much amb ton, and though cut by all
his former white associates has been snxicus to
show conservative course the part of the
Convention. He IL firm in his present faith and
hopes Of successful restoration OF the State to
the Union by the body Of which he is . member
The white visitors to the Convention have been
mostly military officers, Northerners and female
school teachers OF the Freedmen's Bureau.
The fight between young Msckey and the re.
porter OF she Mercury was an unfortunate affair
and has been the source Of much uneasiness to the
President, who disapproved OF the action OF his
son, particularly in attacking the reporter The
President regarded the latter as only the hired in
sfrument 1t is reported, on the best authority
that the President has entered suit against that
paper for slander, the Grand Master, DEPUTY
Grand Master and other officers Of the Grand Lodge
of Freemasons 0f this State in Office as the time
alluded 10 by the Mercury having voluntarily come
forward and stamped the assertion as false and
intended as q thrust at the Masonic Order With
DIR. Mackey's political views they say thcv have
nothing to do, but are jealous Of his honor Is
Mason, having been their teacher and Grand Sec
retary for twenty five years. The trial promises
to be OF the most interesting that has ever oc
CURED in this community.
The reporter Of the Mercury was excluded YES.
terday from the floor Of the house for fear Of
bloodshed. Ii was reported that friend Of the
reporter, who was seen to enter the hail, was OBJ.
served to have o drawn knife under his sleeve.
which gave rise 70 apprebensions Of . serious dis
turbance.
On Monday the Committe on Review and Con.
soldation will be ready TO report the new consti.
tuition. The night sessions will then be held and
the work hurried through ~ rapidly as possible
This IL In accordance WI instructions from Wash.
ington. letter from there was read in caucus
last evening urging the nemberB to hssten in order
TO get the representatives from this State M
Congress and complete the work Of reconstruc ion
before the Supreme Court will have the opportu.
nifty Of deciding on the consttutonsiity OF the Re.
construction acts.