The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-12-17
WASHINGTON, December 9.

request because thought the time was
not propitious. The passions engender,
ed by the presidential election did not
permit calm consideration of events.
The election of General Grant settles
much of the past, and opens new fu-
ture to us. General Grants election
is the ratification by the people of uni
versal suffrage, subject to the fourteenth
constitutional amendment, and estab-
fishes the legality Of The existing State
organizations South, which have grown
up under the Reconstruction Acts of
Congress Such being the case, L
think our people ought to accept these
results as accomplished facts. The elec-
ton of General Grant means yet more.
The conviction exists North, with
the majority of the people, that
opinion is not free South, and that the
political action of both whites and blacks
is subject to durcss, proceeding to the
extreme, in some instances, of actual
violence and even political assassina-
tions.
The election of General Grant is the
protest of'the North against this alleged
condition Of affairs, and means that all
the power of the Federal Government
will be exerted to put it down. 1t is the
danger arising out of this matter, which
strikes me as the most alarming cir
cumstance of our political future. Un-
less this condition of things is suppress
ed by the voluntary action of the SOUTH
ern States, the most decided measures
will, think, be resorted to by the Fed
eral Government to cure the alleged
evil; and General Grant, as President,
will, | have no doubt, enforce these
measures Of repression energetically,
with military force. This would natur-
ally produce more revolution South,
and its results might be series of the
most deplorable consequences.
In view of this state of things, |
think it is a matter of the greatest im-
portance, that the Southern States
should make the utmost exertlons to
remove all alleged causes of complaint
on this subject, and thus anticipate and
render unnecessary the action of the
Federal government.
As additional inducement to this line
of action on your part, I would remark
that what you want, above all other
things, at the South, is internal harmo-
ny. IF you had this, you would receive
a large influx of white population
and capital. This would be of incalcu-
liable benefit to you, both in its influence
on your material interets, and as rcliev-
ing you from universal suffrage.
The obstacle to your receiving this
population and capital now, is the ap.
prehension which exists as to the au-
archihal condition of our society. 1t
is striking fact, that both the great
political parties of the country, have
thought it to their interest to represent
Southern society as in condition of
chronic insecurity and violence; the
Democrats, in order to show the evils
of universal suffrage; and the Republi-
cans, to illustrate the disloyal sentiment
ofthe people, and their consequent un-
fitness for any part in the control of
the Federal Government. Between
these two sets of representations, the
the movement ofpopulation and capital
to the South is almost entirely checked.
1t is your policy to have it believed,
that order reigns supreme South. Hence
you ought to do all in your power to
make order she fact, and to promul-
gate it. You should, I think, keep Sc
veral ideas prominently in view as your
policy.
l. You ought to regulate the rela-
tions between the whites and the blacks,
so as to have as much harmony and
good feeling as possible between them.
10 this end, nothing is so eficacious as
kindness to the blacks.
2. You ought to have perfect tolcr-
ance of political opinion. Let every
one, white and black vote as he pleases,
and trust to your tact and natural 'infu-
ence for just share of political pow
er.
3. You ought to extend cordial and
a kind welcome to the Northern people
to settle among you, without regard to
their political opinions. Once you did
this, the troubles of the future would
be largely overcome, and your material
progress would be wonderful. See what
Immigration is doing for the Northwest,
in spite of its austere Climate. Think
what immigration would do for the geni-
al South
4. You oughtto seek to conciliate Fed
eral Government. Remember the Scrip
ture injunction, "Agree with thine ad-
versary quickly" The Federal Gov
ernment for the present, and for years
to come, means the Republican party.
Do not wage frantic war against this
party. Remember that the Democratic
party is not strong enough now to be of
any service to you. BE calm and con-
ciliatory, and wait the course of events.
1t would be fortunate if you were in