The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-04-11

the game of humbug d good one, and
wish to monopolize,it. Shonld YOU
trust them? No; Tsay no.
Now, my friends, what is this Con
stitution that has. been adopted for
you, and which it is desired should
be thrust down the throats of us all /?
Is there anything in it that your old
friends would not do as we'll for you,
were it left to them? No, certainly
not. One of the main points are free
schools. Now, as O member of the
Democratic party, would advocate
Just as liberal system of education,
for 1 know that by it, alone, you can
arrive at a position to properly ap-
preciate and enjoy the new change
that has come over your race. An
other is but bait thrown ont to the
poor and needy, in the law about q
homestead. Now, let me ask you,
have any of your late eleven dollars
per day delegates told you of the
treachery in this law? What was the
necessity of legislation with reference
to relief? You hno,D-'ce all kno,o-
how poor the country has been left
by the terrible. drain on us by the
war. It was relief from the past that
we wanted; it was some Legislation to
help put US all on our feet again that
was required. Does this Constitu-
tion give it? No, it does not. It
has passed n homestead bill looking
to the future only; it does no good
to the poor man who is now oppress-
ed with debt. 1t is mere bait thrown
out-promises something, but giues
nothing. Another thing; the taxa
ton that is imposed, is such that
none. of you, who, by honest labor
and industry have earned and gained
homestead, will be able to keep it..
The taxes will take it from you. You
all know how land has fallen in value.
Now, when land alone has to pay al
most the entire expenses of the 60
vernment of the State. how can it be
paid? 1t will be said that it will
then be cheap. and you can all buy
what you want. This may be so.
But will you be able to keep it? No;
taxation will soon swallow it mp, and
you will be ruined by the stupid
legislation of your $11 per day men,
who have sowed the thorns for you to
gather Another reason, and the
main one, ,chy we oppose this Consti-
tuition, is this: 1t is far easier to avoid
m evil than to correct it after it is
done. Now, this Constitution, il
adopted, will do much harm before
anything can be done to amend OF
change it. Mere local laws or legis.
lative action are easily amended,
when found to work badly; but to
change Constitution is no easy o,
light matter, unless we are prepared
to do as the Republican party North
has done-shut our eyes, drown oul
consciences, and gulp down any and
everything for party good.
Now, my friends, one more appeal
to you, and I am done. Come with
us; stick to the old friends yon have
been raised with-who have been
kind to you, and who now offer you
the hand of friendship and of justice
whose prosperity is yours. Stick
to them, I say, and all will be we'll
Desert them and go with these new
and false friends, who only lead you
to ruin for their own ambitious ends
and you will widen the breach thai
God only knows what can close it.
Are ace, the white citizens Of the
State, to work hard to give labor ani
employment, to give food and wages
to those who oppose and work
against us? Never, never! do no
threaten you-but / advise you a.
friends to pause and reflect well OIL
the consequences. Do You expco
me to employ and aid those who
band together against me and mine
TO stint myself, as I have often done
(of the very necessaries Of life,) tt
be able to do q kind act or help
suffering friend? If you believe this
you will be mistaken. 1 speak fol
myself and for the people generally
and should the evil councils of YOU
r.