The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-16

az q part of tho body polite by the convention,
which declared itself as possessed OF despotlc
and irresponsible authority, and, In every in
stance, refused to submit its proceedings, and
the constitution which it had framed, to tho
neonle for their ratification. This was but o
natural and necessary result OF tho Influences
of the political sentiment that then prevailed.
IL was but consistent that those VINO deemed
one-half of their fellow-cltlzens to be chattels
should forget or overlook the manhood OF the
other half.
But we, who in these days, when the rising
bea MS Of political TRUTH, promise, after SO
mnch storm, O brighter sky for the Republic,
we who are emerging from that cloud OF false
opinion into the full sunshine OF that truth,
know and claim ourselves to be only the repre-
sentatiycs of the people. We arrogantly as
sumo no final action, no irresponsible power,
recognizing the rights OF oil men, OF all races,
the Door as well as the rich, the ignorant as
we'll as the wse-of oil men who make the
State their home and identify themselves with
its interests. We dare not present to them an
organic law for their government, as some
ihing with which they have nothing to do but
to near il and obey. Our work here ls not to
be considered as completed until the people
shall have reviewed it and ratified it. Not we,
Ourselves. but they who sent us here, are to
saw whether we deserve tho reWarl ofa well
done. good and faithful servants" For the
first time in tho history OF South Carolina Will
the people be recognized as the true trainers
NJ their own organic law. or such conven-
tion. organized on the great acknowledged
PRINCIPLES Of Democratic Republicanism, am
nrond tn he a member; far more proud to Sit
here beneath the folds of that beloved flag
which is this day floating from our roof, than
T should have been to hayo been IN that other
body which met in this city IN lo6O, with no
such loyal symbol to protect 1t, but which
rather sought to tear it's stripes to tatters and
to dash it's stars to the earth.
Yielding to none in sentiments Of devotion
for that flag OF my fathers, and IN abhoTence
OF every sentiment Of dlsloyalty and treason to
that government, to which I owe paramount
alleriance. vet have no vindictivo feelings
towards those of my fellow-citizens who were
led by the distractions of their political lead
ers. to entertain different and opposing sentl-
ments-sentiments which I deemed errors,
but which they believed to be truths: grant
to them that liberty of thought which demand
for myself. Hence, profess myself to be
moderate man. I am opposed to all confiscations
of property, because the contiscatlon OF oil the
lands Of rebel owners in the State can have no
effect in promoting the welfare of that State,
in elevating it's political condition OF advancing
it's commercial and agricultural prosperity.
am opposed to any general disfranohlsemonto or
the masses OF people. Ii ls too late now to
disfranchise as q punishment for treason. Pun
ivhment should be inflicted for the sake OF re-
form. To inAico it now would be only to grail
fy revenge. WANT ne more disfranohisement
either ns to number Of persons, or as to dura-
tion of time than is absolutely necessary TO
secure the safety of the nation, and it that can
be secured by none at oil, then would favor q
general amnesty:
l call God to witness, that III taxing my seat
in this august body, do so only because de-
sire to contribute what littlo abilities or in
fueuce may have to the restoration OF peace
and harmony, and for tho establishment OF
such constitution or form Of government for
nv native State as will secure to every man IN
the commonwealth an equal share OF political
rights. will protect US in the future from the
errors which have led to our present unhappy
condition, and will speedily rohabilltate tho
State Us constituent part OF Tho great nation
oil confederation. -,
With this cxpro ,sion Of my sentiments, which
will not, however, control me in the important
administration OF the duties OF the Office to
which YOU have assigned me, nm Eow pre-
pared to take my place % your presiding OIL
Ger, at the same time invoking your indulgence
for INV unintentonal errors that may COM
n,it, and your earnest cooperation II, pso'erV-
ing the dignity ana decorum vf the BODY.
w. G.. Whipper (colored), OF Beaufort, Offer
ed the following resolution:
Resolued, That pending the appointment
md report Of the Committee on Rules, the
convention adopt and be guided by the rules
of the House of Representatives for its gov
ernment.
The resolution was agreed to.
On motion Of Il. G. DeLarge (colored), the
thanks of the convention were returned to Col
r. j. Robertson, for tho dignity and impartiali-
ty with which le presided over tho delibera-
tions of the body.
r. G. Holmes (white), of Beaufort, moved
that the convention proceed to the election OF
n acrctary by ballot.
Tic President announced that having adopt
ed tho rules OF tho House OF Representatives
as their guide, tho secretary must be clc"ted
paua uocc, unless tho rules werc temporarily
suspended. =
On motion of B. T. Whittemore, the rules
were suspended, and Carlos j. Stallbrand was
unanimously, by accamation, elected secretary
The new secretary, Us the reporter was in
formed, formerly occupied the position OF chief
of artillery under General Sherman, and was
himsclf.a najor-goncral Ill the Federal army.
N. &. Parker moved that the convention pro
coed in the same manner to the election OF as
sistant secretary, sergeant-at arms, assistant
scrgcant-at-arms, door-keeper, asslstant door
keeper and chaplain.
q. J. Moses, Jr., of Sumter, said that he was
opposed in toto to that part OF the resolution
which looked to the election OF chaplain. AS
Y II as ho was individually concerned !o was
opposed to the services of any chaplain, and
OPPOSED to having these proceedings opened
with prayer. That Truth which had Deen heid
so sacred in the past has beon OF ia'e 80 pros
tituted in all Legislative bodies, that ther3 was
a great probability it would lie prostituted
here, and instead OF prayers wo should have
simply political haranguos in the guise OF o
sacred invocation.
Furthermore, he held it to be incumbent
upon the delegates to have some respect for
tile Treasury OF the State. The people were
poor, and where there were 30 many cnap!ains
on the floor, he thought it unwlse and lnJu-
dicious to add to the expenditure to be en-
tailed upon the State by reason OF these de-
liberations.
B. T. Randolph (colored), of .Orangeburrg,
said he was strongly in favor OF the election
of chaplain, because it was the custom IN
Congress, in the legislature, and, as Tar as ne
was informed, in othor conventions which had
been held. -,
No one on this floor could possibly more
respect the Treasury OF the State than HIM
self, but he could not respect 1t 80 much Us 10
ignoro religion and overlook God.
L. s. Langley (colored), OF Beaufort, agreed
with the delegate from Sumter that thore were
cergymcn enough in the convention to open
the proceedings with prayer, without taxing
unnecessarily the treasury OF the State; and
he hoped Tint they would be patriotic enough
to discharge this duty to the convention and
tho State, without drawing eight dollars day
for their services.
r. Hurley (white), moved to strike from the
resolution the word select" and insert the
words ''shall be appointed by the chair"
The amendment was agreed to, and the
ounstion Occurring on the resolution as amend