The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-02-20

turn the crank and forthwith there rolls out q
stream ofmanuscript, which he cuts off to suit
his subject AID hearers. He read his epistola-
ry manufacture as usual yesterday, but it is 80
difficult to tell which side his apparatus favor
ed, that, from fear OF doing injustice to the
delegate from Lexington, we refrain from COM
nlitting him to the tender m ercies OF his con-
stituents. When we left the hall temporary
he was on q very tall fence.
,F.J. Moses, Jr., made the grand speech of
the day. Taking the broad ground that this
was q poor mans measure; that the circum-
stances of the hour demanded it; that it was
not retrospective in action; that ii 80, 1t was
nevertheless legitimate, viewed by the light
Of precedeJ.s and example; that its results
would be beneficial to all the people OF the
State; and, finally, that it would undoubtedly ell
sure the certain ratification OF the constitution
He held the convention for nearly three
quarters of an hour deeply interested in every
word that fell from his lips. 1t was inc ablest
speech made on that side of the subject; it was
made with feeling, and made with purpose;
it told synopsis would scarcely do the
speaker or his subject justice.
R. 3. Elliott (colored), moved the previous
question, and the main question was order ed.
J. Al. Rutland, as chairman of the Legisla-
tive Committee, was permitted, under the
rules, to speak fifteen minutes, and he used
the opportunity well. He planted himself
upon broad constitutional grounds, that the
proposed retrospective action was all wrong,
and the courts would so declare it. Appeals to
feeling would do very well in their place, but
upon such an important theme as this, lnvolv-
ing so much material interest, so many moral
obligations, so much of the honor OF men and
the honor of tho State, something more than
passion should be invoked to decide the ques-
ton The importance OF Homestead laa was
undeniable, and he would go as far as any
body in securing one whose effect would be
prospective; but come what might, whether
veal or VOC to himself, it should not 20 forth
to the country that as q lawyer and man he
had not done battle with all his power in be-
half of what he deemed right. just and true.
The question then recurred on the several
amendments, all of which were voted down ex-
cept the one offered BY Elliott, as above, which
was adopted.
third reading by vote of-yeas 1O2; nays T.
Those voting in the negative are j. ID. jerks
(white). Y. J. p. Owens (whltc), Charles M.
Wilder (colored), and B. f. Whittemore
(white).
Before voting Mr.. Whittemore assigned the
following reasons: vote mo because the
section is proclaimed to be Retrospective, and
because cannot support any project that
would commit violation of tho constitution
of my country. But am in favor OF just
Homestead act.
C. Nj. Wilder gave similar reasons before an.
nouncing his vote. The following is the list OF
abscntees, and oil tho remaining members OF
the convention voted AYE:
Arnim, Bonum, Chamberlin, Chestnut, Don
aldson, Humbird, Jackson, Jillson, Henry
Jones, George Lee, Neagle, Perry, Shrewsbury,
Francis E. Wilser.
The convention then adjourned.