The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-11

and determine to take no step. Aoain..
while the constitutional amendment Was
proposed to South Carolina as State, and
our own yolition in that capacity could be
exercised, opposed its adoption: but the
Aot OF Congress. recently passed, has as
| sumed that this country Is q CONQUERED
serlltory and We conquered people, and
consequently S;1.staa that that body has rightto
exists in that body to dictate those terms.
us Us secure for the next two years; and
when they place themselves souarely and
broadly upon that platform, 1 for one do
nOs phopose @ to 90 to the Supreme Court or
that power; but in good faith will accept
onf,i one rferms, ,humil'ating as they may be, and
openly, fairly and honestly urse their
auoP.i9n De1ore our people," Again, re.
marked: .n would, therefore, sag to ecery
dsstrdnchised, that as soon as be ,,,on..,. o,.~
order hds been issued, he should Droceed to
reg'ster hts name, and go to The poUs to note
tor me best man acho can be selected. 10 form
ttGG::'::!tJ can tiue.;' 0'' Po'-
Congress had taken the position that the
right belonged to that body, rather than
to the President, to fix the conditions unon
which the Southern States should be re-
admitted to the Union. Hence the peril
naclty with which they adhered to the Con
gresslonal plan, and hence the passage Of
the Act OF July, imposing still more strin-
| gent conditions than existed in the preced.
ing law Hence, also, the long, angry and
unfortunate controversy between the Pre-
sideht and Congress- quarrel in which
we have been the sufferers. For three LONG
years, re-admission into the Union and the
right or representation has been denied
us, and Congress having the power to en-
iorce their views, and the President being
not wise for the South to accent that which
promised the speediest restoration to a
representation in Congress? Although
many. of our citizens were disfranchised' a
sufficient number still were entitled to 90
fcia1 TO .he ositGtp4t, and being eligible to Of
the conventions by intelligence and virtue,
and moulded constitutions in all of The
southern States, under which both races
might have lived in harmony. was salts
ae1i ned .nat our material prosperity, the de-
ve!opment OF our resources and the resto-
ration of confidence and credit. could not
be secured until the political issues in
VOWED IN the question of reconstruction
were settled, and the representatives of the
south on the floor OF Congress could make
wrongs. Our capital had been swept aWay
by hundreds Of millions; large number
OF our young men-the flower Of the popu-
iatlon.had been killed in the war; all in
dustrial employments were either crippled
or broken up, and the widespread ruin
could only be repaired by inducing capi-
talists from the North and from Europe to
locate IN our midst, and bring With them
| thelr artlsans, merchants, mechanics
shlp,buildcre, and others whose labor is
wealth itself. The struggle which irlpo-
verlshed US made the North rich; and since
the formation Of the Government, capital
has never been so abundant or so ready to
embark in safe investments. Yet for three
long years both capital and emigrants
nave been deferred from seeking q resting
nIana n d..
partisan press for partisan purposes, have
represented the sonth as being still in
condition Of quasi rebellion. Life has been
declared to be insecure and property un-
certain. 1t was said that Northern men,
who had the temerity to seek homes in the
South, were set upon by ruthless mobs
| and murdered. Every species of epormity
was attributed to the Southern people to
subserve political and partisan ends. The
ehect OF such Misrepresentation upon us
have come to the State-a few adventures
looking to political promotion have rested
here; but a comparatively small number
have brought their capital and located
vi With the oona fde purpose Of identifying
themselves with the State and aiding her
people to rebuild their broken fortunes.
The appreciation in the value of the stocks
and bonds Of the State within a few
months past, furnishes conclusive eyi.
dence OF the correctness Of the opinion
.nac NOrtnern capltal would not be trusted
In the South unit; representation in Con-
Sress was consummated. In January last.
Sonth Carolina State stocks and bonds
were selling at twenty-five and twenty-five
cents on the dollar. Now, with restora-
tion assured, they are worth from sixty-
two to sixty-six cents on the dollar. In the
spring and summer Of 1867, money readily
commanded from two and half to three
per cent. per month. In the same market,
1t is now readily borrowed at from three
quarters to one per cent. per month.
Objectionable as the reconstruction Acts.
or the new constitutions, or the privilege
OF universal suffrage to the colored race,
may have been, was il not tho part of wis
dom, looking at the condition of affairs in
the material sense to which I have refer
red, and to the fact that the domination of
the bayonet could not be superseded by
| the judge and the jury-box, to nave ac-
cepted these obnoxious measures. con-
trolled as far as possible the conventions,
secured the best constitutions gained re-
admission into the Federal councils, and
trusted to the future to correct such er-
rors, remove such burdens and rebuke
| such tyranny as made odious either the
Acts OF Congress or the constitutions or
legislation of the States?
Being myself firmly convinced Of the
prudence of such policy, 1 enunciated the
sentiments before the Board of Trade,
already quoted; and, as far rs possible.
nave co.operaIcd i'll good faith with the
military authorities III carrying out the
laws of Congress and promoting peace
and order among the people. Whatever
may be my individual opinion as to their