The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-13
COLUMBIA.
Wednesday Morning, Msy 9slSSs.
Correspondenco OF the Phsanix.

/
NCoErespondence OF the PhoahIx.
The South Carolina Con,n,fttss p FORE
MsRsconstrucsion. Gomgsittee ot NE
Rouse-Remarks Of Col 1hon,t,s--
Results Mora!-The Presidential
| Election = Impeachment - Pot5ttln
Element IN The Gooernmsnt-1'he
| Issue. .....t t.tlN, t
WASHINGTON, May 9, 1s6s.-col
Thomas, ). q; Gibbes, Esq, and
Col. Childs, the Committee from yonr
State. representing the remonstrance
of the white people against the pro.
posed radical negro Constitution,
appeared, by permission, yesterday,
before the Reconstruction Committee,
to protest against said Constitution
and to expose its Objectionable fes-
lures. Col. Thomas addressed the
Committee and received q respectful
hearing. There were present Messrs.
Thad. Stevens, Beck, Paine, and
Hulbut. Col. Thomas exposed the
| ignorant and unreliable elements that
constituted the Convention that
framed the Constitution, now pro-
posed for South Carolina-brought
out in strong relief the oppressive
features of the instrument, particu-
larly as it respects unlimited suffrage
and the taxation power, and declared
that under such Constitution must
arise influences and antagonisms at
war with the peace and prosperity of
both races in South Carolina, but
especially Of the negro race. He en-
phatically denied that the whites
were not disposed to protect the just
rights of the colored people. On the
contrary, said Col. r., the ex-slave-
holder was the natural protector of
the freedman, and would, if he had
the opportunity, throw around the
former slave all that remained of the
sovereign protecting power of the
State. The prejudice North against
the colored man was stronger than at
the South, and the day, he thought,
was not far distant, when the ex-
STAKEHOLDER would be found pleading
with the North for the black mans
rights. In conclusion, Col. Thomas
uttered an earnest and indignant pro-
test against the rule of the negro
being established over the high
toned, polished and noble people of
South Carolina, whom it was pride
to represent, and in whose behalf he
spoke, that their voice might be heard
in manly tones before yielding their
State to the control of aliens and q
newly emancipatod people. Nor can
there be any acquiescence, said Col.
Thomas, on the part of the whites.
tits true, we do not mean to resort
to violence. But we do mean, by
peaceful means, by industrial agen-
cies, by political combinations, under
the Constitution and laws, to contest
this matter, until we recover the po-
liticnl control which, everywhere,
since the world began, have been
accorded to mental power and moral
superiority. Col. Thomas then ear
nestly vindicated the people of the
South, and of South Carolina in par
ticular. against the charge of. disloy-
atty, so currently made. Said he, n
more loyal people than they of South
Carolina and the South, lived not
within the limits of the Union. And,
added Col. Thomas, give them fair
showing--restore the States on just,
liberal and magnanimous basis-and
then the same valor, the same devo-
tion, and the same self-sacrifice that
they gave to the "lost cause" will
they give to q restored Union. After
Col. T. had concluded his remarks,
Mr.. Stevens, who had received them
with much fairness and consideration,
replied. that the Committee would
consider the suggestion made. The
South Carolina Committee then with
drew. OF course, in spite of the re-
monstrance and of the address to the
Reconstruction Committee, the car OF
radicalism will roll on.
Arkansas was admitted, on yester-
day, and at the same time Mr.. Paine
introduced bill to admit South Ca
rolina on the same basis, and the bill
will be promptly passed.
But, though the Committee from
South Carolina may have effected no
result OF o practical nature, yet they
feel that they have discharged the