Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1868-01-25

P'o'"'So ~ mas DUG CUIlSlSLCUC GuUt
those who deemed onc-half Of their fellow
citizens to be chattels should forget or over
look tho manhood of the other half.
But we, who in these days, when tho rising
beams of political truth promise, after 80 much
storm, brighter sky for the Republic, we
who arc emerging from that cloud of false
opinion into the fall sunshine Of that truth,
Know aud claim ourselves to be only tho rep
rcscntatiycs of the people. We arroganty
assume no final action, no irresponsible power
recognizing the rights Of all men, of all races
the poor as well as the rich, the ignorant as
we'll as the wisc--of all men who mako the
State their home and identify themselves with
its interests. We dare not present to thom
an organic law for their government as some
thing with which they have nothing to do but
to hear it and obey. Our work here is not to
be considered rs completed until the people
shall have reviewed it and ratified it. Not
we, ourselves, but they who sent US here, arc
to say whether We deserve tho reward Of a
"well done, good and faithful servants p
For the first time in tho history Of South Car
o'ina, will the people be recognized as the
true trainers of their own organic law. OF
such a Convention, organized Oh the great ac-
knowlcdgcd principles of Democratic Rcpub-
licanism, l am proud to be mcmbcr; far
more proud to sit here beneath the folds of
that beloved flag, which is this day noating
| from our roof, than should have been to have
been in that other body which met in this city
in 1860, with no such loyal symbol to protect
it, but which rather sought to tear its stripes
to tutters and to dash its stars to the earth.
Yielding to none in sentiments Of devotion
for that flag of my fathers, and in a5Aorrcnce
of every sentiment Of disloyalty and treason
to that Government, to which orc para
mount allegiance, [ yet have no vim lictivo
feelings towards those of my fellow citizens
who were led by the distractions Of their po-
litical leaders to entertain different and op-
posing cntimcnts-scntiinent which deem
ed errors, but which they believed to be
truths. grant to them chat liberty of
thought which dcmand for myself. Hence,
I profess myself to be a moderate man J.
am opposed to all confiscations of property,
because tho confiscation Of all tho lands Of rob
c owners in the State can have no effect in
promoting the welfare of that State, in elcva-
ting its political condition, or advancing its
commercial and agricultural prosperity.
am opposed to any general disfranchiscmcnt
os the masses of the people It is too late
now to dsfranchiso as punishment for trca-
son. Punishment should be inflicted for the
sake Of reform. To in0ct it now would be
only to crafty revenge. want no more dis
franchiscmcnt either as to number Of persons,
or as to duration of time, than is absolutely
necessary to secure tho safety Of the nation,
aud if chat can be secured by mono at all, then
would favor general amnesty.
call God to witness, that ia taking my
scat in this august body, I do so only because
desire to contribute what little abilities or
influence I may have to the restoration of
peace and harmony, and for the establishment
of such Constitution or form Of Government
for my native State as will secure to every
liau III olC OouiIoiiWC"illi oiluiC vi
political rights, will protect us in the future
from the errors which have led to our present
unhappy condition, and will speedily rehabi-
tate tho State, constituent part of tho
great national confederation
With this expression of my sentiments,
which will not, however, control me in the
important administration of tho Office to which
you have assigned me, am now prepared to
take my place as your presiding officer, at the
Same time invoking your indulgence for any
unintcntional errors that may commit, and
your earnest cooperation in preserving the
dignity and dccorum of the body.
Tho speech was frequently interrupted with
applause, and occasionally with cries of
{" Hear! hoar!" and tho spcakcrt>o his scat
among loud plaudits, having evidently acquit-
ted himself to tho satisfaction Of the Convcn-
ton.
w. J. Whippcr, delegate from Beaufort
but negro lawyer from Michigan, and one
Of tho most intelligent members, moved that
tho rules Of the Unitcd States House of Rep
rcsentativcs be adopted as tho rules Of tho
Convention. Tho motion was carried.
Tho thanks Of tho Convention wcro then
unanimously voted to II. j. Robertson; whitc,
~ r,.,>>s. D:.b1om1S cor b;a ,o.,,s