The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1868-02-20

for time, ian interval of horrible mis-
rule) we are to endure the reign of the
radical reconstructed governments. The
ground we take in regard to these, is
that they are without any yconstitution-
al or rightful authority, and that they
can never be sanctifed and refined into
lawful governments, but by our acqui.
escence and participation in them. If
we accept them-assume and exercise
citizenship, hold Office under and swear
to support to them, we may give vitality
to these bodies ofdeath. Society can
not exist without some organized gov
ernment. Any government is better
than anarchy. The liberties of a peo-
pie often falls a prey to the necessity
for order. In times of political trouble
and confusion, any despot who assumes
the reins of power and maintains order
and security, rallies to its support all
that is conservative in the country,
however wrongfully that power was
acquired. From the complexion of the
constitution proposed in the Charleston
convention, very strong inducements
are offered to tempt the people to ac-
cept it. No test oath is proposed to ex-
clude any portion of the people from Of
flee or power. Itrepudiates the disfran-
chisement imposed by Congress. Its
seeming iberality will give it q certain
strength which it could not otherwise
derive. 1t would be fatal to allow our
people to fall into the snore laid for
them. Liberal as the franchise, is as
proposed, the whites of South Carolina
will have no more power to control the
new government than if they were
disfranchised.
Any man who will array himself
against his own blood and race, and
bow in blind idolatry at the shrine Of
radicalism, may enjoy the emoluments
of Office for brief period, but it can
only be by disrobing himself of the
nature of the Southern white man. A
few demagogues, mostly northern, now
control the whole political power which
that government will embody, and
they and such as they, will continue to
controli i. absolutely. In this District
the vote of the majority was cast at the
will Of one mana stranger and q So
iourner in the land. The native white
man is.psweplessss,,nder such. q. system
unless lie would make himself the will
ling tool of those tribunes Of fthepeeple.
II we would maintain our civilization,
our social status, our race itself, il
must be by organizing tile white man
upon such principles as will, on the one
hand, prevent his being absorbed into
this unnatural association, and on the
other ally him to his Brethren who are
fighting the battle of constitutional
right, law and order throughout the
land. Since the entire negro race has
fallen under foreign rule and has been
arrayed in direct and bitter antagonism
to all that we hold dear, nothing re-
mains to us but either to bear their
yoke or to combine for our own iprotec-
ton. If there is to be any escape for
the country frolnlits present condition of
ruin and despotism, it will be through
the national Democratic party. Let as
organize our forces, and as one man
sustain their policy, by every lawful
and rightful means in our power. Let
us circulate their speeches and their
papers. Let us invite their orators and
their statesmen to come ariong us, to
see the truth as it is, for themselves;
to strengthen our hands and cheer our
hearts by assurances Of fraternity and
support. Let us show them that the
Southern man is ready with hand and
heart to greet as friend and brother
the Northern man who comes with
peace in his heart and fidelity to the
constitution and the laws of the land.
Impeachment: fails Again.
n