The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-01-25

out fully the views Of the convention, tho, first
legislature to be elected under the constitution,
may be elected by all $nals voters over twenty.
one years of age, but after that time, if not bo.
forss urgently recommend that qualified sui.
frageIextending to all classes and races bo pro-
vidod for in the constitution. Aman who goes
to tho polls after January l, 1870, whether he
be white Or black, who is not able to. read or
write, shouldbe excluded from the privileges Of
q voter.
ar s. = "a
Second. If you desire that this convention
should commend itself to the favorable consid-
cratiohpp pf the people Of tho State, white and
coloted, recommend that you adopt in the
constitution provision for liberal homestead
lawNthat you make it applicablesto all those
who now own homestead, and protect them
against antecedent debts. The disasters result
ing from the war, tho abolition of slavery, and,
thereby, the wiping out Of the fortunes IF very
many Of those who were wealthy prior to the
war, as matter Of humanity demands that you
should protect them as to the past by liberal
homestead law, and securing that home to its
owner in the future: The homestead law
which guarantees to family fifty dollars or
one hundred acres in the country, and town
lot or house in the city, is not only humane but
patriotic. In the country, where the head Of
family knows that his homestead is protected,
he goes to work to beautify and adorn the
same. He plants his orchard and his vineyard.
He crects his buildings, dccoratos his dwell
ing, and makes all Of his surroundings COM
Portable, and invites happiness and coltcnt to
his hearth.
I, s x '*@
Third. l urge you to provide for tho abolish
'mcnt Of Imprisonment for debt
i, Fourth. It is worry important that this body
should adopt some ordinance to provide relief
to debtors prior to the war. The temporary
orders of the military commandant, extend to
debts contracted during tho war. All debts
now existing, where the consideration is for the
purchase of slaves, should be absolutely wiped
out by the convention. Ii these debts are re-
cognized, it is recognition of that institution,
of its pfoprlcty, its Justice and morality. Most
of the debts contracted prior to the war. we're
upon the faith and possession of property in
slaves. That property has been destroyed. and
ia liberal provision should be made by this body
in reference to dcbtors-thc amount and time
when they may make payment Of the same.
3 Fifth. E,lucasion IS now she great desidcra-
tum' tf all the colored people of South Caro-.
lima Fer obvious reasons it was tho policy of
the State, previous to emancipation: to exclude
the slave population from the benefits and nd
vuntages of education. Twill not discuss these
reasons: But.thc relations Of tl,:te population
to tho State are now materially changed
Hence it is of the utmost Importance that the
largest intelligence possible shall be com,nuni-
Gated to that class.
In providing for it, I beg to guard you
against attempting to levy taxes exclusively
upon property. There is nc. taxation which is
30 universal, just and equitable as that upon
the person or poll, for educational purposes,
since all are interested iii having an intelligent
and virtuous population.
Sixth. With reference to the conduct Of the
State, I have only to say to you that tho treas
ury liz empty. The tax bill adopted by the last
Legislature has failed, by $4,000 to produce
the amount Of taxes contemplated. =
Bot it is vcr5 important that you should in
your deliberations, by ordinance or otherwise,
dcclare-and nothil,g can more commend your
body to the confidence of the State, who repre-
scnted its wealth-that all Of f6c obligations
Of tho State, all the bonds of the State created
prior to the war, and all the obligations of the
State since the war, shall be fully and faithful
ly redeemed.
In framing your constitution, cannot too
earnestly commend to your favorable considc-
ration the importance of removing the dsa-
bility from all of the white population Of this
State.
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This brings me to say that in South Caro-
lima, at least there is no reason why nny man,
white or colorcd, should be excluded from the
privilege of voting or holding Office. You are
nware that the disfranchisemcnt in the Recon-