The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-07-22

tation has been denied US, and Congress
having the power to enforce their views,
and the President being impotent to exc
cute his own plan, was it not wise Tor the
South to accept that which promised the
speediest restoration TO representation IN
Congress-? Although many OF our citl-
zens were disfranchised, a sufficient number
still were entitled to so to the ballot DoX,
and being eligible to official position, they
could have controlled the conventions by
intelligence and virtue, and moulded con-
stitutions in all of the Southern States I'M
der which both races might have lived III
harmony. was satisfied that our mate
rial prosperity, the development OF our
resources and the restoration of confidence
and credit, could not be secured until the
political issues involved in the question OF
reconstruction were settled, and the rep.
resentatives Of the South on the floor OF
Congress could make known her wants
and protest against her wrongs. Our cap,
ital had been swept away by hundreds OF
millions: large number of our young
men-the flower of the populatlon-had
been killed in the war; and industrial enl-
ployments were either crippled or broken
M. and the wide spread ruin could only
be repaired by inducing capitalists from
the North and from Europe to locate in
our midst, and bring with them their arti-
sans. merchants, mechanics, ship-bullders,
and others whose labor is wealth Itself
The struggle which impoverished us made
the North rich; and since the formation
of the Government capital has never been
80 abundant or so ready to embark Ill safe
investments. Yet, for three long years,
both capital and emigrants have been de-
TERED from seeking resting place in the
South. -ParLizans, using partizan press
for partizan purposes, have represented the
South as being still in condition of quasi
rebellion. Life has been declared to be
insecure and property uncertain. 1t was
said that Northern men who had the te-
merity to seek homes IN the South, were
set upon by ruthless moba and murdered;
Every species Of enormity were attributed
to the Southern people 20 subserve politl-
cal and partisan ends The effect OF such
Misrepresentation upon us has been most
disastrous. A few tourists have come to
the State-a few adyenturers looking TO
political promotion have rested here; but
a comparatively small number have
brought their capital and located with the
bona fde purpose of identifying them
selves with the State and aiding herpeople
to rebuild their broken fortunes. The ap,,
probation in The value of the stocks and
bonds of the State within few months
past, furnish conclusive evidence OF the
correctness Of the opinion that Northern
CAPITAL would not he trusted inthe South
until representation in Congress was con-
sumnated. In January last, South Caro-
Ina State stocks and bonds were selling
at twenty two and twenty five cents on
the dollar. Now, with restoration as.
sured, they are worth from sixty two to
sixty six cents on the dollar. In the
Spring and Summer Of 1867, money read
ily commanded from two and a half to
three per cent per mouth. In the same
market it 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 col
CURED race, lnay have been, was it not the
part of wisdom, looking at the condition
of affairs in the material sense to which l
have referred, and to She fact that the
domination OF the bayonet could not be
superseded by the jud ge and the jury-box,
to have accepted these obnoxious meas
ures, controlled as far as possible the con-
veutions, secured the best constitutions,
gained readmission into the Federal coun
cils. and trusted to the future to correct
such errors, remove such burdens and re-
buke such tyranny as made odions either
the Acts of Congress OF the constitutions
or legislation of the States?
Being myself firmly convinced of the
prudence of such policy. enunciated
the sentiments before the Board Of Trade
already quoted; and as far as possible, |
have co-operated in good faith with the
military authorities in carrying ont the
laws of Congress and promoting peace
and order among the people. Whatever
may be my individual opinion as to their
constitutiomality, it was my duty to re-
coenize their validity until pronouncedun-
constitutional by the Supreme Court Of
the United States.
When the election occurred for men,
bers of the State Convention, the white
population Of South Carolina, by their ac-
ton at least, seemed to have adopted opn-
ions adverse to those which | have ex-
pressed. Very few repaired to the polls
to vote for delegates to that body. There
appeared to be a STANCE dclusion perva-
ding tire public mind, that the Convention
would not meet, or, if it did meet, that It's
action would be nugatory. It's, perhaps,
the first instance in the history of a free,
intelligent people where the ballot having
been given to them they have refused its
exercise and abdicatcd the power, the
rights and privileges which their intelli-
gencc, experience and wealth would have
enabled them to WELD successfully. They
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