Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1868-02-01

curse, and the sooner that and all other inter.
ests, except perhaps tho mercantile interest
dispense with it, the better will it be for tho
general prosperity of the State.
Fourth. 1t is very important that this body
should adopt Some ordinance to provide rolel
to debtors prior to the war; The temporary
orders of the military oommandant, extend tc
debts contraosoa2 during the war. All debts
now existing, where tho consideration is for
the purchase of slaves, slfould be absolutely
| wiped out by the convention. If these debts
arc recognized, it is q recognition of that in.
stltution, of its propricty, its justice and mo.
rality. Most of the debts contracted prior to
tho war, were upon the faith and possession
OF property in slaves. That property has
been destroyed, and liberal provision should
be made by this body with reference to debt.
ors-thc amount and time when they may
mako payment Of tho same DO this, aud
you will commend your constitution under
tho most favorable auspices to the considcra-
ton of that class in South Carolina who have
not participated in the election of delegates
to this convention.
Fifth. Education is now the great aesider-
atum Of all tho colorcd people of South Caro-.
llna For obvious reasons it was the policy
OF the State, previous to emancipation, to ex.
cludo the slave population from the benefits
and advantages of education. I will not dis
cuss these reasons. But the relations Of that
population to the State arc now materially
changed. Henoe it is of the utmost impor.
tancc that the largest intelligence possiblo
shall be communicated to that class. Mon of
intelligence have many more opportunities,
through their reading and observation, of
learning and apprcciating the morall law and
its requirements. Profound ignorance almost
universally couples with it crime and vice
Hence, the education of the black population
and, | am sorry to say, of many of tho
white population of the State--should com.
mand the earnest attention of this body.
In providing for it, I beg to guard YOU
against attempting to levy taxes exclusively
upon property. There is no taxation Which
is so UNIVERSAL just and equitable as that Upon
the person or poll, for educational purposes,
since all are interested in having an intolli.
gent and virtuous population.
Sixth. With reference to the condition of
tho State, have only to say to you that tue \
treasury is empty. The tax bill adopted by
the last Legislature has failed, by $500, 900, to
produce the amount of taxes contemplated.
We have, therefore, been compelled to rely
upon what arc known as The " bills roceiva-
bic" issued by authority Of the legislature, to
pny all officers and claims against the State.
The great depreciation of property, aud the
general impovcrishment of the State, has re.
duced the amount of taxes anticipated by the
legislature very materially, and consequently
the financial condition Of tho State is greatly
embarrassed. But tits vcry3simpor.ant that
you should, in your deliberations. " ordl-
nance or otherwise, declare and nothing can
moro commend yop. nody TO tho confidence
of tho people es tho State, who represented
its wea'ti,-that all Of the obligations of the
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 faithfully re-
deemed. An ordinance announcing the va
lidity of the obligations of the State, passed
by you, will at once rapidly aud largely ap-
probate the value Of tho bonds, now held at
such low figures. The great discount upon
the State bonds in the markets, hore and else
where, grows out of want of confidence in
the will and determination of tho new govern
mcut to redeem them. This you should set
at rest And while you MAY with propriety
repudiato all obligations for war purposes, the
credit of the State for other obligations should
not be tarnished either by rcpddlation or G.
semblance Of repudiatioh. Isl
In framing yol constitution / cannot too
earnestly commend to your favorable consid-
Grafton tho Importance of removing the disa-
bility from all Of the white population of this
State. When you look to tho judiciary, I
am very y2sura you can haye no reasonable
ggtound Of complaint against their fairness!or
5impaftialty. Under the constitutional amend.
Snent most or nearly all saro excluded from
continuing in their position. Have you ins
tho State melnborsof the bar who arc oompe.
tentsto discharge these high and portant
trusts with the ability or even the satisfaction
toyourselves of those who would be required
to retire from the,pubic Sacrvico, unless YOU
make modification retaipng them in their
present position? Is there any reasonable
ground Of complaint against your Appeal
Court, the Judges Of your Criminal Court or
your Chancellors7 While, undcrtho consti-
tuition, you may vaoatc thcso Offices and sub,
jeot all of the parties to tho ordeal Of an eloc.