Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-05-08
Sec. 8, Provides for the establishment

Sec. 8, Provides for the establishment
of State reform schools for juvenile otfen-
ders. This is new system to be intro
duced in South Carolina, and Of very
doubtful policy. 1t will certainly add hun.
dreds Of thousands Of dollars TO our tax
alton. All the public schools, colleges and
universities in tho State are by Section 10
to be free and open to all the children,
without regard to race or color. There
seems to be studied design throughout all
the provisions OF this most infamous Con-
stilulion to degrade the white race and
elevate the black race, to force upon Us
social as well MS political equality and bring
about an amalgamalion Of races.
SEC. S OF ARTICLE IL, Forces each
County 70 provide for the support Of the
aged, infirm and unfortunate. 1t does not
require children to support their aged, iu
firm or unfortunate parents, nor parents 10
provide for their children, but this heavy
and most enormous burden is to be thrown
on the public and provided for by taxa
ton.
Heretofore South Carolina has pursued
wise policy in refusing ell divorces. The
marriage contract is Tot like that Of any
other, which the parties may rescnd at
pleasure. withou: injury to society. There
is n third party, innocent and helpless
hildren, who are deeply Interested in all
divorces. Moreover, it tends to demon.
alize every community where it is allowed
or tolerated. But Section gives the
Courts power to grant divorces. This
section was intended, perhaps, for the cs-
pecial benefit of tho negroes. 1t ought
also 10 have legalzed polygamy, which has
likewise great favor with this class Of peo.
pie.
The settlement of wife's property,
provided for in Section 8, might have been
left to the discretion ard wisdom Of the
Legislature. 1t is an experiment., and il
found mischisvous or unwise, the 4egisa-
ture ought to have the power Of changing
or altering the law. But this ordinary ac'
Of legislation has been incorporated in tht
Constitution as fundamental lazy, not t
be repealed.
Attached to this Constitution, are ssv-
eral ordinances, and amongst them on
which repudiates all pledges of faith ant
credit, on the part of the State, to an,
corporation or private individual, mad
-. since 1860. The honor apl credit G
South Carolina, her good faith and mos
y solemn pledges, are thus treated as of n
consideration whatever. But this ordi
pance is en- par with that dishonor, do:
polism, and unscrupulops extravagano
which pervade the whole Constitution, an
are worthy of the Infamous source whepe
the Instrument has its origin.
. The ordinance to create Board Of Ian
Commissioners, authorizes the purchase
u lapds for the purpose Of selling them OF
!, in small tracts to purchasers on credi
= This wild and ruipous scheme is, likewis
~ for the negroes, and is likely TO benefit I
-. one, except the land commissioners al
:, their friends. State stocks are to be issu,
~ fer the purpose Of purchasing these lane
if They may be sold, but the purchasers "
l.. never pay for then, and the loss will uls
n,ately fall upon the State, Did any o
,- ever before hear Of so many effective pr
te visions for squauaeriug public money, VIII
,er the whole State, and all the people in
~ are REDUCED to bankruptcy and povert
r., Well may thase, WHO have nothing a
ha pay no taxes, provide for tAese vast sxp'
If ditures Of public funds, after appropriate
to themselves eleven dollars per day a
his mileage, and dividing out all the offices
d. the State. ~hey have appropriated
"a themselves every Office except that Of G
,bs ernor, which they generously bestowed
IN. citizen of Ohio. Some are to be Uni
~ States Senators, Members Of Congr
in Secretary Of State, Adjutant and lnsr'
tor General, &C., &C., oilers are to FIJI
70 . trict Offices, and the remainder beco
,o,. members Of the Legislature.
,,o If this Constitution was all that vir'
c,o intelligence and patriotism could desire
49,, sensible and honorable man could vote
y, :. it, on account Of the usurped and pollu
i'm source whence it springs. Without
,oo, ccptiou, the Convention was conpose'
-, renegade Southern whites, yankee al,
r;,v turers and negroes, representing only
mol, colored population Of tho State. 1t u
aS remain in all TING to come, badg
ann South Cardinals dish onor and degradat
ona and especially the dishonor and infam
u acl every one WHO votes for its ratification.
,,o will be a brand of infamy which Will q
,,on to- his. descendants in the third and 70
,b;l. generation.
.h,o We shou1l.not despair, however,
cons though this black Constitution ma
v;ll saddlet on Us. 1t is impossible that
t,.so q government can continue, and the
must come, when the State will b.
. I'll deemed from Radicalisn by tho vi
,;r- intelligence, patriotism and maphoo
hor aone