The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-21

to my mind. 4
| Gentlemen of the Convention, I
have merely outlined some Of the
subjects which, in my judgment,
should command your earnest atten-
tion. AS I have indicated, your body
here, is not the representatives of the
lnteligence7of the State. Your &c,
ton, therefore, must be your pass
port to public favor, and while the
great majority of the white popula-
ton have failed to cast their votes in
4electing delegates, it. will be your
duty to adopt such Constitution as
will commend itself not only TO the
black people, but to the white people
OF South Carolina. s.
Az, the Executive of the State dur
ing the trying times through which
we have passed, I have earnestly en-
deavored to do equal and exact JUS
/ tice to all of our citizens. In the
roSzsoi Ii isnoe vi my duties, / nave
known no distinction between race
or color. When I have been called
upon to exercise the high preroga-
tive of Executive clemency in favor
OF those who have violated the laws.
the records of my Office will show
that I have made reasonable allow
ance for the frailty and ignorance of
the colored population, and that the
combinations and pardons extended
to them exceed those extended to the
white race, whose opportunities for
obtaining intelligence did not com
mend them with the same force to
my judgment and sympathies.
AS citizen of South Carolina,
born and raised on her soil, and de-
string to ls;y my bones in this home
OF my fathers, I do not wish to see q
Constitution adopted obnoxious to
our people, If the instrument which
you may adopt, be wise and just, as
trust it will be, I shall feel it to be
duty to recommend its adoption to
my people. But if, Oh the other
hand, it bears upon its face evidences
OF hostility to the true interests of
the State, it will be calculated to
create antagonisms. the results of
which will be most depiorable, and
L for one, will pull up my stakes, and
with my household, remove to some
other section of the country.
1 presume that opposition will be
made to those who favor this Con
vention: There will be opposition to
you and opposition to me, but have
been too long in political life to be
afraid of the small thunder which
may be directed against me by news
papers. I have reached period of
indifference upon that question. If
L know my own conscience, and if
what L say is not true, trust that
that over-ruling Providence which
guides and controls us, will smite me
for the falsehood-I have this day no
other or higher motive, I care not
whether it be public or private. no
other political aspiration, than to pro-
mote the interests of the people of
South Carolina. I believe I said to
some of my colored friends, some
months ago, that was tired of poll
tics, and desired to embark in some
business that would enable me to
support those who are dependent on
me. l now go further and say to you,
| am disguised with politics. I know
of no position, State or Federal, that
would seek, if it cost me the pass
age of single step. Let me tell you,
that q man who embarks in political
life, if he is honest, will be poor as
long as he remains in it, and the
sooner he gets out of it, the better it
will be for his wife, children and self.
intend to do it. wish to 90 into
retirement, and there is no office that
your recommendation or votes could
confer upon me, that 1 would accept
ask you, then, to have confidence
in the statements that L have made.
In conclusion, I desire you to adopt
liberal and wise Constitution, under
which the white and the black man
can live together; q Constitution
which will protect the great interests
of the State, and restore it to degree
of prosperity not heretofore enjoyed;
q Constitution that will dispel that
distrust which unfortunately now
prevails. You have great problem
to solve, such an one as has rarely
been given to man; you are to under
take an experiment which has not
thus far in the experience of man
kind been successful. That expert
ence shows that, when placed upon
terms of equality, the races have not
harmonized. It is for you to demon
strate to the contrary.
Being hopeful myself, I believe
that, with proper discretion and wis
dom, you may form such Constitu-
tion as will promote harmony, peace