The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-29
not follow from any proposition of
the late Convention.


The Merctwy says: eve are not
aware Of any law or any Legitimate
Constitution, which has made negroes
g portion Of the body polite in South
Caroline. 2 We answer that, as we have
construed the term "body politic," it
was not any ia,o that made the negroes
an element thereof, but it was the ab-
sence Of law--the absence of special
enactment bearing on the point. But,
further, is it fair for any one to de-
tGch the language quoted from the
context and draw his differences ac-
cordingly? All expressions, I-sub-
NIT, are properly to be construe d in
connection with the context-with
what goes before and with what fol-
lows. Iou will observe tnat the Mer-
curry, in its structures upon the action
of the Democratic Convention, does
not follow this established rule of
construction, and, therefore, subjects
itself to the charge of special plead
ing and verbal quibbling in a grp 8
issue of State policy. Once for all,
we ask leave now distinctly to de-
clare:
1. That we maintain, "with Presi-
dent johnson and the whole Demo
cratic party North" that the whole
reconstruction programme enacted
and to be enacted under the Military
Bill of Congress, is unconstitutional,
illegal and properly null and void.
2. That we, therefore, repudiate
the admissions made by Gov. Orr, in
his address to the so-called Constitu-
tional Convention, wherein he nc
knowledged the legality of that body.
3. That we maintain, that to the
States belongs the question of negro
suffrage. And further, that, believing
an affirmative declaration on this
subject expedient and essential to
party vitality, and move in the di-
rection of justice and fair dealing,
we deem it becoming and right now
to say what, in our sovereignty, we
would be willing to concede to the
colored element. And further, the
negro element in our midst being q
large one, we deem it craftsmanship
not to ignore it.
4. We appreciate, as fully as any,
the dignity and claims of the white
race, and contend that their political
control of this State, and the coun-
try at large, is q right, which must
never be given up. This must be,
and shall be, pdr excellence, white
mans government.
5. But, at the same time, confident
and strong in the knowledge of the
white mans power, influence, and
resolve, we hold it magnanimous,
just and right, to give the colored
man fair showing, and to set pre-
MUM upon industry, intelligence
and worth, whenever these elements
are found in him. We would extend
no consideration to the black mans
radical advisers from the North, nor
to his renegade adherents, South !;
but, as respects the great mass of the
colored people themselves, in con-
sideration OF their own inexperience,
and the influences to which they
have been subjected, we are disposed
to indulge them yet longer.
g Be to their faults little blind;
BE to their virtues a little kind
And put paddock on our minds
AS to the past"
have thus declared what con-
ceive to be the views and principles
of the Democratic party of this State,
as now organized under the auspices
of the April Convention. And, in
conclusion, I have only to express
the hope that, when these views and
principles are called in question, that
they may be met in q spirit of fair
discussion, and in a spirit, too, which
deplores any division among the
conservative people of the State, and
which realizes, that for us, at this
time, moderation, union and harmo-
ny are all-essential.
AS for myself, I believe that the
principles set forth at the April Con-
vention are both right and expedient,
and 1 contend further, that, as such,
they have been received and adopted
by the great body of the white people
of tho State. Yours, very respect
fully, JOHN P. THOMAS.
We noticed, some time ago, rs one
of the encouraging political signs of
the times, the passage of a resolution