The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-18

formance of my duties, I have known no dis
tinction between race or color. When have
been called upon to exercise the high preroga-
tive Of executive cle1nency in favor OF those
who have violated the laws, the records Of my
Office will show that have made reasonable
allowance for the frailty and Ignorance OF the
coIored population, anil that the communications
! and pardons extended to them e1ceed those
extended to the white race, whose opportun1-
ties for obtaining intelligence did not commend
them with the same force to my Judgment and
sympathies.
AS o citizen of South Carolina, born and
raised on her soil, and desiring to lay my
bones in this home Of my fathers, do not
wish to see constitution adopted obnoxious to
our people. II the instrument which you may
frame be just and wise, as I trust it will be,
shall feel it to be duty to recommend its
adoption to my people. But if, on the other
hand, it bears upon its face evidences Of hos
tillty to the true interests Of the State, it will
be calculated to create sntagonisms, the re-
suits of which will be most deplorable, and
for one will pull up my stakes, and with my
household remove to some other section Of the
country.
presume that opposition will be made to
those who favor this convention. There will
be opposition to you and opposition to me, but
have been too long in political life to be
afraid o. the small thunder which may be di-
rected against me BY newspapers. l have
reached period OF Indifference upon that
question. If know 1ay own conscience, and
II what I say is not true, trust that that over
ruling Providence which guides and controls
lay no other or higher motive, care not
whether it be public or private, no other poiti-
cal aspiration than to promote the interests
OF the people of South Carolina. I believe
said to some Of my colored friends
some months ago that 1 Was tired Of
10 o1or1r -,
business that would enable me to support
those who are dependent on me. now go
further and say to you am disgusted with
politics. know Of no position, State or Fed
eral, that would seek X it oostme the passage
of single step. Let noe tell you that q man
who einbarks in political life, If he is honest,
will be poor as long as he remains in it, and
for his wife, children and self. I intend to do
it. Iwish to 60 into retirement, and there is
no Office that your recommendation or votes
could confer upon me that I would accept. I
ask you, then, to have confidence in the state
ments that have made.
In conclusion, desire you to adopt liberal
and wise constitution, under which the white
and the black man can live together; consti-
tuition which will protect the great interests Of
the Stste, and restore to it a degree Of pros
perity not heretofore enjoyed; constitution
that will dispel that die trust which unfortu-
nately now prevails. You have great problem
to solve, such an one as mas rarely been given
to man; you are to undertake an experiment
which hss not thus far in the experience Of
mankind been successful. That experience
shows that, when placed upon terms Of equsli-
ty, the races have not hsrmonized. It Is for
you to demonstrate to tho contrary. .a
Being hopeful myself, believe that, With
proper discretion and wisdom, you may form
such constitution as will promote harmony,
peace and good will, and enlarge the prospe-
rity OF our State. And in the utmost sincerity,
gentlemen of the convention, invoke the
blessings Of Heaven upon your deliberations,
and trust that an overruing Providence may
give you such wisdom as will secure peace and
concord to this people.
The address OF the Governor was listened to
with marked attention, and although it was
evident that many Of the truths told were un-
palatable, much was uttered which received
commendation and applause. The faces Of
many of the leading delegates-the wire-puIl-
ers Of the convention-uere study. Deep
interest was also manifested by q considerable
number of white spectators, representing the
several professions. 1t was noticeable that
the prominent public men Of the city, whose
names have been mention cd in connection with
the work Of reconstruction, were acute listen
ers and on the watch for every Sign that would
indicate new convert to their ranks.