Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1869-08-27

N-- o''o'' IhO SouhliS. IL - tIuC i
suppose, that the country would like
to acquire Cuba. That acauisitivc-
ness is one of the barcs Of our people
We not only would like Cuba, but VIC
would like the greater portion of
Mexico, all of Canada, and perhaps
other contiguous territory. 1t may
be, too, that we arc destined TO pos
scss all this continent, and more, too,
for all know. But l very much
question whether so grcat territorial
extension will benefit us much.
TIE SOUTH DENockATIc-How THE
NEGROES WILL VOTE.
"iou took run through the
South last year, Mr.. Adams" l re-
marked. "What was the result Of
your observations in that direction {?
Can tho Republican party retain the
control Of that section Of the coun-
try .
By no mcans," he replied. GAS
fast rs the States have restored to
them their political privileges and
rights, they will rcasscrt their indie
pcndcncc Of this ruling power 1t is
all nonsense to suppose that the labor
of that section will forever subject it.
self to the control Of few advcntu-
rcrs. At present the negroes are kept
in y state Of political excitement and
scmi-antagonism TO the Southern pco-
pie for partisan purposes, but really
the negroes care nothing about poll:
tics. If left to themselves they
would scarcely ever assert their polit-
ical rights, or restrained from cxcr-
cising them; but it is not in their ma
turc or dispositions to care for them.
In the cities they may, and probably
will always take an active part in
party contests; but the mass Of the
negroes, as is we'll known, arc scatter
cd in small colonies On distant plan-
tations, and after this unnatural cx-
citement passes away, and they arc
Lett TO themselves, politics will be the
least of their concerns, except once a
year, when their employers will ask
them TO the polls to vote. Then, Of
course, they will vote whatever tick
ct their employers or ovcrsccrs put
into their hands. So the political
power in that section will very soon
lapse into tho hands Of those who
have always welded it. And they
are beginning to sec this inevitable
tendency. lIoncc their readiness to
accept reconstruction under tho pres
cnt plan. They know that while q
set of carpet-laggers arc temporarily
placed in power, it is 1t n stepping
stone to their own restoration to po-
litical supremacy"
TIE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
"What is your opinion Of tho pros
rects of the adoption OF the Fifteenth
amendment to the Constitution ?"
asked.
~ think" he replied, "that it will
make but little difference whether it
is adopted or not. 1t is inconsistent
with the former portion Of tho con-
stitution, and is therefore invalid. If
declared adopted, when the Demo
cratic party comes into power it will
simply ignore it."
"Would the Supreme Court pro-
nouncc it invalid because Of that in
consistency? I asked.
THAT FARCE, TIE SUPREME COURT.
"Our Supreme Court" he replied,
"is farce. 1t has no independence.
1t is under coercion. 1t has forfeited
the respect due it rs q separate and
and coequal branch Of the Govern
mcnt. Its Judgments do not carry
with them the weight they did in
former years. They avoid the dis
cussion Of constitutional questions
under the dictation of Congress, and
have really no control Of such qucs-
tions. In fact, Mr.. Sheridan, our
whole form OF government has chang
ed. We have written constitution,
1t is true; but is almost wholly ig:'
norcd. 1t has been altered, patched,
and amended until it's consistency is
all destroyed, and it is almost n mean
ipgless instrument. Our Legislation is
not affected by tho restrictions of
any organic law. AS Mr.. TLaddcus
Stevens expressed it, our legislation
is extra constitutional, or outside Of
the constitution. We have ceased to
be governed by the written fundamcn.
tai law, but have adopted the English
idea Of an unwritten constitution, va
riablc in its character, and adapted
to evonts as they occur"
TIE DAYS OF TIE REPUBLICAN PARTY
NUMBERED.
"This revolution has been wrought
by the Republican party, you think ?"
I interposed.
.tNVhollv soD hn ronI;nd trVbo