The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-04-05

JiCH VI tuC opoSC. AhSso ~
all originates there it has its abode,
aud from thence it must be remuvad
before pence or security can ensue.
The character of this body must
therefore be changed. Instead Of
representing ignorance and vice, it
must represent knowledge and virtue.
This 10 cannot do until you change its
constituency. There is no possible
method Of reforming on agency, while
the principal continues the same :
and ignorance and prejudice will
never select for its agents the wise
and the good. Our troubles result
fro this cause, and from neglect Of
the great American aphorism, that
taxstion without representation is
tyranny. In our present system IF
State Government, those who pay
the taxes have no voice in the Govern.
! ment. This Investigation oloorly
points to the only possible remedy,
TO wit A change in tho oonstituen.
~ which elects the Legislature, Let
| this bo improved, aud the improve
| ment Of the other follows of course.
A more intelligent body of voters,
and one directly responsible to pay
| the taxes which are imposed by their
| representatives, would speedily pro-
vide a remedy. Under their aus
pices. an intelligent and virtuons
Legislature would again make its ap-
pearance, and tho laws of the land
and the public officers appointed to
admiaister, them, would again com.
mand public confidence, and ensure
tho peace and tranquility Of the
State.
All this can be obtained by simply
following the lead Of that State which
our present rulers would regard 40 the
fountain of political wisdom, and
amending our constitution so ms to
conform tho qualifications of voters to
that required in Massachusetts,. Let
the voters be only such as can read
and have paid sono tax for the sup.
port Of the Government, and the rep.
resentatives will at once change their
character. Such qualification in
the voters would discriminate only
against ignora nee, and would place it
in the power Of every man to take
part in the Government, whatever
may be his race or color.
The difficulty of such an amend
ment arises from the fuct that it must
end sufficient favor with the existing
authorities to command a two.thirds
vote. This difficulty is real but is it
not worth the effort to overcome it :
Without some such change the State
must inevitably drift ;nto anarchy Or
civil war, and surely we already have
had sufficient experience of the evils
Of war to induce every one to seek
their avoidance. If you, sir, would
commence the movements by an earn
est appeal to the Legislature, imme-
diately to submit tho osiI Of Con-
vcutiou to the decision Of the people
it is not at all Improbable that the
movement may succeed.
1t is true that it will take much
time, and that much agitation must
ensue. But let every man weigh
against those conside rations, the
danger which must attend any other
course. Should, even, tho violenc Q
which may be apprehcnded, be sup.
pressed by military force, IL is not at
oil unlikely TINT AS their ouly remain
ing resource, the entire community
will refuse to pay their taxes and
then, where will be the credit and
government of the State ? Doubt
less many bad men will agitate against
such measure, and will endeavor, as
heretofore, to persuade the ignorant
oolored people that the whites will
again reduce them to slavery. But
your Excollenoy will be fully able to
repel such attempts. You know as
l do, and can tell thom 80, that they
owo their emancipation neither to
your party nor to m;"e, bat alone to
God, the Supreme Dispo.cr of events.
You can show them President Lin
colu's proclamation Of September,
1862, in which he undertook to reo'g-
MIA the right of tho people of the
Southern States to hold their slaves,
if they would lay down their arms DO.
fore the ensuing first OF January.
It was, therefore, from the re1o.ute-
ness Of the South, and not from tho
generosity o! the North, that the slaves
obtained their freedom. Aud even now
that freedom is insured only by the
amendment Of the constitution of the
, United States, which was adopted by
the white men Of South Carolina. You
would, therefore, be able effsctually
/ to remove his hindrance to good feel
, ing from tho minds Of tho colorcd peo
} pie.
Then, again, you would be able I,
assure them Of the kindly feeling will
which thoy have alwsys been regard
: ed ny their former masters, before tn
heartless pluuderers, who are nov
, making use Of thsr,, had nisled AM
. en- mbittered their feelings. Theye
and other topics which will rsadil!.
. ooour 20 YOU, will no doubt enable