New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-17
sOUTU CAROLINA POLITICIANS.

SOUTH CAROLINA POLITICIANS.
THE TAXPAYERS, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION
UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE ACCEPrED-NoRTH-
ERN IMMIGRATION DESIRED.
TPRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 12-The Tax-Payers'
Convention, which adjourned to-day after session OF
four days has afforded opportunity to learn INC
views representative white men from all parts OF the
State. have talked with "up-country men" ana low
country men," with ex-Senators and Governors WIN
Judges Legislators, exCOnfederate Generals Coohels'
and Captains, with lawyers, merchants Cdltors ana
planters and fnd them SO generally in accord upon
the three or four leading questions that affect the inter-
ests Of South Carolina, that after gathering their
separate opinions found il oeraby easy to arrive
at the general sentiment of the educated and property
owning classes. The unanimy OF opinion tDat preVaeu
In the Convention remarkable considering the fact
that OF the delegates were men OF strong lhue-
pendent mind-od political leaders, and Generals who
won warwho together for the first time
i'm many years and less remarkable was the calm
ness and dignity that marked the proceedings dlnrng
widely from that rash enthusiasm which we In the NOfh
are ant TO believe are characteristics of the people OF
South Carolina. The leading questions upon which
find such a harmony OF sentiment refer to negro suf-
frage the validity and nalty OF the Reconstruction
acts and Northern mmg grafton The opinions expressed
ON these questions may be epitOmized follows: There
IL no longer any hope that the work OF reconstruction
will be destroyed the constitutional amendments de-
cared void by the accession of the Democratic party to
power, or by any other means These amendments are
believed to be inates, and by acting in obedience to
them Is believed that remedies can be found for the
evils which have thus far attended their operation
q All feeling of active hostility TO the Government OF
the United States hope OF release from its authority
Is rapidly dying out 8. Universal suffrage is reeog-
nzed in and there no expectation or de-
sire to deprive the negro of the ballot at any time in the
81 Nnpina Qn1f mo
chanics with small capital and Of manufacturers and
other business with larger means, TO develop the
resources the country is earnestly desired and would
be heartily welcomed.
can best show tho views expressed upon the above
points by giving sketch a few among many CONVEX
saons had and select them as giving the aver
age opinions prevalent among the members OF the Con-
yention. A gentleman, who for twenty years was
member of the Legislature said TO me In the course OF
long conversation: "There are two things that want
particularly to impress upon YOU The first Is that our
people mediate hostility to the General Government
There are many who il they thought There was some
remote prospect in the future of recovering the lost
cause would cherish that hope but one believes that
there Is the slightest ground for such hope sucD no
tions are abandoned foolish dreams. We were too
terribly whipped to think OF fighting again. You've
no idea how completely were conquered. We mean
to be good citizens and to live peaceaby and respect the
Government 1t isn't true that we are still Rebels ut
heart There isn't law-abiding epeople In the
world than the people Of South Carolina, and TINS Is
proved by fact that for two years they tolerated TINS
corrupt and oppressive State Government, car
rled on by men who are strangers To US ana
who have no object but to grow rich at our expense
The other thing that want to you Of" he con-
tinued that any Northern man who comes here for
the purpose Of making his home among US will be
cordially welcomed" But this state OF feeling has GER
tanly not existed long," said. mo, not long, but it
does exist now and the change ia owing to the general
conviction among people that their material interests
will he advanced by Northern immigration well by
the extinction the bitterness OF the For the first
two wears after the war; no from the North, who
was a gentleman would stay here and endure the
heaped upon him and that is one reason why we have
no respect for the who did then come and remain
here They not gentlemen or they would not have
submitted to be treated like dogs for the sake their
bread and meat They were meansprited, dshonorable
fellows But I tell you that has all changed now.
Northern people who come here will be met in
the kndest spirit" "But how Is it about social inter-
course Are the ladies here still Unfortunately
hostile to all persons who from the North - "Yes,
they are the fact is uncomfortable and
unreasonable this question. They disregard consd
erations Of interest; but they only think that the
Northern people killed their fathers, husbands, and
brothers. This luminosity will of before long; but
for the present would advise folks who want to settle
here to bring their society with themthat is,
in little colonies OF few families They will find
trouble with the men, who will treat them with kindness
and poiteness; but the women will not invite them to
their houses OF associate with them must admit this.
But when say all Northern men will be welcomed,
must exception Of those who for the pur
pose Of getting office, to the exclusion Of the native
citizens; they would still be unwelcome."
Iasked an exUnted States Senator II he believed the
negroes would be deprived of the franchise. NO
body expects that now" he replied ave accept uni
versa suffrage part Of the fundamental law OF the
country, which believe will never DO chahgeu.
But would you change It II you could y inquired
"No 1t always dangerous to attempt to deprive any
people Of rights they have enjoyed anu III n'
case, 1t would result in violence and social anarchy
The negroes would orcby resist an enort 10 take no
ballot from them, and they would use matches, no
other weapons aud would waste the country Win nie'
II we had the power In our hands to-dayto DO IL We
would not interfere with the negroes right to VOTE All
we want ia 10 guard against the evils That come irom
universal suffrage by providing some protection TOT prop
erty 40 IL shall not be conscated by outrageous TAXA
tionU An Confederate Brgader General talking on
the sams subject said: "I don't believe In universal
sura0e without some check, and III explain why Gov
eminent IL established 10 protect three things-fe lib
erty and property Now the mans interest In the
Government Is only that II shall protect his life and
,hor,v and II poor men In the majority IL comes
about that property gets protection, "A IN South
Canna at present and Government thus fails IN one Of