The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1871-05-31

sOh the states representated i'm
the Senate set aside the Cbnstitu.
tion. forgot their sovereignty and
bIindly followed the lead OF the
conquest. Since the war, the
States that struggled Tor what they
snpposed Was a constitutional
right have not been represented,
their Senators are not natives, or,
it natives, arc not representative
men. So that the check Cf the
States, rs representated in the Sen.
ate, has been entirely lusr, and, of
course, all Legislation has been
partisan, sectional and vindic.
tive.
The same feature which, charac.
terized the Congressional legisla
tion was inc rported in our State
government. The Parish System,
which existed in our State Cons,i.
tuition before the war, operated as
a check upon all Legislation of the
mere majority. The new Cuns,i.
tntion of 'G5 and '8S abolished
that conservative element. Under
the Constitution of '65, it is posi-
BILE no evil would have resulted ;
because intelligence and property
were equally represented and all
tie voters belonged to tho same
caste. Under the Constitution of
'6S, however, new element was
brought into the voting power.-
Men of different race and caste,
uneducated slaves just cmancipat.
ed, an impressible people, whose
passions and prejudices could be
easily excited, were 81 I'D denly
clothed with the elective franchise
aud made not only a power but
the controlling power in the State.
Considering our condition, then,
the result was inevitable. Tue
new y eniranchiscd were not ONLY.
jealous "t their acquired liberty,
but suspicious of the feelings and
intentions of their late oxners.-
They wero ignorant Of political
affairs. totally uninstrucied in the
science ut government and natural.
.ly turned To the men who had
f"cked here as birds of prey. 1t
was equally natural for Tie native,
respectable anu intelligent whi;e
pe"rle. who had. heretofore con.
rrolled a airs, To feel supreme
disgust, and TO hold themselves
""!&: ""!!&&%:: ...'"m this mass If ignorance
and vice. 1t must now be remem
hered that the large majority of
the gentlemen in the State, Of ex.
perience, patriotism ard virtue.
were laborlng under the political.
disabilities of h reconstruction
Acts, which prevented them from
taking part i'll legislative proceed.
Jugs.
But time. with its healing influ
ence, has shown to the colured
people llia, the white people have
II" disposition to deprive them of
any of their rights, civil or p"litic
al, that have been conferred on
them. 1t has proved to the white
people that tho colured citizens,
generally, feel no eumity against
them; are not disposed TO opp css
them. aud are willing, il not anx.
ious, To avail themselves Of their
learning, experience, virtue and
patriotism. 1t has also proved to
the adventures, white and c"lnred,
that the eyes of the nataue coLOred
Pe',pte aie opened to their selfish.
hess and rapacity.
Having arrived at this conclu.
sion. tue question ia, how can VIC
avail ourselves Of the power Of
this native element and get rid If
tie bid influence which has here
t"fme controlled it, using the col
ored people as mere v"iing chat
tells, to plunder and ruin this de.
voted Siate2 They need and do.
sire the virtue, intelligence and
experience of the native white
people. The white people cannot
maintain the ancient vir lie, disni-
ty and honor of this old State, un-
less the na'ive co.orcd people will
cooperate with them. The cor
ruptiUn Of this State Government,
is Notorious brides are openly of.
fered to, and received by, Sena.
tors and Representatives; high
officials are engaged in speculatilig
in stocks aud bonds Of the State !:
all these great crimes are being
perperrated op My here in tire
capital, and there has not Leen
The first prosecution commenced
to prevent them. In "a word, the
ancient honor OF the proud old
State q lost and gone. Every
white man and every colnred m an,
WHO is u native Sonif Carolinian,
must deplore this disgraceful and
hur,ilia,ing condition.
Your coiiImitree believe that the
public mind is ripe to correct this
...I .,..l n.,... sL.. Il.