The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-12

suddenly clothed with tho elective fran.
chlse and made not only power, but tho
controlling power in the State. !.
Consldering our condition, then, the
result was inevitable. The newly en-.
iranchlsed were not only jealous Of their
acquired Liberty, but suspicious Of the
feelings and intentions of their late
owners. They were ignorant of politi-
ca! affairs: totally uninstructed in the
science OF government and naturally
turned to the men who had Aocked here
as BIRDS OF prey. It was equally natural
Tor the native, respectable and intelli-
gent white people, who had heretofore
controlled affairs, to feel supreme die.
guet, and to hold themselves aloof from
this mass Of ignorance and vice. It
must DOW be remembered that the large
majority of the gentlemen in the State.
OF experience. patriotism and virtue.
were inboring under the political disabi-
htles OF the reconstruction Acts, which
prevented them from taking part in
legislative proceedings
But time, with its healing influences.
hos shown to the colored people that the
white people have no disposition to de-
prive thom of any of their rights, civil
or political, that have been conferred on
them. It has proved to the white people
that tho colorad citizens. generally, feel
no enmlty against them, are not disposed
10 oppress them, and arc willing, if not
anxious, to avail themselves of their
learning. experience. virtue aud patriot
ism. 1t has also proved to the adven-
turcrs, white aud colored, that tile eyes
81 the nMlce coiorcd people are opened to
their selhshness and rupacity. i
Having arrived ut this conclusion. the
question Is, how can we avail ourselves
OF the power Of this nutive element and
got rid of the bad influence which boa
heretofore controlled it, using the colored
people as mere voting chattels. to nlnn-
der and ruin this. devoted State? Thev
need and desire the virtue, intelligence
and experience of tho native white neo.
pie. The white people cannot maintain
the ancient virtue, dignity and, honor of
this old State, unless the native colored
people I'll! cc.orcSs:o with them. Tie
corruption OF this State Government is
notorious; brihes are openly offered to.
and received by, Senators and Repre-
sentatives; high officials are engaged in
speoulating in the stocks and bonds of
the State; ell these great crimes are
oelng perpetrated openly here in the
capital, and there has not been the first
prosecution commenced to prevent them.
In word, the ancient honor of the
proud old State is lost and gone. Every
white man and every colored man. who
is native South Cnrolinian, must de-
plore this disgraceful and humiliatino
condition. Il ,ET
Your committee believe that the public
mind 10 ripe to correct this evil and cure
this disgrace, and. therefore, propose the
following resolutions:
eseResofoed, That we recommend to the
the passage of un election
Law, by which the 60,OUO tax. paving
voters will have proportionate repre-.
sentation in tho Legislature of the State.
with the 90, 600 voters who pay n taxes.
a. proposition 30 just, reasonable and
conscientious cannot full to commend
itself favorably to every right-mindcd
citizen. Respectfully snbmitted. .
JAMES CHESNUF, ChairmsM
Your committee, 10 whom was referred
the resolution providing that the Exccu-
tive Committee with the President of
this Convention. shall have it in charge
to protect the interest represented by
this Convention during the interval Of
adjournment, to keep in view the current
legislation, and to call the Convention
together at such time as they think pro.
per, beg leave to report TINT they have
mad the same under consideration and
recommend it's adoption. Respectfully
II. G. SMART
For the Executive Committee.
at P. A.. the Convention took a re-
cess to 2. Nj.
Lf AFTERNOON SESSION. ~
. The committee of five on tho postpone,]
hent OF the collection of taxes were ap
pointed as follows: II. Y. Simons, w.
NJ: Shannon. M. L. Bonharn, james R.
Giles, j. 2. Richardson. ..-~,, ---r-f
Mr.. Marley, from the Executive Com
mittee, reported regarding the mort
cages on the Blue Ridge Railroad, show
ing IN eloquent and betting terms that
the whole scheme was swindle, and an
outrage upon the good credit OF the
state. The report was agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Wnrley, it wos
Resoloed. That when the Convention
adjourn, it adjcurns to meet tomorrow,
mt 10 O'Clock.
Qn motion Of b. II. Wilson, it was
Z, Resolped, Tint the Executive Commit
tee be increased by tho addition of the
names OF Armistead Burt and Nj. l..