The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-12-01
The Register and the Members OF the
General Assembly.

Elsewhere We copy an article nom our able
and wide-awake~ nelghbor the Columbia Re0t-
ter. This Ii ons not because we endorse the
views presented, but to show what . promi'
nent Journal Of the State thinks Of the me;n-
bers aud their expressions In reply 70 the
query by q reporter Of our cntcrprising eon-
temporary, the Charleston Neus and Courier.
We think II those mvoring n State ConVen-
ton ever had any hope OF the realization OF
their wishes, the recent action OF our repre-
sentatives in Columbia will Danish any such
expectation. They have expressed their hon
est convictions, and many Of them would
convey the Idea that they would, II they
could, by law, deprive u large Glars OF our cit
liens OF the right to vote. In 1875 We needed
the help OF every Democratic darkey and ev-
cry Red Shirt TO enable w to secure our re-
demption. II Is not necessary to remind the
public OF the fact that the Democratic aspi-
rants for office made the most solemn prom
Uses that they would protect the darkey in Nil
his rights. or course nobody ever dreamed
that q single Red Shirt would be legi'lsteo
out Of his civil rights. At tho end OF l"ur
years, however, diguined Senators and ~lse
LEGISLATORS express the belief that the oest
means Of p~erpetus,ing Democratic rule Is oS
the various devices which have been adVocat-
ei In the interview with the Neps and Co"-
,ier,s correspondent. b talk OF correcting
frauds on the part OF the negroes III volihs' "
a blind" SO thin that none Will m'l 10 "ee
through 1t. The people have the right ana
we believe they have the good sense t' e4et-
else 1t, to vote down ans proposition 10 no'd
. Convention, when the civil rights or the
may be legislated away, under the
mercst pretext. But the Legislature has the
right to enact q registration Law. This they
may do In such . way az to practically DIS
franchise q large class OF voters both white
and eolored. As q rule, however, the Consti-
tuition protects US from danger, and the con-
element OF the country Will not
readily surrender that instrument 10 tue
hands OF inexperienced statesmen to be tinR-
cred with by impracticable or designing
men. We very much mistake the SOUND
sense of our peonle, if they would vote for o
after reading tue article rom inc
Ne,rs and Courier.
The Registers article sounds little ionny
to one living at this distance from the capital
The editor Of the Reotster OF course secs no"
ridiculous many Of tho members have made
appear, and out OF The goodness
OF mis- heart, he seeks toexcnse them. and oeHs
arlful newspaper reporter to be more con-
side. a.e In the future, and not allow grave
Senators the opportunity OF uttering 'noi1-
Greet words. The mannerin which the Iee0ts-
ter describes the way In which innocent Sena-
tors fell into tho snares set by entorprising
newspaper men Is not without force, bat SEN
stors should be equal to the occasion. oven
while b,ushinx under the weightof their new
acquired :,honors. II these Senators should
be 10 indlscrset In the future AZ to fall Into the
hands OF q reporter, II would DO well to put
them under guard.