Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-04-06
[From , Enterprise aud MIountainccr.]
The Call of a Constitutional Con-
ventiOn.

Mr.. Eduor-I propose to submit some
reasons why the people of South Carolina
should call convention for the purpose of
adopting new State Constitution. Every
people in Republic have right to form
their own constitution and o,g,nize their
own form of Go, crnment They may do
this Us often as it shall seem proper to
them. The first Constitution of South
Carolina, adopted immediately after tho
Declaration of Amcricun Independence, was
thrown aside aud another formed during
the Revolutionary War. a third was
ticn of the Uuited States. Again fourth
was formed after the close of our civil war,
aud when tile State was reconstructed by
Congress, the negroes, carpet baggcrs and
scalawags met in convention aud formed
the present one. This was done when
almost all tho intelligent property -holders
aud prominent citizens Of tho State were
DISTINGUISHED, and not allowed to vote for
delegates to tho convention. Since that
time circumstances have changed and now
| the Government of tho State is in the
possession, once more, ot the white race
Is it right, is it proper, is it patriotic and
honorable that we should continue to live
under Constitution formed by rosues and
scoundrcIs, aud which we hud no agency
whatever in making? All tho other
Southern States, after the overthrow of the
Rndicul regime, have adopted new Coustl-
tutions. South Carolina should do tho
same. Honor and self respect, as we'll as
patriotism and wisdom require that We
should discard and trampo in the dust this
badge of negro -carpct- bug-scalawag rule.
This alone should appeal to the pride Of
every one for chnnge no matter how good
the present Constitution may be.
But there are many moro defeots in it.,
some Of which will now proceed to point
out: In the first place, the declaration of
rights authorizes the Legislature to confer
on my petty officer "the power of suspend.
ing the laws, or the execution Of the laws"
| This is a most dangerous feature IN the
Constitution; aud l suppose was intended
usurpatlon, protect their criminals aud
thwart the Democrats i'll bringing some of
them to the gallows or sending them to the
pcnitcnIary.
Again, this declaration of rights en-
powers the Legislature ito subject persons
to martial law, and to pains and penalties
by virtue of that law" This provision is
go much ut war with civil liberty and Re-
pubIican institutions, that it may be pro-
nounccd monstrous and daboical.
Tho tw"nty.cighth section of the de-
cluration of rights authorizes tho Legisl,-
ture "to keep up a standing army in time
OF peace" contrary to the Constitution Of
the United States, and for the express pur-
puse OF protecting their infamous oppres-
sons and exactions over tho property
holders Of the State.
Judges arc forbidden to charge the
juries On matters of facts" when it is i'm
portant 10 many cases for the presiding
Judge to give his views of the facts,
leaving the jury to fud as they may think
proper.
The Legislature is forbidden to pass any
law denying the right of suffrage to orimi-
nuls convicted of perjury, rape, larceny,
burglary, arson and many other infamous
offences! The Radical party foresaw that
thousands of their followers would be con-
voted of these offences and they did not
wish to lose thoir votes. 1t is a shame and
disgrace to the State, that criminals
should be allowed to vote for members
OF tho Legislature, Governor, members Of
Congress and Presidential electors.
There is also provision 10 this Constitu-
ton, thut no one shall be deprived of the
right of suffrage on account of any con-
viction Of my Infamous crime whilst he
was slave
The Constitution guards, likewise,