Year: 1865

l'-N0ShSiii Hfcii niO IsifC Deen reared


where the institution Of slavery has pre-


vailed


Now he did not want the late slave


holders to control the negro voters against


~hite men, Let each state judge of the


depository of its own political power


b. was for emancipation. He was for


emancipating the white man as we'll as the
black.


Mr.. Holmes asked Is not that alto
gether accomplished ?


The President replied that he did not
think - question fully settled The
question as to vhNher the black man shall


be engrafted in the constitution will be
settled as we 20 along He would not
disguise the fact that while be had been
prosecuted and denounced at the South as
traitor, he loved the great mass Of the
southerp people He opposed the rebel
lion at its breaking out, and fought it every
where, and now wanted to see the prin-
ciples of the government carried out and
maintained


Mr.. Holmes interrupted by saying: We
want to get back to the same position as
YOU describe as we are without law. no
courts are open, and you have the power
to assist us.


The President replied that the Govern
ment cannot so on Unless it is based on
right. The people of South Corolina must
have convention and amend their con-
stitution by abolishing slavery, and this
must be done in good faith, and the con
vention or Legislature must adopt the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution of
the United States, which prohibits and
excludes slavery everywhere.


One of the delegates said we arc most
anxious for civil rule, for we have had
more than enough of military despotism.


The President, resuming, said that as
the Executive, he could only take the in
ltatory steps to enable them to do the
things which it was incumbent upon them
to perform.


Another of the delegates remarked that
it was assumed in some parts of this
country that, IN consequence of the rebel
lion, the Southern States had forfeited
their rights as members of the Con fnaar
acy, and that if restored it could only be
on certain conditions, one of which was
that slavery shall be abolished This
could be done only through a convention.


The President replied that the friction
of the rebellion had rubbed slavery out. f.
hut it w0u'G be better so to declare by /
law As one of the delegates had Just
that the Constitution of South |
Carolina did not establish slavery, it were
hetter to insert a clause antagonistic to
slavery.


Judge Frost said, substantially, the oh !
iect of our PRAYER is the appointment of
a Governor. The State of South Carolina
will accept these conditions in order that /
law and order NAV be restored, and that
enterprise and industry may be directed |
to useful ends. We desire restoration as
soon as possible. 1t is the part of wisdom /
to make the best Of circumstances. Ger /
tain dolusions have been dispeled by the
revoiution-among them, that slavery is /
an clement Of political strength ond moral |.
power 1t is very certain that the old no
tion respecting State rights, in the main
tenance of which those who made the
rebellion in South Carolina erred. has /
ceased to exist Another de'usion. viz !
that cotton is king, has likewise vanished
in mist We are to come back with these
notions dispelled and with new system
of labor The people Of South Carolina
wi cordially cooperate with the govern
ment in making that labor effective and
elevating the negro as much as they can
1t is. however, more n work of time than
the labor Of enthusiasm and fanaticism
The people of the South have the largest
interest in the question. We are willing
to cooperate for selfish, if for no higher
notifies We have taken the liberty, en-
couraGed By your Kindness, to throw out
suggestions by which the policy of the
government will be most surely and cffec
lively subseryed. ] repeat that .he new
system Of labor Is to be inaucurated bv
sober, sound and discreet Judgment. The
negroes are ignorant Their minds are
much indamed with liberty They are
apt TO confound liberty with license. Their
great idea Is. | fear, that freedom consists
Of exemption from work We will take
In good faith and carry out our intentions
with zeal, and hope for the best; and none
viii rejoice more than the people of the
South if emancipation proves successful
Freedom to the slave is freedom to the
master, provided you can supply motive
for industry


The people of South Carolina, from
their fidelity to honor, have submitted to
great sacrifices; they endured all We
are defeated and conquered hy the North,
who are too strong for Us. The same good
faith which animated them in the contest
will not be found waiting in their pledge
Of loyal support to the government There
may grow out of this blessings which you
have not forpseon. and some pIeasinr ravs