Year: 1866

What is the matter with Mr.. Yates OF
the Charlotte Dem0crut? Last summer we
heard him speak rather in favor OF the adop-
ton of the Constitution as amended by the
so-callcd bogus Convention. Next we bear
him talking rather strangely about the How
ard Amendment to the Federal Constitution.
Now we hear him urging the Legislature to
abolish the offices of Adjutant General and
State Geologist. These last, 1t Is true, 1t
abolished. would produce little saving to
the State, but nothing compared with what
would be lost if she be cursed with another
such Convention as We alluded to above. 1t
the amended Constitution had been adopted,
we should have had a Lieut.. Governor to
pay Not much to be sure, but something
willie on duty. We are opposed to the abol-
ition of the Offices of the Adjutant General
and that of the State Geologist, because we
think they are important, and as Il State we
should not be without them.


But what is the matter with friend Yates
He is IL gentleman of prudence and sagacity,
and usually right. We fear he is wrong.
Salisbury Banner, N0rens6er 18Th.


For some time past we have refralned from
writing anything about Federal politics, be-
lieving that it would do no good for South
ern Editors to medde in such matters at
present. We have been content to merely
keep our readers posted in regard to passing
events and the actual condition of affairs
waiting for a more proper time to give our
own individual views. The above para
graph from the Salisbury Banner is couched
in such polite and friendly terms that we
ought not to pass it over in silence.


We assure the Banner that there is nothing
the matter with US but an earnest desire to
SCI peace restored to the country, good feel
ing prevail among all our people, and per
feet security for persons and property. We
are UidunLty, as we'll as generally, inter-


Il
boast we will say that have much
property and as large family dependent
on the proper settlement of national affairs as
the majority of our citizens who take an in
terest in such matters. In the South we
expect to live and die, and if any one were
to assert that we are not fully identified
with the Southern people, we should feel
disposed to say that he was guilty of false
hood. We want no office for ourself. and
would accept of none neither have we any
particular tavorites to elevate.


We were decidedly in favor of ratifying the
new Constitution adopted by the late Con-
vention. 1t was an improvement on the old
Constitution, and if it had been adopted our
Courts would have been relieved of trying
numerous cases that might be settled by
Justice of the Peace, thus saving the counties
heavy expense. Besides, the business before
our State Legislature would have been expe-
dited, and |" log-rolling" and bargaining''
prevented by that provision in the new Con-
stitution which forbid the election of mem
Der of the Legislature to any office. 1t has
been too much the practice for men to go to
the Legislature for the purpose OF having
themselves elected to some other Office. The
late Convention was not bogus assemblage.
if it was bogus, then we have a set of bogus
State officers, Judges, &c, because they were
elected by authority of that Convention.


We have uttered no strange sounds about
the Howard amendment-we stand by what
we have heretofore said, viz that we should
prefer that the Southern States should adopt
that amendment rather than have all our
State officers turned out, a Provisional Gov
eminent re-established, negro suffrage forced
upon us, large bodies of U. S. soldiers quar-
tered in the South, and probably conisca-
tion enforced We don't like the amend
ment, but if it was not adopted we should
have to endure and submit to a great deal
worse terms For expressing these views we
have been called timid. We make no pre-
tentions to much bravery, but we claim to be
clutious, and, as public Journalists, actuated
by sincere desire to promote the common
welfare of our people.


We are not disposed to repro ach or denounce
those who oppose the amendment, but we
must be allowed to say that it is an easy
matter for many men who have nothing to
lose to denounce and defy the powers that
be, and talk big words. We do not claim
to he more patriotic, or wise, or arseeing,
than many Others, but we respectfully sub
nit that if the times and circumstances do
not require prudence in language and cay
tion in action on the part of these who must
suffer greatly if our national difficulties are
not speedily settled.


1t is said that an effort is being made to
effect compromise between the President
and Congaess on the basis of permitting ne
gr' suffrage. If, such an arrangement is
made we shall expect to see our friends of
the Salisbury Banner and many others who
are now decIaiming against the Howard
amendment, proclaiming in favor oft. For
our own part, we prefer that the question of
suffrage should he left for each State to set |
tie for itself, where we conceive that the
Howard amendment leaves it. If the negoes |
are permitted to vote, let them understand |
that VIC of the South grant them that privi-