Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. Saturday Morning, May 4, 1867. Convention or no Convention. We published, yesterday, another letter from ex-Governor B. F. Perry, which, of course, will be generally read; but, afc the same time, we must be permitted to send forth with it to our readers our own convictions in relation to the question discussed and thc arguments the writer has brought forward to sustain his posi? tion. We take issue with him, both ns regards his arguments and the conclusions deduced therefrom. We sincerely regret that Gov. Perry has felt it to be his duty, as a man promi? nent in the councils of this State for many years, to attempt to make thia issue before the people. We consider it unfortunate, in every respect, that suoh an issuo should be made at a time when it is utterly futile-an issue which, even (,if seriously consi? dered and tba position of its origi? nator endorsed by a portion of the people, can only be productive of a useless and damaging discord, where perfect unity is desirable. As mat? ters now stand in this State, as far as qur observation extends, the people seem determined to comply with the provisions of the bill commonly called the Reconstruction Act, and which, until its provisions are com? plied with, subjects them to a mili? tary "government. Wo will pass over the Governor's reiteration of his own consirr?moy in political life-all admit it; and al? though that uniform, straight-forward coarse throughout was mostly at variance with the political tenets of the people of South Carolina and the teachings of ber great leaders, yet his remarkable adhesion to his hete? rodox opinions, "so-called," always attraoted general attention, if not admiration. We will also forbear comments on the implied egotism, in the assumption that be foresaw and predicted all the dire evils which fol? lowed secession; for that the results of the late conflict happened to give him a right to the claim of a true prophet? of evil, cannot be denied. But suppose these results had been otherwise-suppose the South had been able to successfully maintain the cause she so manfully espoused, and escaped all those evils, ' 'loss of pro? perty in slaves," the absorption or destruction of other property, and a thousand other ills which the deso? lating storm of war heaped upon her-what then? It was a supposa? ble case, and had the supposition been verified, we imagine we would havo heard nothing of the Governor's untoward prophecy. As it might have been then, so is it now, only a little moro BO. Then men who were possessed of that "dastardly virtue called prudence," (we use Governor Perry's own words,) in tho discretion which that virtue teaches and en? joins, clearly saw that the United States was a great nation, with bound? less resources at home and abroad; and that-using J, homely phrase tho poor South stood no ohance in a struggle with her-therefore their course, and therefore their gloomy prognostications. Now, when all their prognostications have been ful? filled; now, when the South, through, perhaps, that samo "dastardly vir? tue"-but we won't say what cause feels that she made a mistake, and her prominent leaders confess that she did make a grand mistake, and consequently urge upon her to re? trace her steps, and take the only course left her to retrieve her error they aro told that their counsels aro "appeals to base fear"-such men ns Generals Lee, Beauregard, Long? street and a host of others can afford to stand that, however-and the policy they commend denounced as "criminal folly," "delusion," Ac. We appeal from Governor Perry, invested as he is with a life-long devotion to the Union, to the people of South Caro? lina, and ask them if thero is any just causo for such denunciations of the counsels of their tried and trusted leaders, who, after doing all-with the gallant oo-operation of their peo pl*-that men could do to maintain tho causo they had espoused, and failed, now adviso them to return to their allegiance to that Government which they had renounced, and to that Union they had vainly essayed to dissolve. No! The counsels aro those of manhood, courageous en? durance, and we may add, undor our present political condition, of ?tat?a man sh ip; whilst tho other course fruitless carping, cavilling and snarl? ing, and the policy urged, inaction lead to but ono inevitable result, the utter annihilation of tho statua of South Carolina os a State, the entire disfranchisement of her people, and it may be and probably will be-not the figurative spectre of "tho raw head and bloody bones" of confisca? tion introduced by tho Governor but tho aotual fact, brought, iu the most indisputable mode, to tho home? stead and plantation or farm of every man in the State. A calm review of the legislation of tho majority in Congress, for the past two years, will sustain us iu this conviction, if tho people refuse, or negatively reject, by inaction, tho terms of reconstruc? tion proposed to them. But we pass ou to the so-called ar? guments of tho writer of this extra? ordinary letter, which ho adduces to sustain his position. The specious and, at ono time, very popular ap? peals to the State pride, etc., of Caro? linians-at that time, however, very much decried by Governor Perry and his few followers in this State-aro not arguments, and are scarcely worthy of attention. When Gov. Perry tells the citizens of this State that, by complying with the require? ments of a law they have no power to resist, "they are going to sacrifice their honor as a peoplo;" wheo he asks this question of the people, while acting under these require? ments, "can it be, that the pr i do of Carolina has sunk so low and been so degraded?" and when he tells them that, by so doing, they are "voting awoy their honor as mon and Caro? linians," we are bewildered, if not astounded, for the moment, and be? gin to think wo aro wrong, and that our counsel and exhortations are mischievous, if not traitorous, to the State. But when we turn to tho con? duct of such a man ?a Robert E. Lee, when he surrendered his gallant army; and when we reflect on his course and the authenticated ex? pression of his opinions on the political situation since; when we read the deliberate and statesman? like views of such tried mon as Gene? rals Beauregard, Hampton, Long? street and many other of the military leaden of the Southern people, who havo been tried and not "found want? ing;" and when, in addition to those, we havo tho persistent and urgent counsel of a largo number of distin? guished leaders in the field of South? ern politics, men of talent and expe? rience, we are consoled by the reflection that wo aro in good com? pany, and that, if we aro "counsel? ing the peoplo to their own degrada? tion and ruin," (tho Governor's words again,) we aro doing so in concert with some of tho bravest and pnrest men, whom not on'y tho South, but tho whole country, can boast of. But, before we leave this flippant talk-wo uso tho word with duo re? spect-about sacrifico of honor, vo? luntary degradation and all that, which tho "no-convention" mon so glibly indulge in, wo beg leave to call tho attention of Gov. Perry, and all those who think with him, to a single paragraph from a letter just written by Gov. Throckmorton, of Texas. It is this: "It is neither wiso nor patriotic to be sullen and indifferent, to invite additional trouble, and to contribute by such acts to induce tho further confusion and disaster that will surely follow by delay. On the other hand, there is every incentive to action. Peace, with her many attendants ol prosperity, happiness and good-will, invite it. Fraternal accord, with tin renewal of respect and esteem amonp countrymen, suggest it. The perpe tuity of the Government of om fathers, disenthralled from sections animosities, and unembarrassed bj fanaticism, demand it. Tho geniui of the founders of Americnn liberty implores it. Tho renewal of nationa greatness upon an enduring basis ; requires it. Tho sad condition o thousands of our suffering, starving countrywomen and orphan childrei and disabled heroes, plead for it Our own powerless and helpless con I dition, diotntcs it. Then let us no hesitate, but march boldly to tb work boforo us. By compliance wit) tho terms of Congress, wo no mor express our approval of the law thai wo did when we complied with tb terms of tho President's proclama tion, by abolishing slavory and repu diating oar public debt. Wo hat lost tho prize for which wo fought Wo made that sacrifice as an eames for our desire to bo restored to ou rights iu tho Union. There teas n sacrifice of honor involved then-ther is none now." There is moro forcible trutli in tb i I paragraph, brief aa it is, an& mor ! real sound argument wM?k sk o ul I weigh with the Southern people at this time, than in all the vapid decla? mation about, and ill-timed appeals to, State pride, honor, &c. And now for another point. Gov. Perry may consider "it a source of proud satisfaction that Governors Sharkoy, Jenkins and others (origi? nal Union men) stand firmly "in breasting tho storm of tyranny and degradation that has been hurled at them"-by this, wo presume, mean? ing the appeal to tho Supreme Court; but, cn this point, wo again toke leave to call his attention to another distinguished Southern jurist, with whom, perhaps, bois acquainted, id so a strong Union man-Judge John A. Campbell, of Alabama. Ho has also written a letter on the situation, in which he says: "Ten States are now submissive to a form of Government unknowr to the Constitution of the United States. The judiciary power of the Union is dependent for its organization and distribution upon ' Congress. It is. quite fair to conclude that no.ar? rangement of the judicial power would be suffered to remain, that se? riously incommoded the enforcement of these measures. Nor'am I able to percorvo that the judicial power under* its present organization is adequate to afford substantial relief in the ex? iling emergency, even if the opinion '??f .'he courts were ns favorable as rup nt bo desired. 'I regard it as au inexorable fact, that there is no constitutional oppo-' sition that can be made to the milita? ry bills, that will have any other ope? ration than to increase tho existing anarchy. "These military bills afford to tho people of the States, with large ex? ceptions, tho means of restoring tho supremacy of civil order, and termi? nate the domination of military rule. I may grant that the conditions aro harsh and rigorous; that they violato tho fundamental law of the United States; and that they promiso for tho future much of insecurity and insta? bility. But these admissions do not change the aspect of the question, as now presented, nor do they lessen tho obligations of our people to take the measures open to them that will best promote the common wool." There is wisdom us well as patriot? ism in the above extract, and we again recommend its suggestions to Governor Perry, and to tho careful consideration of nil our readers. Judge Campbell, in continuation, counsels the people to exerciso every right, exorcise every-faculty, and em? ploy every power that these military bills allow, with an undaunted cou? rage, unwearied in duty and an un? disturbed tranquility of soul, to ter? minate tho existing condition ol disorder. He says our people have shown a magnanimity, a heroism, a capability for self-sacrifice, under thc demands of duty, that will be recog nized and rewarded; l'and a submis? sion lo untoward events does not imply o surrender of these great principles." Now,* people of South Carolina, which is the right course to pursue that indicated by Governor Throck morton and Judge Campbell, or thai advised and urged by ex-Governoi Perry? Which exhibits tho moat manhood and noble endurance, to Baj nothing of mero policy or interest tliat of coming up to tho work of re construction like men, and making the best of a bad business, or tba of sullen indifference, which wil be regarded as contumacy bj those who had, and still have, tin power to dictate terms, and by givinf heed to very inappropriate and ill timed adjurations not to sacrifice ou; honor na a people, sulkily but surel; invite evils of greater magnitude thai those you hovo yet experienced? Ari tho pcoplo of South Carolina prc pared for an act of self-immolation by taking counsel from passiount appeals to a mere sentiment-ver injudiciously, if not mischievously put forth to a helpless people, Buffel ing from want, deprivation of mean: and cut off from all sources of reen peration-and not only solf-immolo tion nt the present, but the entai mont of all these dire evils upon th os who como after them? Let them rt fleet, and como to a decision, befon like tho madman quoted by Governc Perry, they butt out their brain against a wall, and hasten their doon and irrevocably fasten their own fat upon their posterity. There is ono moro argument at vanced by Governor Perry, which, i our humblo judgment, with all tb lights before us, is tho mero vision < a disordered imagination; and tin is a sort of black agrarianism. Ii quotes tho cry of a few stupid ni groes in Virginia, under tho toad ings of such vilo demagogues an charlatan?as Hunnioutt, asthewatcl wor?tk?f th s whoje rae?. Bat, t* i brief, wo rofer kim to all tho public meetings of the colored people in this State, the speeches of the intelligent among them, the resolutions that have been adopted at all such meet? ings, and to meetings elsewhere, a reference to which wo made in an editorial in yesterday's issue, and respectfully ask him where is "the shade of a shadow" of foundation for theso visionary apprehensions, and we must add, unjust allegations, against tho race alluded to? Political rights and privileges have been con? ferred upon tho loto slaves of tho South, but, at tho most, it has been in very fow exceptionable cases they havo intimated, by word or declared intent, any action of the kind, so in? judiciously brought to their notice in this letter. On tho contrary, as nil wo havo published in this journal goes to prove, the freedmen under? stand their true position, appreciate their newly acquired political rights, but in almost every instance, havo declined to step beyond tho lino of demarcation, either in a political or social, point of view, which their own good sens? ? has distinctly defined. Nor will they ever transgress in this respect, unless such teachings as that of Hunuicutt and men of that stripe are allowed tb have full sway; or un? less unwise suggestions and the ex? pression of unfounded npj^ehonsions may instil a different feeling, and evoke the very action which theso suggestions would naturally awaken and lead to in the minds of tho class referred to. But this dreaded result, as wo have already intimated, wo bo lievo to he-only tho mere shadow of fancied coming evil, which will never be realized in substauce, as wo have endeavored to give evidence of by unmistakable demo UP. trat io UH. We come'to tho conclusion, then, that it is 'Governor Perry, and not we or those who think with ns, who has conjured up a "raw bead and bloody bones" to "scare" the peoplo "into their own ruin aud degradation." The fear expressed by Governor Perry that thero aro many white per? sons in South Carolina who will vote for u convention under tho hope oi its repudiating the indebtedness ol tho State, is equally unfounded as tho apprehension we have just alluded to. Governor Perry may have better means of information than we possess, but our sincere con? viction is, that not ono ont of ten ol tko white people of South Caroliut ever thought of such a disgraeefn measure, and wo do not believe tba' one-tenth of this tenth-if there b( so many-would attempt to "inila ence tho negro vote to unite witl them" in carrying out such n project and still less do wo believe that nu; portion of tho whito citizens of thii Stato would, in return for this action "unite with tho negroes in parcellinj ont tho lands of the State." W< speak ^plainly when we nay that thi intimidating counsel to induce tin people to voto "no convention," i only a scare-crow; but, at the sann time, we conceive it to bo a slander ous allegation against the citizens o ?South Carolina, which is un warrnu te< in fact, and tho publication of whicl is to ba deeply regretted. Wo might pursue the subject mat ter of Governor Perry's letter stil further, but our limited spaco forbid it. We entertain neither persono nor political hostility to Mr. Perry but we felt it to bo our duty to ea press our dissent to tho views ho ha expressed, and tho issue which thes views suggest and prompt to our pee plo, ns unwise in conception and dar gerous to our futuro welfare as a pee plc. Oar limits to-day preclude mae] further comment upon this extrnoi dinary letter, and wo may refer to i again; but if our feeble voico conl reach every household and over voter in South Carolina, wo woul say to each and to all, that our onl hope for safety-our only tnngibl rebaneo for restoration to our right and tho retrieval of our shattered foi tunes-is in a prompt complianc with tho laws of Congress. Tho pee pie of South Carolina are peonliarl hablo to tho slanders of those wb aro opposed to them, when they d< nouueo them as impenitent rebel let us not, therefore, by A foolis contumacy, strengthen their hands < give any causo for their false allogi tiona. The wholo purport and tcn< of ex-Governor Perry's lotter we deoi unwarranted in fact, and do not r fleet tho feelings or sentiments of tl people of South Carolina at Mia pr sont ?rinfs i? their mtk?m. Zjiooal Item?. Ql?EENVITmi: AND COLUMBIA RAIX. BOAD COMPANY.-The annual meeting of tho stockholders of tins Company was held nt Nickerson's Hotel, on Thursday, May 2. Dr. M. LaBordo was called to tho Chair, and Mr. C. V. Carrington, Secretary of the Com? pany, requested to net ns Secretory of tho meeting. Tho Chairman ap? pointed n Committee to verify prox? ies, and called upon tho stockholders for tho amount of their individual stock. Tho Committee reported 40,161 shares represented. Tho President, H. P. Hammett, Esq., read tho report of tho Presi? dent and Directors of tho business and affairs of tho Company, for tho yoar 1866, and presorted it, together with tho Superintendent's report and tho tables of tho Auditor and Trea? surer and Foroman of tho Work- j shops as tho annunl report. On motion Of Rev. J. P. Boyce, the reports wero referred to a Com? mittee, consisting of Messrs. Aiken, Harrison, Townes, Hagood and Stern. The Convention then took a recess until 8 o'clock p. m. At the hour to which tho meeting adjourned, tho stockholders re-osseru bled, and D. Wyatt Aiken, Esq., Chairman of the Committeo on Re? ports, read their report, which, after some changes being made, was re? ceived and adopted, as follows: That they have examined the seve? ral points in these papers, which to the cursory reader invited investiga? tion. We report summarily tho en? tire indebtedness of the Company to be something over $2.250,00?. ,Tho expenses of the post year, both ordi? nary and extraordinary, have been n little over $300,000; of this amount, $125,000 havo been applied to tho reconstrnctiou of that portion of tho road destroyed by the war and fresh? et; tho total income for tho past year has been $251,000; tho actual debt of tho road hus, in tho past twelve months, increased $50,000, exclusive of tho interest accruing upon the bonded debt of the Company. That this amount was not larger was a source of surprise to your Commit? tee, who feel assured that the road, in its present condition, is much moro ablo to liquidate this increased in? debtedness, and successfully survive its existing encumbrances, thun it was a year ago to undertake to re? build to its present completion. The wants of the road are many and great, and to elevate it to tho position of a first-class railroad will require the expenditure of thousands of dollars to supply it with tho requi? site amount of rolling stock. Whenco these- funds are to be drawn, the Com? mittee are unable to suggest. They feel assured, from a careful examination of tho Treasurer's books, ? that every item in his too-condensed report can be substantiated. The Committee concur in tho sug? gestion of tho President, that the Act of tho Legislature, passed at tho ses? sion of 1866, relative to retiring cer? tain bonds of tho road, should bc adopted, and recommend such adop? tion to this convention. On motion of Gov. Orr, the Act o? the Legislature in regard to thc bonds was accepted by tho stockhold? ers. The annual election for President and Directors was gone into, and re? sulted in H. P. Hammett, Esq., being unanimously re-elected as President, and Rev. J. P. Boyce, Daniel Brown, Esq., Col. Simeon Fair, Alex. McBee, Esq., Hon. B. F. Perry, Col. L. D. Childs, A. C. Hawthorn, Esq., H. T. Farmer, Esq., Gov. J. L. Orr, Rob'l Stewart, Esq., Dr. J. W. W. Marshal and Col. J. P. Reed were re-elected Directors. Col. G. F. Townes offered tho fol lowing resolutions, which wore passed Resolved, That the stockholders o: tho Greenville and Columbia Eailronc; Company hnvq heard with satisfactior that tho railroad track from tho West is approaching Asheville, in Nortl Carolina-only sixty miles from th? head of tho Greonvillo and Columbu Railroad-and entertain hopes thai tho circumstances of tho country wil ero long warrant an extension of i connecting road from Greenville, tc meet tho railroad at or near Ashe v?lo. Resolved, That in the evont of sud connection, tho construction of i railroad from Ninety-Six, or its vid nity, to Aiken-for which a charter ii already granted by this State-wil afford to the business und trado be youd tho mountains a most direc connection with Charleston, as wei as with Columbia, and also placo tin South-west in near connection wi tl tho whole lino of tho Greonvillo am Columbia Railroad, and consequently with Ashovillo and roads conncctiuj therewith. On motion of Gov. Orr, tho fol lowing resolution was passed: Resolved, That tho President an< Directors of tho Greenville and Co lumbia Railroad be authorized t< make a fair and equitable arrange ment with tho Blue Ridgo Railroai Company, which will enablo them t run tho Greonvillo trains over th Bluo Ilidgo Railroad, and use th rolling stock of the latter Company. On motion of B. F. Crnyton, Esq, a resolution of thanks to Thomas fc Nickerson, Esq., for tho uso of th hall, was passed. On motion of Rev. 31 P. Boyeo, resolntion was passed tendering t Dr. M. IfeBorde ?We thanks df tra _1 convention for tho patient and cour? teous manner with which he kurt presided over their deliberations. On motion of Hon. B. F. Perry, tho convention adjourned sine dient 12 o'clook p. m. Jon PMNTTNO.-The Job Office of the Phoenix is ns complete as any in tho South. It is furnished with new fonts of typo of all descriptions and of tho most modern styles. All work executed promptly, with taste und skill, and at reasonable rates. A LITERARY JOURNAL.-The Weaner ia a large eight page o carlo journal, and from the first line on the first column of tho first pago to the lust line on the forty-eighth column, it fl abounds with select matter; em- I bracing, besides the news of tho fl week, choice tides, sketches and I poetry, which make it, ns its name I indicates, a true "home companion," I which no family in the State should J bo without. CARDS! CARDS!-Show cards, busi? ness cards, visiting and wedding cards, executed at -the PhcenLz Job Office, in tho neatest styles of tho art. Cards of all sizes constantly ou hand, and all orders from town or country promptly attended to. Wc learn that, at a meetiug of the Board of Directors of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad Company, held yesterday, C. V. Carrington, Esq., Secretary, was appointed Au? ditor-Capt. J. G. Edwards remain? ing as Treasurer of the Company. A HOME JOURNAL.-The best family journal now pubbshed in the South is tho Gleaner, issued from this office. It contains weekly eight pages of solid reading matter, exoluding ad? vertisements entirely. A specimen number will bo sent to any One de? siring to subscribe. TRAIN TO RE DISCONTINUED.-Our readers will see, by reference to out? advertising columns, that th? train which has heretofore left Columbia at 11.40 a. m., on the South Carolina Railroad, will be discontinued on and after to-morrow, the. 5th inst. SHOW POSTERS, HANDDILLS, AC. Our supply of type and facilities of press-work enablo us to turn out from the Phoenix of?co tho most attractivo styles of postern, hand-bills, &o., at short notice, and in tho most satis? factory manner. SUPPORT YOUR OWN JOURNALS. The Gleaner, issued every Wednes? day, from this office, defies competi? tion as a literary and news journal. Thoso who subscribe to it are kept well posted up in the current events of tho day, as it embraces Jhe telo-^ graphic news, political, commercial, T stato of tho markets, Ac, up to the hour of going to press. CIRCULARS! CIRCULARS!-Commer? cial and other circulars, in the various forms-note, letter and commercial post-neatly priutcd in our Joh Office, and all work of this descrip? tion finished in thebeststylo of print? ing, and at moderate prices. NEW AmrEivruuufXNTs.-Attention i??:.t*i ed to the following advertisements, which aro published this morning for tim tirst Mme: E. E. Jackson-Pure Toilet Soaps. Meeting of Hebrew Honovolent Society. 1). H. Miller-Attachment Notices. C% P. Jackson-Oil Cloths and Matthieu. Fisher A Heinitsh-Queen's Delight. J. M. Pringle-Religious Services. S. C. It. lt.-Discontinuance of Train. Long tales are usually uninteresting, but all consumers will bo benofitted and inte? rested by reading the entire r.dvertiseraent and then examining tho stock of Mr. lt. C. Shivor. AN OUTRAOE AND ARREST.-On Tuesday last, fifteen negro men were arrested near Florence under tho fol? lowing circumstances: Some two weeks since, Mr. ^ W. /.. Wingate was way-laid near his homo (below Florence) by nn organized band of negro men, and taken to the woods to bo hung; by beggiug and promising. Mr. Wingate was released, after giving up all his money-some ?$50. This gang was regularly organ? ized with officers; and the matter being reported to the commandant of tho post, tho above number of thom wero arrested and are now in confine? ment here.-Darlingion Southerner. LAWLESSNESS IN EDOEFTELD.-Tho Augusta Constitutionalist says: "Wo learned, yesterday, thnt two United States soldiers had been hung in Edgefield District, S. C., by a posse of citizens. Our informant could not ascertain on what pretext this outrage was committed. He further informs us that, en route for this city, he met an officor of tho army with ? guard on their way to investigate th? matter." A. T. Stewart's income, laat year wa? ?>,27?,7?8.72.