Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i i i i i II .'_ ?Ll _COLUMBIA. ; Wednesday Morning, July 8. 1868. Til? Amnesty Proclamation.., The President signalized the Fourth of July, 1S68, by a proclamation of general amnesty to the participants in tho resistance, whioh terminated over three y?ars ago, to the Federal Government in the South. He in? cludes in this proclamation all tho classes who were excluded in previous proclamations, excepting those under presentment or indictment iu ?he Courts. The last amnesty proclama? tion was September 7, 1867, and it excluded from its benefits, and from the benefits of tho .proclamation, of May 29, 1865, the President, vice President, and all heads of depart? ments of the Confederate Govern? ment; its agents in foreign States and countries; officers in tho army above tho grade of Brigadier-General, or in the navy | above tho rank of Captain; all who were Governors of States in tho Confederacy during the war;, all persons. treating .otherwise there a& lawful prisoners of war per? sons in the service of the United States; persons in civil or military custody at tho timo thoy may seek to obtain tho benefits ol'the proclama? tion, and all persons engaged, direct? ly or indirectly, in tho assassination of . Mr. Lincoln, or in any plot or conspiracy connected therewith. AU these, which embrace many officers of high rank, both in tho civil and military service of the late Confede- . racy, are pardonod by the present proclamation, with tho exception of Jefferson Davis, and other persons, against whom indictments have been found, and with the oxcoptiou of thoso who haye violated the laws of war in the treatment of prisoners. Tho power of tho President to par? don, by general proclamation, to par? don e/i masse or individually, to par? don before or after conviction, is conferred upon the Executive by tho Constitution, which expressly clothes him with "power to graut reprieves and pardous for offences against tho United States, except in cases of im? peachment." The effect of the pro? clamation of amnesty is to relieve political offenders of tho conse? quences of their offences against pub? lic order. It is, literally, a forget? ting, a putting away from remem? brance, an act of oblivion, which, in domestio disturbances and civil wars, is a necessary prelude to peace. It works a restoration, if the pardoning power so proclaims, as tho President did in the proclamation of last Sep? tember, (and the present proclama? tion?) of all privileges, immunities and rights of property, except in slaves,- "and oxcept, also, as to any property of which any person may have been legally divested by tho laws of' tho United States." It hos beeu remarked, ho ?rever, that of &11 the instances of amnesties which history affords, there have been few in which governments have not found means to punish their op? ponents without openly violating their promise of pardon, and so far as the removal of political disabilities is concerned, the reconstruction acts of Congress havo rendered tho am? nesties of tho President of little ef? fect. We congratulate the country, how? ever, that general amnesty has at lost been declared. It would have been better and moro croditablo to tho na? tion, if it had beon'iproclaimed at an early period. And now wo have to regret that the rubbish of isolated treason indictments, hero and thero, is not swept away with it. Their very isolation renders tho injustice of prosecuting them moro palpable, while nothing could well bo moro pro? fitless'; for it is undoniablo that tho country is in no mood to witness pun? ishments such as aro prescribed. What rational hoing in tho United States, asks tho Baltimore Sun, wants tho life of Jefferson Davis or any other of those who, by tho force of circumstances simply, were mado the representatives of a cause which was itself the offspring of a war of ideas aud principles ? Is thero not wisdom enough to seo that the temporary pas? sion against u? of these has passed away, and that the thoughts of tho American people aro not employed on vindictive measures against any one, bnt are in an altogether different di? rection, and aro engaged upon more rational and practical matters-their own interests-which aro involved in the restoration ol the conn try to its political and material prosperity. Tho New York Herald, qt tb?^thf speaking pf tho proclamation, says : "It is appropriate that on this day, thei'anniversnry of oar national in dependencp, an not of clemency like this should be performed, and the last barrier .to a complete restoration of the Union. and return of kindly and fraternal feelings between the two great sections of the republic swept away, far into the irrevocable past, forever. So fur, then, as he can, Mr. Johnson has given the fluishiug touch to the work of recon? struction. Io the proclamation, be declares that tho time hos arrived when civil law should bo supreme in the Sout'i ; that there is no reasona? ble ground for apprehending a re? newal of tho rebellion; that pains and penalties for offences committed and long since expiated are unneces? sary, and that a continued military rule, denial of the right of triol by jury, and suspension of tho writ of habeas corpus in a time of profound peace, are prejudicial to, and in con? flict with, the spirib of our republi? can institutions. On this day, there? fore,- Jefferson Davis is. the only man remaining unpardoned, and he would probably haye been made a subject of Executive clemenoy, had not his indictment for treason prevented it. "This latest o inc i ni ucfc of the Pre? sident will be received with satisfac? tion throughout the oou?try, for although the number of persons bou eli t ted by the proclamation is comparatively small, it comprises tho leading men of tho South. So long as they wero kept alienated from tho mass Of their fellow-citizens, and held liable to indictments and trials on charges of treason, so long was tho work of pacification incomplete. Such naen as Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, and other rebel leaders, are tho imo representatives of tho Southern people, aud it is well that their disabilities have been removed, at least to tho extent that tho Execu? tive can romovo them. Wo' have nothing to fear from them in tho fu? ture, aud there is muoh to hope from men who, however mistaken their cause, fought us with a valor which has mado the name of au Americau known throughout the civilized world as the synonyme for heroism. "Wo feel a profound pleasure that on this day there dwells no political pariah in tho United States. Tho lawless deeds of a Jacobin Congress may for a while longer keep beueath the heel of despotism the late rebels of the South, but tho people will soon relieve them of their burden. If tho voico of wisdom and moderation shall prevail in tho councils of tho Conventions thatassomble in this city to-day, the ninety-third anniversary of Americau Independence will bu ns glorious and memorable as was the first. Universal amnesty aud supre? macy of the law will then march on linked together ; tho bloody pages of our four years of civil war and the leaves on which aro inscribed the his tory of radical tyranny and misrule will be closed forever, and a future full of peaoe, friendship and pros? perity will be the destiny of tho country. Henceforth, instead of, re? proaches and recriminations, the Southern and the Northern man can clasp each other's hands in fraternal grasp, and if, as they must, memories of what has been shall come hack at times, they will cause no bitterness only regret at that which was perhaps inevitable. Mr. Johnson baa per? formed a praiseworthy action ia every ry respect. We have had enough of bloodshed and of political strife. Whatever may have been their faults, the people cf the South aro our countrymen, and there is much ia their history that should make us proud to own them ns such. Their destiny is ours, just as ours is theirs. From this proclamation of amnesty, let us hope, that brighter and happier years will come, aad that peace, which wo so ardently desire, may follow in its wake." A Mexican correspondent gives tho details of a plan of aunexation of the Northern States of Mexico to tho United States, in which tho Govern meuta of Eoglaud, Franco, Mexico aod the Uoited States aro coocerned. All holders of claims against Mexico, of whatever nationality, aro to bo satisfied. Tho only hopo of their payment lios^ in the Uuitod States, a nd the interference and assumption by our Government of all the vast indebtedness of Mexico, in consi? deration of tho transfer to the United States by Mexico of her Northern tier of States. It is confidently ex? pected that this will be the result of tho enforcement by England of a vigorous blockade of Mexican ports. Now York is very glad to hear that Congress has made an appropriation for the removal of the reef in the Hell Gate ohannel-a measure so greatly to be desired on behalf of our Northern coasting trade and even of European ships, which may find it convenient to descend upon us in that direction. Gon. Newton and all oouoerned will, no doubt, go to work as soon as possible, so that wo may have both our great tho? roughfares in order about the same time-that free passage by tho Sound and that longer passage by railway to San Francisco. These two achievements will benefit this oity incalculably.-Nexo York Times. t Democratic P?pe^-^I?o. 3. THE NEW liEGISIiATUBE AND THE NEW 1 y' "*^8TATK OOVKBNMKNT. On Monday last, the Legislature forced opon the people of South C. ? rolina by the Congress of tho United States, .acting "outside of the Con? stitution"-and the new State officers, elected under tbe same auspices, took their respective posts. Tt is proper ! to refer now to some figures whioh i already have been given, and whioh are especially pertinent now. I quote from the speech of tho Hon. George Vickers, of Maryland, in the United States Senate, June 8, 1868. This Senator, it appears, strongly opposed the bill admitting the States of North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisinna, Georgia, Florida and Alabama to representation in Congress, and, in tho course of his able remarks, he uses very freely tho facts, and figures, and points made in the appeal put forth by the Stato Central Executive Committee of the Stato. Take the Legislature, which baa assombled here -he shows that it consists of whitos, fifty-seven ; colored, ninety-eight. The forty-six radical whites pay of State taxes, on an average, about seven dollars each. The ninety-eight co? lored legislators pay, on an average, about seventy cents each. Further, oi tho ninety-eight colored members, tixty-seven pay no taxes at all. With respect to tho Governor elect and tho seven other State officers, they pay, on au average, each two dollars and eleven cents, observing that six o? thom pay no tates al all-tho Lien tenant-Governor and tho Adjutant aud Inspector-General dividiug be twoen them tho honors of tho aforo said two dollars and cloven cents. This is tho body, and theso tin Stato officers, that assam o to ropre sont tho State of South Carolina Wo aro powerless to prevent it; but for one, we denounce this thing a; an outrage and a farce. Aud wo ap peal to our fellow-citizens-to those who represent tho wealth, tho intelli genco and tho integrity of th? ?State-to rise in their strength une their influence, and by peacefu means to rid tho State, as soon a possible, of this rudicul incubus Our hopes in tho future-our memo ries in the past-our exigencies in th present-all alike demand this ut on hands. Well may tho Hon. Mr Vickers say: "Mr. President, I ask if tho Sc unto of' tho United States will reooivi a Stato into this Union ou a Consti tntion thus formed aud a Govern meut thus instituted? It was *tax.i tion without representation' that prc doced, in a great degree, tho war c our independence; it was ono of th groat burdens aud evils complaine of by our fathers, that they 'wei taxed without representation; bu hcr^, in this Government, wo hnv not only tho people taxed withoc representation, but wo have th grievance doubly . intensified b haviug representation virtually witl out taxation. Co.uld there bo a moi flagrant wrong upon any free p'?opl than we impose by accepting th Constitution and form of Goveri mont?" * * * * * * "Is it possible that wo aro to gr to theso 'ignorant millions' tho pr pouderance over tho white raco wi own the land and other .proper ty i tho South, and enable them to i m po taxes without limitation ? Tho coi mittee from South Carolina, to who I hnvo alluded, have given in the appeal the items of taxes to bo rais< in that State. I will not trouble tl Senate by going over tho dotails, b will give tho aggregate, which is Si 230,050. These gentlemen say :' "The late assessment of real esta throughout tho State, city, town, ai country, is $70,507,075, on which tax levied of three per cont, will rai 02,115,212. If real estate owners n to defray the expenses of the Stal it will require moro than threo j: cent, to meet them. Formerly it w about one-half per cent., and th too, when lands aud real estate general had not depreciated in vah "Shall we, by the adoption of tl bill, commit tho wholo property that State, valuod at 870,000,000, a tho taxes of tho Stato, amounting $2,000,000, into tho hands of tin men who pay no taxes comporativ< -many of whom pay none absolu ly-and who, therefore, have no int est but to inoreaso taxation and < penditures?" And in concluding his speech, w< also, may tho Senator add these woi of sober truth: "I contend that this bill ought bo postponed, because it cannot b permanent measure. It is impossil: in the naturo of things, that it c produce peace, harmony, anti pr pcrity in tho South. I suppose Senator who looks at it can fai concludo that this measure can p?rimaient in its character and p ductive of happy and fortunato suits. I know tho question is a tr blesomo one to Congress, and I hi ho doubt they r.ro noxious to disp of it I am as anxious as any mc ber of the Souate ; but when i disposed of, let it bo onoo and f ever. * If we pass this bill, who T answer for the consequences that n follow, if a conflict should ensue be? tween the moos ? Senators, it is not a permanent measure ; it is not one fraught with good, but it may be with ovil. I hcpe it is not. I earnestly hope that it may redound to the in? terests of my country; but I can see nothing bub trouble, strife and. ca? lamity before us, if it is forced upon the South. You had better defer it until a moro auspicious period." ? t9ti T. TUG LKGISLATURE. SECOND DAT'8 PROCEEDINGS. SENATE. Pursuant to adjournment, the Se? nate convened at 12 M. yesterday. The journal of tho previous day was read and confirmed. After the transaction of some un? important business, B. F. Whitte more offered a joint resolution cover? ing the proposed XLVth Article of the Constitution of tho United States, which, after a brieffcdobate, in the progress of which J. J. "Wright, B. F. Randolph, C. P. Leslie and others, expressed their disinclination to vote for any measure which con? templated tho disfranchisement of any man in the State; but felt con? strained to sustain tho resolution, as an act of expediency and necessity. The resolution was pussed by a vote of 23 ayes to 5 nays, the hitter being Messrr?. IT. Buck, of Korry; D'. Bie mau,.of Ocouee; J. H. Reid, of An? derson; T. A. Rogers, of Bickens, and R. M. Sims, of Lancaster. The resolution went to tho House for con? currence. Tho drawing for beats was then made, with thc following result: Lona Term-Four Years.-Corbin, Arnim, Alleu, Buok, Bienian, Hayne, Hnj-es, Leslie, Montgomery, Owens, Rainey, Rutland, Randolph, Rose and Wright. Short Terni-Tico Years.-Cain, Coghlan, Duncan, Hoyt, Tillson, Maxwell, Nash, Reid, Rogers, Sims, Swails, Whittemore and Wimbush. The rest of the session was devoted to the reading of u message from ex Governor Orr, (contained elsewhere in our columns,) which was ordered to be received as information, aud to business of no public interest. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M. The jonrunl was road and con? firmed. Tho reading of tho message from ox-Governor Orr cousnmed tho prin? cipal part of thc session of the duj. Thc message was received as inform? ation. A joint resolution, covering and proposing to adopt the constitutional amendment, was received from tho Senate, and made tho special order for to-day, at half-past 12 o'clock. Alter unimportant business, the House adjourned until 12 m. to-day. Gov. Merrill, of Iowa, has pardon ed Catherine Me Ardale, who was sent from Jackson County four years ago to tho State Penitentiary for life. Sho confessed to tho murder of her husband, and was sentenced to be hanged, but her sentence was com? muted by Gov. Stone. It was after? ward found that she was entirely innocent, and that her son was the guilty person. To save him from the gallows, she had avowed that sho was guilty of the crime. General Canby has mado the fol? lowing changes in the municipal go? vernment of Charleston: George W. Clark, to bo Mayor, vice Brevet Col. M. Cogswell, Major 8th Iciantry, U. S. A., who in hereby, relieved. Alex? ander Lindstrom, to bo Alderman, vice Georgo W;' Clark, appointed Mayor. G, M. King, to bo Alder? man, vice James Green, declined. Walter Cade, to bo Alderman, vice John H. Lawton, declined. DEA :ir OF COD. WM. J. ALSTON. Wo regret tp record tho sudden death of this gentleman on Saturday last. He is said to have fallen dead, while walking across his room, from a sLoke of paralysis. Col. Alston frequently represented this District in the General Assembly, and took an active part in its affairs. ? Winnsboro News. Cnor.s IN CHESTERFIELD.-Tho Che raw Advertiser says : Eight days more of scorching drought, has done its work upon vegetation, leaving gardens scorched and almost ruined, and the corn twisted, and turning yellow. If such weather continues many days longer, early corn will be almost ruined. Oats aro seriously in? jured ; but the cotton looks finely. Immigration from Europe to tho United States never was so largo as now. One hundred and thirty-of tho best steamships aro running, and many of the pcoplo coming are of a high class, having monoy, skill, and brains. The Schuotzeufest was largely at? tended on Friday again, and all proceeded merrily until d.30 p. m., when the shooting was stopped, a man having been accidentally killed at the corner of Seventy-ninth street and first avenue, by a stray bullet. Owing to the cheap fare, by tho I Long Island Sound steamers, 700 ! Lowell factory girls mado a descent ou New York one day last week. A local paper estimates their expendi? ture at about sixty cents a head. Reports from North China state that the rebels have met with recent successes, and that Pekin is seriously menaced. Iiooal T.toms. INAUGUBATION OF THE GoYKIiXOK EiiECT.-General R. K. Scott, the Governor elect, will be inaugurated to-day, a{ 1 o'clock, in the .Represen? tative chamber-Janney's Hall. 5^ In the House, on Monday, W. J. Whipper, the talented colored mem? ber from Beaufort, took the position that the principles of tho Republican party required that the colored man should be recognized 'ns;eligible and entitled to any office of honor, profit or trust conforred; and that if they refused to execute this pledge, tho party was unworthy of public confi? dence, and should be destroyed. Much feeling was indicated by many of the colored members in tho debate; DeLargo and others 'opposing the measure; and the subsequent ballot for a Speaker, showed undecided preference for one of their own race. DISTINGUISHING POINTS OF DISTIN? GUISHED INDIVIDUALS.-Decidedly the most distinguished looking man iu tho House is a colored member from County, who, with an African cast of head, and a pair of spectacles over his Roman nose, is suggestive of tho "traveled monkey." Decidedly the handsoinest mau in the House is that aspirant that may be noticed there, for a certain high fedoral office. Decidedly tho smartest man of tho radical members, in tho House, is Whipper, from tho "County" of Beaufort. He thinks that black men ought to rule-that a smart negro is better than a scalawag. Wo think that if Whipper, instead of Elliott, had been put in norninnHon foi Speaker, in vain would Moses have tried to reach the promised land. Decidedly tho noiscst man in thc House, is the sprightly DeLarge, who talks incessantly,'/! la /rane?is. Decidedly tho richest man in thc field, is tho honorable gentleman, o candidate before tho General Assem? bly, and "worth at least a half-mil? lion of dollars." DEMOCRATIC BABBECUE.-A barbe cue was given on yesterday, undei tho auspices of tho Colored Demo eratic Clnb of Columbia. Tho pro cession was formed near Carolin) Hall, and with banners unfurled, tin party marched to Latta's Grove, tin placo of meeting. Ono of the ban ners, was a U. S. flag, with "Demo eratic Headquarters" inscribed there upon. The other banner, which at tracted a great deal of attention was a white one; with these in Scriptions, painted in prominen characters : "Union, Harmony Peace." "We rally under tho banne of the National Democratic Party ; "We claim our rights ;" "We ei peet no wrongs ;" "We look to th ultimate interest of our party; "We trust tho men of the South." ' 'SOUTH CABOLTKA. ' ' "lie ia a gem in tho diadem bright, That widens the cirolo of poaco ; Who HtUloth tho waters of angry etrif And giveth good will a long lease. . "The Union." We found a large orowd of colore Democrats upon thc grounds, besidi a number of tho gentlemen of tl city and District, who had come I give their countenance to thoso o lored men, who had tho boldness ar firmness to proclaim their Demi eratic principles, even in the midst i the surging billows of radicalism, au in the presence of its legislative ar gubernatorial representatives. At tho appointed hour, the speal ing began, with an address from Cc J. P. Thomas, who had boen reques od to speak, and to introduce tl speakers. Colonel Thomas state that ho felt sure no gentlein? present failed to appreciate tho co rage, loyalty and fidelity which the colored Democrats had evinced : boldly unfurling their flag in tl centre of Columbia, in tho light day, aud in taking up their '~\ar< through the streets of the capital the State. At this time, when tl waves of radicalism in this Sh; wero rolling wildly on, it was credit bio to them that they dared shev tho community that thoy adhered their principles. These principles a qualified suffrage and moderate ai reasonable claims, he believed, we the principles conducive to tho fan interests of their race. Ho admits that tho road of radicalism was broi and inviting, and lined with ire bearing fruit pleasant to the eye ai taste, whilst tempting waters gush out with the promise of refreshment. Ho admitted that the road of Demo? cracy iras tq them narrow and. unin? viting, and had no such inducements ta the wayfarer. But lot them re? member, said Col T., that whilst tho former road led them to their ulti? mate ruin as a people; tho latter would conduct them to all tho pros? perity and happiness which God has B vouchsafed to their race. Referring to theword8 on their banner, "Union, Harmony, Peace," Colonel Thomas suggested that those three words con? tained a powerful argument io them? selves. By "Union" ho understood tho union of the black man's labor with the -wealth aud brains of the white man-this producing "Harmo? ny, "and harmony bringing ' 'Peace" and all these bringing good will and prosperity to the country.' But, said Colonel Thomas, he invested peace with more significance than that. It meant the folly of antagonism of blaoks rs. whites, when the former were so weak, and the latter so strong. It is useless, said Col. T., to disguise the fact that ino blacks are 4,000,000 to 8,000,000 in tho South, and 4,000,000 to 30,000,000 in the country, and that it follows that he is no friend to the colored race who would bring about a hostile antago? nism. As for himself, he desired no such issue, and hence he suggested the policy to the colored race of acknow? ledging tho grand traits of '?bat' race with whom Providence had cast the . black man's lot. The whito race must lead, and control, and hold the reins; but, at the same time, he*ad? vocated tho concession to the colored man of those reasonable rights and that fair showing to which reason and enlightened justice entitled him. But as respects the issue of the day, ho would repeat to them: Embrace Democracy, and they would live; but adhere to radicalism, and they would find in it a viper to sting them to the heart. Col. Thomas ' then introduced the Rov. Ellison Capers, well-known as a gallant geueral in the war, but now holding the higher commission of a soldier of the cross. Gen. Capers then addressed the crowd in admir? able spirit and style, and his enlight? ened, patriotic and Christian views mado a marked impression upon all classes of his hearers. He exhorted them to fidelity to their flag, to the sentiment of their banner-union, peace, harmony-and urged them, whilst putting their trust "in the men of the South," to remain loyal to those principles under which" they had assembled that day;, fori before Heaven, he regarded tho true inter? ests of their race as thereby sub? served. Capt. W. K. Bachman was next in? troduced as tho exponent, inpart, of the Germanic elemont, and delivered an interesting, able and humorous speech, which was well received. Next in their order came Pleasant Goode, James Minor and William 'Stowers, each of whom spoke with great animation, and impressed upon their fellow-Democrats many sensible and considerate viewe.^ This ended tho speaking. Next came the din? ner, composed qf bread, vegetables and barbecued meats of several kinds. The affair was quite an interesting one. Order and decorum prevailed, and no incident occurred to maV tho proprieties of tho occasion. NEW A?VEBTjsE^r?NTS^^-?pecial at tcntion is called to the follojving ad? vertisements, published for the first time this morning: Mrs. M. C. Walter-Fluting, V.o. Regular Convocation Col. Chapter. MAB^BJEfy" ^ On tlio 2d of July? ak> ike residence of tho brido'? mother, by the Rov. F. J. Shn^^, 1er, Mr. F. J. BROWN, Af Columbia. 8. (WT to Misa M. C. MURPHY, of Charleston, 8.0. ., TO THE LADIES. . STAMPING for EMBROIDERY, BRAID? ING and FLUTING, aU on the moat reutjon&blo termi, by MRS. M. 0. WALTER, July 8 Imo Next to the Contra! Hotel. Columbia Chapter No. 5, E.*. A.*. M.*. A A. REGULAR CONVOCATION v/V' of thia Chapter will beheld THIS ^ (Wednesday) EVENING, at 8 r. M,at Masonic Hall- A general attend? ance of Companions^* remieatodJ aa busi nesa of importando will bo brought up' for acion, . /" , i By ordor of tho High Priest. ' W. DUTSON WIGQ, July 8 . _ Seorotar>._ ' FRUIT 1 F#UITl! -i?\ BOXE8 ORANGES, ll / 10boxos Lemons, Pooan Nota, Filberts, Almonds, &c, Ac, juat received and for Bale by July 2 GEORGE SYMMER8.