Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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> COLUMBIA. Saturday Morning.' July ll, 1868. Seymour aad Blair-De?iocr?tie Standard Bearer?. Wo notice that the Biohland Demo? cratic Glob moots on Monday next to <?r?tify the nomination of Seymour a3d xfcSair. This is right. Let every District in South Carolina promptly and fearlessly unfurl the Democratic banner. We have now the platform and the men. Negro rule and negro supremacy-the great question that concerns us of the South-are properly donouuoed, and the leaders selected are able, bold and trne men ; I the one the wise, consistent states I man, whose record is Demooratio the other the frank, true-hearted sol? dier, whose utterrances aro manly. The trumpet sends forth no uncer? tain Bound. Tho issue is joined. |p The radical party is arraigned before the nation. It is un trial. Let us work in tho good cause. IN THIS SIGN, WE CAN AND WILL CONQUER. No sectionalism marred the two Conven? tions in New York. In the spirit of old all the States met, and Union and I Confederate generals forgot the me? mories of strife in the patriotic feel t ings of the hour. There is hope for the South and the country. The following lett?r, says a corres? pondent of the Charleston News, has been received by a colored member of the Legislature: SENATE CHAMBER, July 3. DEAR Sra: I have never given any opinion in regard to the senatorial question in your Stato, except to express a regret that the golden opportunity should be lost of making a colored citizen Senator from South Carolina. Such a Senator, if com? petent, would be a powerful support to tho cause of equal rights. His presence alone would be a constant testimony and argument. Nothing could do so muoh to settle the ques? tion of equal rights forever in the United States. The howl against tho negro which is sometimes heard in the Senate would cease. A color? ed Senator would be as good as a constitutional amendment, making all backward stops impossible. 3 write now frankly in reply to youi inquiry, and withont any purpose ol interfering in your election. You will pardon my anxiety for the cause I have so much at heart. I was much gratified with thc conversation of Mr. Cardoza, anc: was glad to know he had been choser to an. offioe there. I know of nc office that the State could confei which he would not discharge so n? to do honor to his race. Accept my best wishes, and believ? mo, dear sir, faithfully yours, [Signed] CHARLES SUMNER. Tu Thaddeus K. Sasportos, Esq. Columbia, S. C. Liooal XtemB. HALL STORM.-We learn that i severe hail storm, about three-quar ters of a mile in width, visited th Craigville neighborhood, about fiv miles North of Lancaster, on Sunda; last, doing considerable damage t corn aud some injury to cotton. A colored boarding house koepe was overhauled in the garden of Mi E. R. Stokes, yesterday morning whilo he was making an extensiv haul on the vegetables. Chief Rac cliffo has him in charge. AMELIA.-Wo have received froi Mr. William Price a basket of extr fine peaches, of the "Amelia" variety They are large, juicy and of excelloi flavor. Mr. P. has this, as well t other varieties for sale. Tho Charleston Gazelle has passe into tho hnnds of Mr. J. D. Budd who has for many years been coi uected with tho Charleston Mei'cur\ He is an enterprising and very popi lar man. The Gazelle is, wo believ tho J&j Catholic paper published i (# tho territories between Marylai: and Louisiana. MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-Tho po oilico open during thu week from 8, a. m. to 7 p. m. On Sundays, fro I to 5 p. m. Tho Charleston and Wcstorn mai are open for delivery at ?y? p. ni., ai close at S*.? p. m. Charleston nig! mail open ti}.? a. m., close ?)? p. ra Northern-Open for delivery 8}.i a. m., closes at 2.45 p. ra. Greenville-Open for delivery 5 p. ni.; fdn??>H nt p. m. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Special i ten lion is called to tho following a vertisements, published for tho fi] time this morning: D. B. DeSaussure-Richland, Sc D. C. Peixotto ? Son-Auctions R9S9S9BSSSS5SSSBS5SSSSSSSSSSSSS .nj. j JJ iiiBnUM"^"" '"--?-g .??Mg SEYMOUR AND BLAIR. A meeting of the Democratic Club of Richland District, is hereby called for Monday next, at 12 o'clock m.? in Gregg's Hall, to ratify tho nomina? tions of tho National D?mocratie Convention, and to hear from oar delegete" to said Conv?u?i??. J. P. THOMAS, For Dist. Cen. Ex. Committee. THE LEGISLATURE:, FIFTH DAV'S PROCEEDINGS. SENATE. Senate convened at 12 o'clock. The roll was called, and journal of the previous day read and confirmed. The joint resolution offered yester? day by J. J. Wright, petitioning Congress to remove the political dis? abilities of those people of the State j who are disqualified by the operation ! of the proposed constitutional amend? ment, was laid on tho table, by a vote of 16 ayes to ll nays. A resolution, inviting Hon. F. J. Moses to a seat on the floor, was adopted. The report of. tho Committee on Printing, recommending that J. W. Denny be elected temporary State Printer, was adopted. J. H. Rainey gave notice, that next week the Board of Commissioners would report upon tho assets and liabilities of the State. Notice was given of a bill for the completion of tho Stato House. The protest of J. P. Turner, con? testant for the seat from Spartanburg County, was read and referred to thc Committeo on Privileges and Elec? tions. Leslie offered a resolution to pro vide for tho appointment of a Com mitten of Five, to inquire into and report tho names of such persons whe have been elected to office, and art disqualified from accepting them bj the constitutional amendment, in or der that Congress may bo petitioner in proper cases, to remove theil political disabilities. Adopted, anc Rainey, Nash, Wright, Simms anc Montgomery appointed on tho Com mittee, Leslie having been excus?e at his own request from serving. J. J. Wright gave notice that oi Monday, bo would offer a bill t< punish persons who may improperly convert the funds of the State ti their own use. R. H. Cain gave notice that ol Wednesday next, he would introduc a bill to repeal the negro code. B. F. Whittemore was requested t take the Chair, and the Presiden pro tem. gave notice of bills "to re gu?ate appeals by writ of error to th Supreme Court," and "to organiz the Supreme Court." The Senate then adjourned unt: 12 o'clock, Monday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES After the call of tho roll, and th confirmation of the minutes, th committee appointed to ascertui whether a more suitable place coal not be found for the meeting of tl Houso of Representatives, reporte negativoly. Tho committee appointed to wa on the Governor, and inform hil that the Honse was ready to receh any communication ho might have i make, reported that they had di charged that duty, and that His E: cellency would communicate fcrtl with. A few minutes later, tho S?cr?tai of Gov. Scott entered and read tl message published elsewhere. W. J. McKinlay offered a resol tion, providing for tho organizatic of tho Standing Committees of tl House. Carried. A resolution was adopted, to pr vide for the appointment of a coi mittee, to ascertain whether tl house on Arsenal Hill could not 1 fitted up for tho residence of tl Governor. The committeo appointi are: Nagle, Lomax, Cly burne ni I Goodson. Tho report of tho Committee i Offices was then taken up ai amended, so ns to provide for t election of ajOlerk and Sorgeant-i Arms, and to authorize tho Speak to appoint such subordinate office as might bo nocessary for tho d charge of the business of the Hon The House then proceeded to vo and elected J. O. Jones, a color man, as Clerk, and J. P. F. Carry whito mau, Sergennt-at-Arius. T Democratic members voting for si positions persons. After nomo unimportant busine tho IIouso adjourned uutil 12 o'clc I m., Monday. -?-?-??-? WEATHER AND CROPS.-The drouj is becoming serious in York. 3 prospect is good for a largo crop corn and cotton, if speedy and pl j tcous rain falls. Thc earliest pla ing is moro or less injured by I drought already. Cotton is 1 advauccd in growth than nt tho sa period last year, but gives fair p miso of a ero]) if rains come, r caterpillars keep away. Tho- cn generally, have boon well work attributable somewhat to tho i that tho new system of labor is comiug better regulated. Hon. Charles H. Simonton, 1 Speaker of the House of Repref tatives, of this State, has b appointed a member of the Natic Democratic Executive Committee By Teleffropn. Cable Despatches. LONDON, July 10.-Tho House of Lords passed the Irish Reform Bill. - Hew? Item?. CHARLESTON, July 10.-Arrived steamer Sea Gull, Baltimore. WILMINGTON, N. C., July 10. There ie great rejoicing over the De? mocratic nomination. Flags are fly? ing, and a salute of thirty-seven guns has been fired, under the auspices of a Northern gentleman; the guns operated by colored men. Tho De? mocratic platform is universally ac? ceptable to the conservatives and I Democrats. j NEW ORLEANS, July 10.-Kellogg, Senator for the long term, is from Hlinois. Harris, elected for the short term, is last from Wisconsin. The Scinto, yesterday, passed the Houso resolution ratifying the fourteenth amendment. ERIE, PA., July 10.-The passen? gers wero robbed and baggage rifled of valuables at the recent accident. No Southerners among those killed or hurt. CINCINNATI, July 10.-Pendleton telegraphed to Seymour his con? gratulations and assurances of sup? port. WASHINGTON, July 10.-The Ilouse passed, without division, tho bill or? dering tho Virginia election on the 13th, 14th and 15th Jnly, and meet? ing of tho Legislature, at Richmond, on the first Tuesday in August. A treaty hus been concluded with tho Sioux Indians, thus endiug the troubles on the plains, and closing tho labors of tho Pence Commis? sioners. Congress will probably adjourn about tho 20th. Both houses have night sessions. In tho Senate, tho bill authoring the bridge over the Mississippi, at Rock Island, and limiting the cost lo 81,000,000, passed. In the House, nothing of impor? tance was done. FINANCIAL. AND COMMERCIAL.. NEW YORK, Jnno 10-Noon.-Gold 40%. Wheat l@2c. better. Corn unchanged. Lard firmer-steam 17 % @T7% Cotton quiet, at a2y?. Freights dull. 7 P. M.-Cotton heavy-sales 1,400 bales, at d'2}?. Flour dull-Southern common to fair extra 19.50. Wheat -new amber Southern 2.42@2.52. Corn less active, lc. lower. Oats lc. lower. Mess pork 28.25. Lard 18&. Gold 403?. CHARLESTON, July 10.-Cotton dull and nominal; no sales-middling 81).%; receipts 81. SAVANNAH, July 10.-Cotton quiet and weak-sales 58 bales; middling 81. NEW ORLEANS, July 10.-Cotton firm-middlings 32}.<; sales 20 bales; receipts 86; receipts of the week 344; sales 1,383. MOWLE, July 10.-Sales none middling nominally 30)?. LONDON, July 10-3 p. m.-Con? sols 94%@95. Bonds 73@73,l8'. LIVERPOOL, July ll-Noon.-Cot? ton-sales of tho week 71,000 bales; exports 10,000; speculation 9,0^0; stock 582,000; American 231,000 market quiet. Stock of cotton afloat 712,000; whereof American 25,000. Yarns and fabrics quiet. LIVERPOOL, July 10-Evening. Cotton quiet aud steady-sales 10,000 bales. REV. J. L. REYNOLDS, D. D.-On the first Tuesday of this month, this distinguished and accomplished scholar, so well known as one of the Professors in the South Carolina University, delivered a lecture of characteristic ability before the Greenville Literary Club. A fine collection of tho citizens of Green? ville were deeply interested and in? structed by his profound and elo? quent dissertation. The Professor left the morning after the locturo, to the regret of many, disappointing their expectation of a few days of social intercourse. The notico of tho lecture, prepared last week, was accidentally overlooked. Col. J. P. Thomas, of Columbia, who has latoly distinguished himself as a public leader, aud tho able editor of tho Phoenix, is expected to lecture on next Thursday evening. [Greenville Enterprise. About half past 12 o'clock, on Monday night, Peter Cagger, of Albany, tho well-known lawyer and politician, was almost instantly killed, by being thrown from a car? riage, whilo riding in tho Central Park, in company with John E. Develin, of Now York. Mr. Develin was also very seriously injured. The breaking of tho spoke of a wheel was tho immediate causo of the accident. A disgraceful riot occurred at a Fenian pic-nic, at tho Bellevue Gar? dens, foot of East Eightieth street, New York, on tho Fourth. Tho po? lice being called to quell it, wero at? tacked with muskets and swords by some soldiers of tho Fourth Fijian Regiment, but speedily overcame them, nnd quelled tho disturbauco. It is gratifying to noto that the prospects of a good crop on James' Island are promising. Prom a gen? tlemen who has recently arrived from the island, we learn that tho cotton looks very healthy, giving promise of a heavy yield. ,-r Auction sales Boot?, Shoes, ?ry and i\tncy Gooda. BY D. C. PE1X0TT0 & SON. On MONDAY MORNING next, 18th io?*., at 10 o'clock, immediatel7 after the above ?ale, we will sell, at onr Auction Room, Caaea Men'? BROGANS, Cases Mon's Malakoffa, Gases Mon's Congress Gaiters, ORRAN Men's Dress Boots, Cases Men's Balmorals, Gasea Women's Balmorals, Cases Women's Bootees, Cases Ladies' and Misses' Dress Bootees. ALSO, A fino assortment of Staplo and Fancy DRY GOODS, Hosiery, Longcloths, Shirt? ings, Sheetings, Ac, Ac Bale positive. Terms cash. Joly ll_ _ Hams, Bacon Sides, Strips, Molasses, Cof? fee, ?ic, ?c. BY D. C. PELX0TT0 & SON. On MONDAY MORNING noxt, 13th inst., at 9J o'clock, we will sell, at our Auction Room, without any reserve, 3,000 lbs. fine uubagged Western HAMS, 5,000 lbs. Sugar-cured Choice Stripe. IC bbla. Extra Now Orleans Syrup, 15 bags Prime Rio Coffee, 5 bbls. Extra White Wine Vinegar, 20 tubs Extra Lard, 40 boxes Colgate's Family Soap, 5 boxes Dry Salted Meats, 20 boxes Fino Pearl Starch, 20,000 various brands of Segara. 10 doz. Stew Fans, assorted sizos, 5 half-casks Monongahela Whiskey, And many other articles in tho Grocery line. Conditions-Cash on delivery. Sale positive._July ll Richland-In Equity. Tho Theological Seminary of the Evange? lical Lutheran Church of South Caroli? na and adjacent ?States vs. Mary A. Blanding. Executrix of Shnbcl Bland ing, deceased. Bill for relief. PURSUANT to tho decretal order in this case, the Creditors of the Estate of Bimbel Blanding, deceased, are hereby required to render and provo their de? mands before mo on or before the 1st of | October next. D. B. DKSAUSSURE, Julv 0, 1808. % C. E. R. D. July ll_j Richland-In Equity. David n. Wynne, James Campbell, el UZ., fi al., vs. Martha C. Wynn, Administra? trix, et al. Bill for partition of real estate. PURSUANT to the order in this case, tho Creditors of tho Estato of R. Wynn are hereby required to render and provo their demands bofore me, on or before tho 10th of August next. D. B. DKSAUSSURE, C. E. R. D. July9, 18G8. _ _July Ut Richland-In Equity. Simon Youngiuer and Drury Nuunamakcr, Administrators, vs. Jemima Smith, et al. Bill to marshall assets, sale, injunction, Ac. PURSUANT to tho decretal order in this case, tho Creditors of the Estate of Peter B. Smith, deceased, aro hereby required to render and provo their de? mands before me, on or before the 10th of August next. D. B. DESAUSSURE, July ?), 18C8. C. E. R. D. July ll t TO THE PEOPLE OP SOUTH CARO? LINA. On the 29th of Noveml ?r, 1865,1 entered upou tho discbargo of the duties of Chief Magistrate of South Carolina, pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution adopted by a Convention in September, 18(55. This Convention was callod by a proclamation of Provisional Gov. Porry, ho having been appointed to that position by President Johnson, the July proccding. Upon what principio tho President de? clared that the Constitution of force nt the close of tho war was invalid, and by virtuo of what anthority he could order the forma? tion of a new Constitution, bas not boen very well defined. Novertholess, as wo wore just omerging from a revolution, and as the Bcheino of restoration proposed by the President appeared to bo liberal and just, it was accepted by tho peoplo of South Ca? rolina, and by no ono of ber citizens more he?rtily than by myself. That plan, how? ever, failed, as indicated by tho voto of tho people in 18G6. A new ono was adopted by Congress, and tho question presented to the then existing Executivoa of tho South? ern Statos, was whether they would advise ita acceptance or rejection. I advised its acceptance My official functions having now terminated, I doom the prosont a pro? per occasion to briefly review what has bceu done in the State during my adminis? tration-to prosent some of the reasons which havo influonced my official action, and to express the opinions entertained bv mo as to the proper lino of policy in tho future. Until the meeting of tho General Assem? bly ?ti November, 18155, tho State bad beon for many months entirely under the juris? diction bf provost courts and military commissions. No civil court had met to administer law or justice in South Caroli? na for moro than twolvo months preced? ing. Outlaws abounded in many localities; depredations wore of daily occurrence, and desperadoes roamed over tho land, defying the military and outraging the per? sons and property of citizens. It was not until the succeeding spring that thc judges resumed their places upon tho hench, courts were held, criminals brought to trial and punishment, and civil law, to a certain extent, was restored. Citizons theu became more assured of protection, and tho prospects of material progress and improvement hourly brightened. The public institutions "wero revived. Thc ?outh Carolina College was converted into a University, re-organized and placed in successful operation. Tho Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb and tho Blind, waa re? opened and continued in operation until tho exhaustion of tho fund appropriated by the Legislature. A Penitentiary was ordored to be established, and rapid pro? gress has been mado in its construction. A largo number of convicts aro already incarcerated in tho prison, earning their subsistence and relieving tho Statu from tho exponso of maintaining them in idle noss in tho jails. Tho new State House has been enclosed and covered, thus pro? tecting a structure, which has cost an im? mens? sum of money, from further deteri? oration and decay. Court Houses have boon placed in proper ropair, or new ones erected, and tho jails destroyed by tiro have bec? robuilt. Tho Library of the Court of Appeals, together with tho Legis? lativo Library, which wore destroyed by tho conflagration of February, 18G5, aro again filling up with those volumes so essential to tho judge and legislator in tho performance of their duties-tho Execu? tives of the various States of tho Union having generously responded to tho re? quest that they would furnish duplicate copies of such books as could be conveni? ently spared from their respective collec? tions. The Executive Departments have been thoroughly ro-organizod and are in successful operation, and tho records and archives of the Ht at e, which were not de? stroyed by Aro or lost by tho casualties of war, have been re-arranged for tho publio convenience. Artificial legs have boen furnished to nearly all of the citizens of South Carolina who lost their limbs during the war. All th* .import*::t railroads of the State,which were torn np and destroyed towards the closo of the war, havo been re? paired, and the lines aro now in successful operation and prepared to facilitate tho commercial intercourse of the interior with tbs seaboard, tho North, and with foreign nations, Repeated remonstrances made against the illegal and opprossivo conduct of Treasury agents have secured tbs restitution of much property belong? ing to citizens, which had boen seized, ostensibly, for tho use of the Government, and tho obnoxious parties wero recalled or dismissed. During tho year' 18GG, and np to April, 1867, there was little or no inter? ference by tho military authorities with the civil administration of jestice in tho State. In conseqaence of tho failure of the provision crop of 18CC, appeals wore addressed to every section of tho North and Weat for corn and other previsions to supply thc destitute, who wero numbered by thousands. These appeals wore gene? rously responded to, and through this De? partment a large o'.au tit y of corn and bacon was distributed during the spring and snmmor of 18G7, thereby alleviating tho Bufferings of a multitude, many of whom would probably have starved but for those generoiis donations. A bureau of emigration has been organized and agonto sent abroad, with the viow of in? viting portions of tho teeming population I of tho Old World to seok homes on tho generous and inviting soil of South Caroli? na. Tho merchant has replenished his vacant storehouse, tho mechanic his ma? chino shop, tho planter and farmer, not? withstanding past disappointments, aro hopeful and industrious; and a vigorous effort is being made by all classes to repair tho disasters of a bloody and unsuccess? ful war. Taxes sufficient to defray the ordinary and extraordinary expenses of tho State government have been paid. No combi? nations havo existed to defeat, by violence, tho laws of the land; and no riot between tko white and colored races has marred thc peaco and good order which has prevailed in South Carolina sinon tho cessation ol hostilities. Indeed, a degreo of tranquili ty has marked our career which maj proudly challenge comparison, not onh with any of tho lato Confed?ralo States but with any State in tho Union. Within ono year after tho abolition ol slavery, tho Legislature of our State volun tardy passed a "Civil Rights Bill," whicl secured to the colored man all tho righti enjoyed by any citizen-allowing him t( sue and bo sued, and to give evidence in al cases. The traditional prejudice brough from thc mother country, which had beei nourished forages, against permitting an; party in interest to givo evidence in an; cause, civil or criminal, was broken down aud the law now invites testimony fron every source which is calculated to ovolvi tho whole truth, leaving it to jurors am trudges to determino what credence shal io given theroto. From time to time measures for tho relic of tho people, who wore suffering from th pressure of a largo ante-war indebtedness were recommended by me to the Legisla ture, but that body, in its wisdom, did no think it proper to adopt those suggestions A libcraf homestead law, tho abolition c imprisonment for debt, and the passage c an insolvent law which would wipe out a indebtedness on tho surrender, by th dobtor, of his property, havo been earnest ly urged by mo during mv administration but while railing in the General Assembl to compass these most desirable ends, am gratified to know that such measure havo been embodied in tho now Constitr. tion. lt would also have boon wiso to incorpe rato in that instrument a provision for th scaliug of debts contracted prior to au during tho war, down to the basis of th existing wealth and resources of thc com try. No ono will question that the wa destroyed moro than one-half of tho val? of property in the South, and ainco ii closs various causes have produced a di Ereciation of one-half of tho rcmainin alf, so that the wealth of tho State really reduced to one-fourth of its vain prior to tho war. Now, if an individu; chanced, at tho commencement of tl strugglo, to havo his estate invested i loans on bonds and mortgages, there co ta inly can bo no j am iee or propriety i permitting him to recover tho full auioui of his property, dollar for dollar, when tl very property upon which tho credit wi given has perished in tho hands of tl debtor, not by his own act, but by thc a of the Government and tho casualties < war, for which the lender and borrow^ aro equally rosponsiblo. There is no ju tico, equity or morality which would r quire that tho note or bondholder, prior tno war, should not suffer at least pro ra with tho debtor, whoso property was mini by tho calamities and disasters of tl same period. Tho present is also a fitting opportuni for a brief review of my courao since tl passage of the reconstruction Acts of Co gross, and of tho roasons inllucncing n conduct with roference to thom-tho sar not having been presented before. In January, 181)7, at tho instance of BOA ral of tho leading citizens of tho Stato visited Washington, and after a full cc foronco with leading Senators and Kepi sentativeH of tho Republican party, bccai satisfied, that under no circumstanc would they recognize tho President's pl of restoration; and that in thc plan whi Congress intended to adopt, tho allen; tivo presented was either qualified or u vernal suffrage to tho colored race. In vi of this fact, tho toxt of a constitutioi amendment was prepared by several les ing Southern statesmen then in Washii ton, approved hy many Republicans, a submitted to tho Legislature of Nor Carolina, in tho hope that that body woi accept tho samo, and request Congress adopt it in lieu of the fourteenth article, Howard amendment. It, however, fail in tho North Carolina Legislature. On i return to the city of Charleston, early February, in an address delivered to t colored people of tho city, I stated tba was in favor of admitting tho colored m to tho right of suffrage who was ablo read and write, or who possessed propel to tho valuo of $250. Early in March, t first reconstruction Act of Congross v passed, and on the 22d of tho Bamomon it was followed by a supplemental Act, g ing to tho colored race universal snffraj and dividing tho ten Southern States ii tivo military districts. These governmen which had boen brought into oxistonco tho plan of tho 1'rosidont, were declared be only provisional. Tho District Co manders were vested with such absoh power as mado tho civil authority bubs vient to, and dopondent upon, the mili ry. In April following, in an addros* rat before tho Charleston Board of Tra* among other things, I said: "Thc vi question now presented to tho people Sonth Carolina, as well as io lim people the Southern States, ia whether we shall accept the terms of these billa and endea? vor earnestly and in good faith to carry out their provisions, or fold our arma in silence, apathy, indifference and contempt, and determino to take no step." Again: "While the constitutional amendment was proposed to South Carolina as a State, and eur own volition in that capacity could be exorcised, I opposed its adoption; but the Act of Congress, reoently passed, baa as? sumed that this country is a conquered territory and we a conquered people, and consequently that that body has a right to dictate terms. The power undoubtedly exists In that body to dictate- those terms; it Is eeouro for the next two years; ana when they placo themselves squarely and broadly upon that platform, I for one do not proposo to go to the Supremo Court or anywhere oise, for the purpose of disputing that power: but in good faith I will accept the remis, humil'ating as they may be, and openly, fairly and honestly urgo their adoption before our people." Again, I re? marked: "I would, therefore, say to every man in South Carolina who has iwt been disfranchised, that as soon as tlie proper order has been issued, he should proceed to register his name, and go to the polls to vote for the best man mho canhe selected, lo form a Constitution under xchicli we and our pos tcrity can noe." Congress had taken tho position that thc right belonged to that body, rather thap to tho President, to ?x the conditions upon whloh the Southern States should be re? admitted to tho Union. Hence the perti? nacity with which tboy adhered to the Con? gressional plan, and hence the passage of the Act of July, imposing still moro strin? gent conditions than existed ia tho preced? ing law Heneo, also, tho long, angry and unfortunate controversy between tho Pre? sident and Congress-a quarrel in which we have boon tho sufferers. For three long years, re-admission into the Union and tho right of representation has been denied us, and Congrcte having tho power to en forco their views, and the President being impotont to executo his own plan, was it not wise for tho South to accept that which promised the speediest restoration to a representation m Congress? Although many of our citizens were disfranchised, a sufficient number still were entitled to go to tho ballot-box, and being eligible to of? ficial position, they could have controlled tho conventions by intelligence and virtue, aud moulded constitutions in all of the Southern Statea, under which both races might have lived in harmony. I was satis? fied that our material prosperity, the de? velopment of our resources and the resto? ration of confidenco and credit, could not bo secured until the political issues in? volved in tho question of reconstruction were settled, ana the representatives of the South on tho floor of Congress could make known her wan'.s and protest against her wrongs. Our capital had been swept away by hundreds of millions; a large number of our young men -the "flower of the popu? lation-had beon killed in the war; all in? dustrial employments were either crippled or broken up, and the wide-spread ruin could only bo repaired by inducing capi? talists from tho North and from Europe to locate iu our midst, and bring with them their artisans, merchants, mechanics, ship-buildi rc, and others whoso labor is wealth itself. Tho struggle which impo? verished us mado the North rich ; and since the formation of tho Qovernment, capital has never been so abundant or so ready to embark in safo investments. Yet for three long years both capital and emigrants have been deterred from seeking a resting place in the South. Partisans, using a partisan press for partisan purposes, have represented the South as being still in a condition of quasi rebellion. Life has been declared to be insecure and property un? certain. It was said that Northern men, who had the temerity to seek homes in the South, wore set upon by ruthless mobs and murdered. Every species of enormity was attributed to the Southern people to subserve political and partisan ends. The effect of such misrepresentations upon us has been most disastrous. A few tourists have como to tho State-a few adventurers looking to political promotion have rested hore; but a comparatively small number have brought their capital and located with tho bona fide purpose of identifying themselves with the Stato and aiding hor people to rebuild their broken fortunes. Thc appreciation in the valuo of the stocks and bonds of tho Stat? within a few months past, furnishes conclusive evi? dence of tho correctness of the opinion that Northern capital would not be trusted in tho South until roprcsontation in Con? gress was consummated. In January last, South Carolina Stato stocks and bonds wore selling at twonty-two and twenty-five cents on the dollar. Now, with restora? tion assured, they aro worth from sixty two to sixty-six cents on the dollar. In the spring and summer of 1867, money readily commanded from two and a half to three per cent, per month. In the same market, it is now readily borrowed at from three quarters to one por cent, per month. Objectionable as the reconstruction Acts, or tho new constitutions, or the privilege of universal auffrago to tho colored race, may have been, was it not tho part of wis? dom, looking at tho condition of affairs in tho material sense to which I have refer? red, and to thc fact that the domination of the bayonet could not bo superseded by the judgo and the jury-box, to have ac? cepted "tbeso obnoxious measures, con? trolled as far aa possible the conventions, secured tho best constitutions, gained re? admission into tho Federal councils, and trusted to tho futuro to correct such or rors, removo such bardens and rebuke such tyranny as made odious either the Acta of Congresa or tho constitutions or legislation of tho States? lleing myself firmly convinced of the prudenco of such a policy, I enunciated the sentiments before tho Hoard of Trade, already quoted; and, as far as possible, I have co-operato'd iu good faith with tho military authorities in carrying out tho laws ot Congresa and promoting peaco and order among the people. Whatever may be my individual opinion as to their constitutionality, it was my duty to recog? nize their validitv until pronounced uncon? stitutional by tho Supreme Court of tho United States. Whon thu election occurred for members o? tho State Convention, the white popula? tion of South Carolina, by their action at least, seemed to have adopted opinions ad? verad to those which I have expressed. Very fow repaired to tho polls to voto for delegates to that body. There appeared to be a strange delusion pervading the public mind, that tho Convention would not meet, or, if it did meet, that its action would bo nugatory. It is, perhaps, thc first instance in the history of a free, in? telligent people, whero tho ballot having been given to them, they have refused ita exerciso and abdicated tho power, the rights and privileges which their intelli? gence, exnerionco and wealth would have enabled thom to wield successfully. They ignored their opportunity and surrendered to strangers, and to tho colored peoplo almost exclusively, the selection of dele? gates to the Convention. If, therefore, the Constitution framed is obnoxious, very many of the intelligent white voters of the Stato mu*t feel that the fault ia their own. Their action, perhaps, bas been wiser than my advice. Time ? lone must decide.