The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, August 01, 1868, Image 2
THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
For President,
HORATIO SEYMOUR, OF N. Y.
For vice-President,
GEN. F. P. BLAIR, OF MISSOURI.
COIATMBIA.
Saturday Morning, August 1, 1868.
State Dcmorr?\t ic Convention. 1
A Convention of the Democratic
party of tho State of South Carolina
is hornby called, to meet at, Colum?
bia, on the night of Thursday, tho
6th of August, for the purpose of
nominating electors for President
and Vice -President of the United
States, and for other purposes..
The Convention will bo composed
of representatives from each Distzict,
according to the rule of representa?
tion in the House of Representa?
tives. WADE HAMPTON,
Chairman Central Committee.
Faliurc ot Monstrous Measures.
In accordance with the concurrent
resolution adopted last week, Con?
gress took a recess on Monday, till
the 21st of September, having been
in session S?DCO tho first Monday in
December, between seven and eight
months, without finding time, how?
ever, as the Baltimore Sun asserts, to
act upon any of the measures vital to
the practical interests ol tho countrj,
except tho limited tax bill, which
throws a considerable appointing
power into the hands of a party
official. If it has loft undone a great
deal that was demanded hy tho wel?
fare of tho country, it is some con?
solation that it has not finally matur?
ed some important measures for
mischief, which had beou presented
and passed in one or tho other of the
two houses, and which threatened to
disturb still further the political con?
dition of the South, nud oveu menaced
the peaco of the country. The bill
which provided for tho distribution
of arms among the "loyal" in the
South, which had passed the Senate,
Having been, at a late period, re?
ferred to the Military Committee in
the House, was not again heard from.
Tho bill for the re-organization of
the States of Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas, which had passed the
House, died out in the Senate, and
some other bills or resolutions tend?
ing in tho same direction met a simi?
lar falo in one or the other of tho two
houses, so that no new bill has been
passed affecting those States, except
the electoral college bill, whioh pre?
vents them from voling in tho next
Presidential election. Tho country
has reason to be thankful that it has
been reprieved for a season at least
from those pestilent propositions
which boded so much danger to the
pnblio peace and stability.
The atrocious arms bill would, in
all probability, if adopted, have led
to a war of races iu the South-its
real object beiDg to maintain party
ascendancy, whether or no. The
venerable Representative from North
Carolina, Mr. Boyden, a gentleman
of recognized position and character
in that State, where he has long com?
manded the respect and confidence
of the people, (in contradistinction
to tho new members, generally, from
the South,) said what was as true of
any Southern State ns of North Ca?
rolina when he declared: "I warn the
House that if arms are sent there we
will be ruined; we cunnot livo there.
There never was a moro mischievous
measure thnu this proposition to arm
ono class of our people against
another." Yet, this waa just what
Congress proposed to do, the House
having passed Payne's bill, and tho
Senate Wilson's section to that effect
In tho bill reducing the army; but
neither of these measures passing the
other budy, Ibo iniquitous schemo
failed to bo consummated. Not
hoing content to give up the object
entirely, Sonator Wilson reported a
bill, on Sunday night, repealing tho
Act forbidding militia organizations
in tho Southern States, which was
passed, and which was probably in?
tended to suppl?ment tho arms dis?
tribution bill, by enabling the Go?
vernors of tho reconstructed States
to organize tho so-called loyal militia
of those States, as in Tennessee; and,
by military for .e, keep down the rest
of the population. It is, perhaps, in
I keeping with the requirements of
Christianity and tbo lessons of pence
which the Gospel t. nos, that Sena?
te^ Wilson should we seieoted Sun?
day night to inan .rate a measure
I -wheroby, if it had becomo a law, the
| horrible scenes of strife and convul?
sion which followed the restoration
of Tennessee into the Union might
possibly be repeated and multiplied
throughout the whHe extent of the
Sonth.
These ore the blessings of quiet,
security and concord winch were to
follow the reconstruction measures,
and afford a happy illustration of the
sincerity of the sentiment of their
standard-bearer - " Let us have
peace." But thia nice piece of Sun?
day work from Massachusetts also
failed, not having been arrived at in
the House at tho timo of the recess.
The last and the worst of the abomi?
nations invented for tho torture and
ruin of tho South, nud which we
havo above referred to as dying out
yesterday in the Senate, was the
bill for the government of the three
States of Virginia, Mississippi and
Texas. It provided that, in the
thrco States named, the reconstruc?
tion State Conventions should be
invested with .power to remove all
officers, from Governor down; to
apxjoint others; to revise the regis?
tration lists; to appoint registers and
judges of election; to count the vote;
to appoint a constabulary force, ?fcc.
Also, that thc ordinances they may
pass should bo enforced by the pro?
visional governments of such States
until disapproved by Congress, or
until they adopt State Constitutions
which shall bo approved by Con?
gress; that thc military commanders
shall aid the Conventions in enforc?
ing tho laws; and that any person
who shall vote in those States for
electors of President or Vice-presi?
dent, in 1S68, shall be subject, upon
conviction, to a line of 81,000, and
one year's imprisonment.
It would be difficult to imagine a
measure of more atrocious injustice,
or ono the suggestiou of which could
be moro indicative of apprehension
of thu results of permitting thc
pesple of the States named to have a
voice in tho coming Presidential
election. All the action of Congress
in reference to tho South seems to be
prompted by a consideration of party
interests. Its whole statesmanship
in regard to reconstruction, exhibit?
consistency only in tho pursuit ol
power, and the most shameless dis?
regard of its own avowed principles
and promises, whenever it suits its
purpose to discard them. Thus, aftei
offering Alabama thu setnblaucc of e
vote upon her Constitution, when
she rejects it, it is forced upon bor;
after offering Mississippi a vote, and
being defeated, it is proposed tc
place in power the men who have
received tho votes of tho minority
having good reason to fear that Vir
ginin will go the same way, it is pro
posed to vitalize her defunct "Itecou
strnction" Convention, and make ii
the supreme law-giver of the State
Happily nono of these projects hnvi
as yet boen successful, and tho coun?
try lins a breathing spell, in which, i
is to be hoped, public sentiment ma]
suggest counsels of reason and mode
ration.
I? the lt I *ili t of Suffrage RcHtrictei
i>y the Constitution of South Curo
lina Int? 1 j- udopteil !
Mn. EDITOR: I desire to say a wort
about the legality of the late election
for County officers in this State. Th
Convention recently held in Soutl
Carolina, passed nn ordinance to pro
vide for tho ratification of tho Con
.?.tit ul iou, and for tho election of cer
tain officers. Under section 7 of thu
ordinance, it is provided that a Boan
of Commissioners appointed by th
?tb section of tho same ordinance
should prescribe regulations as t
tho time and places for an election t
bo hold in each County, within thirt,
days after tho ratification of tho Cou
8titution, for all County officers rc
quired by tho Constitution, to b
elected by tho people. Tho sara
section of tho same ordinance, prc
vides that at such elections, ever
qualified elector under tho provision
of this Constitution, may voto for a
officers to be elected. The Const itu
tion was ratified about tho middle, c
April. About tho 28th of tho sara
month, General Canby, and not th
Commissioners appointed by th
Convention for tho purpose, ordere
an election for County officers to tak
place the 2d and 3d of Juno. Th
election was held, and Gen. Canb
announces tho result in General Ol
-!-[-_-__
dere No. 122, dated July 1, 1868. He
declares that the persons named in
said order, received a majority of the
T?ten u?st ujr lue qualified voters of
their respective Counties. This may
be correct; but were all the qualified
voters, under the State Constitution,
permitted to cast their votes? We
think not.
Let us look into the Constitution.
In Article VIII, Section II, the dis?
qualifying proviso reads as follows:
"Provided that no person shall be
allowed to vote or hold office, who is
now OF hereafter may be disqualified
therefor by tho Constitution of the
United States." Now, the Constitu?
tion of tho United States did not dis?
qualify any one for holding office, on
account of having engaged in the re?
bellion, until a very recent date. The
Convention that framed tho State
Constitutions, evidently had in view
tho amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, known as Arti?
cle XIV, which they expected soon
to become a part of that Constitu?
tion, and which has just been an?
nounced by the Secretary of State,
as a part of the United States
Constitution. The 3d section of Arti?
cle XIV, in in these words:
"No person shall bo a Senator or
Representativo in Congress, or elec?
tor of President and vice-President,
or hold any office, civil or military,
under tho United States, or under
any State, who having previously
taken an oath as a member of Con?
gress, or as au officer of tho United
States, or as a member of any Statn
Legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to sup?
port the Constitution of tho United
States, shall havo engaged in insur?
rection or rebellion against the same,
or giveu aid or comfort to the cue
mies thereof."
It will bo observed that this section
does not abridge thu right of suf?
frage. It only disqualifies certain
persons from holding office. 1? thii
amendment had been adopted by thc
States when first proposed, no one
would havo dreamed that it prohibit
ed any person from voting, who wai
qualified to exercise tho right of sui
frage, under tho Constitution, as i
was before this amendment became t
part of it. Now, if we bear in minc
that tho State Constitution, Sectioi
II, Articlo VIII, provides "that n<
person shall be allowed to voto o
hold office, who is now or hereafte:
may be disqualified therefor by tin
Constitution of tho United States.'
Are wo not forced to tho conclusion
that the right of sullriige is no
abridged by tho terms of the Con
stitution of the Stute, on account o
any participation in tho rebellion
Does it necessarily follow, that be
causo a person is disqualified fron
holdiug office by Articlo XIV, tba
he is also disqualified from voting
By no means. This is a caso fo
strict construction. The citizen i
entitled to all the privileges that ar
not taken away in absolute ternu
and hence we arguo that no person i
excluded from tho privilege of sui
frage in South Carolina, on accour
of having engaged in tho rebellior
Tho 7th Bection of tho ordinance t
the Convention, before quoted, prc
vides that every qualified electoi
under the provisions of this Coustitu
tiou, may vote for all officers to I
elected at such elections, (/. e.,) fe
County officers. Was every qualifie
voter permitted to voto at the elei
tiou for County officers, ordered b
Gen. Canby? Unquestionably no
Then does it not follow that tho lal
elections for County officers aro illi
gal, and per consequence, null an
void. The offices were created L
the Constitution,'and the same pow?
(invested with authority by tho r
construction laws) that created tli
Constitution, prescribes the mamu
in which theso officers should 1
elected-and declared who shou!
vote. It was in pursuanco of th
ordinance that Gen. Cunby orden
tho election for State officers, met
bers of Congress and members ol' tl
Legislature. Without this ordiuanc
we think il very doubtful, wheth
ho would havo ordered any electioi
for County officials. This shoul
havo beou done by tho Legislatur
if tho ordinance aforesaid was n
recognized as a gaide. It is certai
ly an anomaly in tho history of Co
stitutions, for elections for officei
provided by a Constitution, to ta
placo before tho Constitution its?
became the fundamental law. T
Commandiug General excluded frc
voting for these County officers,
largo number of tho best and mc
intelligent citizens of tho State,
direct contravention of tho terms
tho very ordinance, iu pursuanco
which ho ordered tho election to
held. We hold that tho right of si
frago is not restricted or abridged
tho Constitution of the State; a
that as these persons were wron
fully excluded from tho privile
guaranteed to them by tho Constii
tion, and by the ordinance pnssed
tho Conventiou to havo it ratifi
and carried into effect, that the FI
elections aro illegal, and therofc
void. NINETY-SIX.
-< >
Ex-Governor William Aiken,
South Carolina, was on Mond
nominated as Colloctor of Cus'or.
at Charleston. The nomination v
promptly laid upon tho table. T
operates us a.rejection unless call
up within thirty days thereaft
whioh, of course, is impossible,
view of the recess of Congress.
[ Washington Chronicle
George Washington Miller'? Ijcttcr?.
[NUMB?B THREE. 1
Qccr*?H2??, July 29, 18SS. 1
HOKOBED Sm: Plenty o? people ia
trying to mn two schedules; the old
Greenville railroad is after the same
i thing; they started a Sunday sche?
dule, besides the regular weekly day
schedule, a Democratic and a radical
.schedule, and it maybe will work
right. The head man of the road
wrote an invite to the House and
Senate of this noble State, to go on
an excursion and inspection spree
last Suuday. The Legislature accept?
ed the courteousness with real plea?
sure, and about seventy of those
gontlemen went all tho way to Green?
ville. The colored preachers si dd,
" How about the commandment
about the Sabbath?" but then the
people must do what the preachers
tell them, and not follow what tho
preachers do. Mr. Charles Wilder
must have felt hurt; he is against
violating the holy day, and, beiug
alderman, put through a resolution
in the Council, to stop barbers milk?
ing money on Sunday. I ain't sur?
prised that tba members break the
Sabbath, but it is strango they do it
so publicly and under an authority
from tho Legislature. But what eau
you expect from peoplo who bavt
got to cursing one another in tin
House for d-d fools and that kine
of thing!
Maybe tho Legislatur will bel]
the road; if so, all right; if not, thei
the road is sucked in for the cost o
Sunday's excursion. One Mr. Mar
tin'wroto a letter to Governor Scott
informing him that arrangement
was made to Ku Klux the State gen
crail}*, and tho Governor in purlieu
lar, aud the Legislature and the cat
pet-bag and seallawag office-holder
especially. The letter made a stii
tho Geuernl Assembly bad a secrt
session on it, and put all about it i
thu newspaper. Now, sir, wini
think you turned up? Why, it turu
out. that the entire thing is a boas
and was gotten up as a campaig
document, to be used by the radio
party, for the benefit of Grant an
Colfax. A thousand copies of Ma
tin's letter (so-called) is to be printc
and sent to the faithful on North. !
I was not smart, I would have bec
fooled myself, but I found the thin
out, and have tho pleasure now i
telling the truth about it.
Last night, tho devil and To
Walker was loose in Columbia. Tl
Democrats bad a ratificatiou-that
< ?> say, thoy declared for Seymor
and Blair. They said they was sati
fled to run them men for Preside
and Vice-president, and they si
they are going to carry them in, ai
I believe they will. They rnn i
flags ali over town, and all Uni<
flags with stars and stripes on thei
Mr. Palmer, though, bas got up
splendid one, with a Palmetto ti
under the stars. The tree is an c
one, marked 1778, and he and 1
peoplo go for Seymour and Bia
and say they aro their "bean ideah
At 8 o'clock, the whole town w
moving; tho Democrats was out, a
the radicals either kept in or kc
their tongues in. The moon went :
too; there was no use for that sw<
luminary-the Democrats furnish
the light for last night, and the mo
took holiday. The torch-light p
cession beat all I ever heard of sn
things. The procession was bul
it reached all over town ; every fell
had something in his hand-eithei
torch-light or a transparent pa]
with writings on it, made like I
lanterns. I wish I could tell you
about it; but it would take a nc
paper as long as tho procession ; ai
if I was to write all about 1
speeches, I behanged if I would
want mileage paid on it. The ]
mocrats waa out in strength, liol
ing liko fellows who were playing
winnings. I was proud, when 11
the colored Democrats fall into J
in tho middle of tho procession, vs
their banners flying and their tore
burning. There was a liberty <
which made mo cry when I looket
it, with a Phoenix in it dressed
like a female goddess. All the \
mocratic members of the Legislat
was in carriages, except me.
reckon they would have took me
but I had not yet proclaimed my
a Democrat, though I am oue
over. Tho Democrats of Collin:
will stand by tho Democratic m
burs; they feel grateful to th
they cay their houses shall be alv
wide open to thom, and that t
extend to them tho right band of
lowship. They look on them
sentinels standing on the wa
towers. The band was in n '
playing liko the mischief; they c
from Charlotte, aud is Denioei
and played Dixio, and is tho
band I over heard play music.
I Those boys was out; they 1
from 1G down to babies in arms,
till hollering. I nover did se<
many boy?; I believe every De
erat in this city must have fron:
to bevon boys on an average,
counting girls. Thom boys is troi
some, too; tho fathers try to ]
them cool, but they don't like sc
wags and curpet-bag fellows,
they ain't afraid of nothing.
Tho old Pho.nix ofhco as
blaze of glory. Selby soys ii
can't do the public printing, (b
1 the lowest bidder by 020,000,)!
Trilling to print for the Democrats.
He pat thc hand-writing on his wall,
"Seymour and Blair"-"United we
stund, divided we foll." In the piazza
of the Phonix office, thirty-seven
of tho moat pretty young ladies ap?
peared, dressed in white, with the
emblems of the States of the Union,
and looking like angels. Tho youug
Democrats hollered: "The ladies
God bless them."
There was no cud to shooting can?
nons, rockets and Boman candles.
The procession went ovor town and
landed nt Carolina Hall. Tho ladies
was there again. Thespeaking went
on till near 1 o'clock. General Ches
uut and General McGowan, and
Generul Kershaw and General Hamp?
ton and Colonel Thomas, all "lead?
ing characteristics" of this party, had
something to say, but I will tell you
what I thought of their speeches next
time I write.
Your affectionate friend,
G. W. M.
Massachusetts Civilization.
"All the loyal people of tho South
cry aloud for tho civilization of Mas?
sachusetts."
The above quoted language occurs
in a communication from a carpet?
bagger in this State to a Boston
paper. Who he is, wo kuow not; nor
do wo care; but of ono thing wo arc
very certnin, and that is that he is
"sonic puukins," when it comes lc
nasal twang, Psalm-singing and eat?
ing codfish.
Now. what are some of tho fruits ol
this boasted civilization, for which all
tho "ioil" people of tho South arc
crying so loudly and so earnestly <
We have now before ns a number ol
the Watchman and Reflector, one o!
the par excellence religions journal.'
of old Puritanic Massachusetts, pub
lished on the 15th day of June, 18G5
In this disseminator of Massachu
I setts civilization, published right al
the "hub," there is a brief artich
beaded "Tho Home Mission Pro
blom," in which the writer says
"Tho necessity of a great and immc
diute enlargement of our Home Mis
sion work is tho burden of manj' ai
appeal from tho South and West.'
The last article in this Reflector, pre
ceding tho one from which we hav
just quoted, is headed "A Bostoi
Boy Culprit." Under this heading
the writer proceeds to detail the pal
ticulurs of a scene which he witnesse
in tho Boston Police Court on th
morning of tho '23d of Maj', 18CS
which resulted in tho sending of
boy, twelve years old, to Deer Islan
Prison, for two years penal service
for the crimo of stealing moncj
The writer, after depicting tho sa
sceue in tho court room, proceed;
"The door closed after tho judge an
we went out with him. 'Poor bo^
One-fifth of all the children of th
city aro under tho influence of tl
behool of destitution, debaucher
aud crime,' said ho, 'and he is one <
them.' Out of between 1,700 an
1,800 children sent annually to tl:
Tombs, here, no moro.than an ave
age of ono in thirty ever saw a Bibi
or learned what it told of." Gres
Heavens! can this bo so? Are then
iu the city of Boston, that gre;
centre c f civilization and piety, tin
only redeeming oasis of Christin
purity and holiness, iu the gre;
' moral desert of this Western wo rh
aro there, wo say, in that Heavei
favored city, 1,700 children, larj
enough to bo made tho objects <
oriniiual prosecution and retributioi
who never even so much as saw
Bible? It cannot bc. The assortie
must be a base libel upon the pioi
people of that Godly city. Such, i
least, must bo our exclamation, if v
judge of tho placo by the loni
mouthed Pharisaic cant of the iuh
bitauts of tho place.
But no, it cannot be a slander, f<
it was written, as appears, by a Bo
touian, and was most assuredly pul
lished iu the year of grace 18(i5,
one of tho numerous religious jon
nuls of that renowned ci ty.
One-fifth of all tho children "
that great city" aro under tho hill
enco of the school of destitntio
debauchery and crimo. So testifi
an unimpeached and unimpeachat
witness of tho city, who is in a po:
tion to know whereof ho affirms.
Freedmen of South Carolina, wh
think you of those traitors to thc
race and their God, but truly loj
servants of their master, the dev
who como, enrpet-bag in hand, in
tho Southern States, trying to whf
dlo you into thc belief that they R
your best friends, while they lea
behind them, nt their own doors,
ono city, all uncared for, 1,700 ch
dren, of their own race, who "nev
saw a Bible, or learned what it te
of ?" Were ono of your own col
to play so despicable a part by t
children of his own color iu Cohn
bia, and go to somo other State, ai
then try to persuado the white pcoj
of that State that ho had gone thc
to labor for their good, would y
not think ho deserved crucifixion,
sonic other ignominious death, 1
his base bctraj-al of the interests
his own race, and his hypocrite
pretensions of love for tho wh
nico? If you would thus thin
what must you think bf men, wi
white skins, but with hearts i
blacker than your dusky .kin.;, w
act so treacherous a part by bc
your mee and their own?
A SOUTHERN WHITE MAN.
m w
Local T.%&*-?3.**.
Wo hav<> been requested to state
that the ordinance requiring barber
shops to oiose on tbe Sabbath, at 10
o'clock, will be in force to-morrow.
DELICIOUS.-Mr. Clayton present?
ed us with a large and extra fine
water-melon, yesterday. It was not
quite up to the freezing point, but
very near it. Send around, about
dinner-time, to tho Central Hotel ice
house, and procure one.
An experienced California miner
publishes a communication in the
Pickens Courier, stating that be has
made discoveries of very rich ore in
and around Walhalla. South Caro?
lina may yet prove a California.
Who knows!
AGNEW'S STABLES.-Since his pur?
chase of the old Hitchcock Stables,
Mr. Agnew has been over-hauling
and renewing the stock of vehicles,
and making additions to the number
of animals-some of them coming
within the 2:40 linc. Ho can now
furnish, at short notice, and at a rea?
sonable cost, anything in thc vehicle
line, from a light buggy to an open
bret.
THE DILL PRISONEBS.-The per?
sons who have been arrested and for
some time been confined, by military
order, in the jail, under the plea ol
being concerned in the death of the
late S. G. W. Dill, have sued out a
habeas corpus, alleging that they are
unjustly accused without evidence,
and aro therefore illegally held in
custody. The caso will bo heard
to-day, before Judge Glover, al
Oraugcburg. At last they will have
a fair and impartial hearing.
I's FREE.-An unfortunate colo rei
woman, who was made free by thi
results of the war, connected hersel
with one of the numerous societie
in Columbia for mutuul assistant
and protection, organized by idlinj
and designing whites and blacks
She paid her dues regularly. A shoi
time ago, her young daughter fd
sick, and being destitute, she re
quested assistance from her society
it was not rendered. For want c
proper nourishment und care, th
child died. On her death-bed, sh
told her mother it was better thc
she should be out of the way, as :
would be one mouth less to feed. A
soon as the little sufferer was cold i
death, the mother renewed her appl
cation for assistance in bnrying i
After considerable delay, a coffin wt
furnished; but the next day, th
mother was waited upon by a colore
committee of the aforesaid mutta
aid society, and informed that st
must pay for the coffin, or the boa
would be disinterred. The exasp
rated mother told them to take hi
up; she hud no money. The poi
woman declares that it is almost in
possible to get along, that she bi
bad terrible times since "missii
died. She says she is free, but th
don't give her broad. The names i
all tho parties connected with th
affair can be given, if required.
MAIL ABBANOEM EXTS.-The pc
office open during tho week from 8
a. m. to 7 p. m. On Sundays, frc
4 to 5 p. m.
The Charleston and Western ma
aro open for delivery at43? p. m., ai
close at S}? p. m. Charleston nig
mail open 8!.. a. m., close 4?? p; m
Northern-Open for delivery
8'? a. m., closes at 2.45 p. m.
Greenville-Open for delivery 5
p. m., closes at 8J? p. m.
NEW ADVEBTISEMENTS.-Special
j tent ion is called to the following r
vertisements, published for the fi
time this morning:
D. C. Peixotto & Son-Auction.
Meeting Typographical Union.
Epping-lu the District Court, ?
Apply at this Office- -Wanted.
- < ? ?
THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.-T
Washington correspondent of t
Now York Times, under date of 27
ult., says: "General Howard to-c
issued orders reducing the-number
agents of the Freedmen's Bureau
tho South, particularly in South C
rolina and Arkansas. He will oe
tinuo to issuo similar orders un
when tho bill terminating tho ofli<
of the Bureau goos into force, it v
be virtually forestalled."
The Newberry Herald disposes
tho Newberry threatening letter
Governor Scott in these words: '
is hardly necessary to sny that tb?
is no such person as W. H. Mar
in Newberry, and that tho wh
affair is a hoax, and is so und erste
by Governor Scott."