duty must be fully, faithfully, and impartially performed." Military commissioners were also appointed for each county with the powers of justices of the peace, and sheriffs, constables, police officers, and troops, if necessary, were placed at their command for the enforcement of the regulations laid down in regard to the election under the reconstruction laws. Some of the complaints had reference to the conduct of colored citizens, and to these the commanding general considered it "proper to say that the elective franchise conferred upon them by law carries with it no authority to restrict others in the free exercise of that right; and that while it is their duty not to regard threats or intimidation as to themselves, any combinations, to prevent by force, intimidation, or threats, the same free exercise of this right by others will be unlawful, and will subject the offenders to the penalties prescribed by law and by military orders. They are counselled to exercise the right of voting in a quiet and orderly manner, giving offence to no one; and, after casting their votes, not to linger about the polling places, but to return quietly to their homes and to their customary avocations."

The election took place without serious disturbance, and resulted in the choice of the Republican candidates for the State offices. The

vote on the constitution was as follows:

Section two of article eight enfranchises every male negro over the age of twenty-one, whether a convict, felon, or a pauper, and disfranchises every white man who has held office in South Carolina. in all elections, to ignorance, stupidity, and vice. Intelligence, virtue, and patriotism are to give place, The superior race is to be made subservient to the inferior. Taxation and representation are no longer to be united. They who own no property are to levy taxes and make all appropriations. The propertyholders have to pay these taxes, without having any voice in levying them! The consequences will be, in effect, confiscation. The appropriations to support free schools for the education of negro children, for the support of old negroes in the poor-houses, and the vicious in jails and penitentiary, together with a standing army of negro soldiers, will be crushing and utterly ruinous to the State. Every man's property will have to be sold to pay his taxes.

We have thus suggested to your honorable body of this constitution. We waive all argument upon some of the prominent objections to your adoption the subject of its validity. It is a constitution de facto, and that is the ground upon which we approach your honorable body in the spirit of earnest remonstrance. That constitution was the work of Northern adventurers, Southern renegades, and ignorant negroes. Not one per cent. of the white population of the State approves it, and not two per cent. of the negroes who voted for its adoption understand what their act of voting implied. That constitution enfranchises every male negro over the age of twenty-one, and disfranchises many of the purest and best white men of the State. The negro being in a large numerical majority as compared with the whites, the effect is that the new constitution establishes in this State negro supremacy, with all its train of countless evils. A superior race-a portion, Senators and Representatives, of the same proud race to which it is your pride to belong-is put under the rule of an inferior race; the abject slaves of yesterday, the flushed freedmen of to-day. And think you that there can be any just, lasting reconstruction on this basis? The committee respectfully reply, in behalf of their white fellow-citizens, that this cannot be. We do not mean to threaten résistance by arms. But the white people of our State will never quietly submit to negro rule. We may have to pass under the yoke you have authorized, but by moral agencies, by political organization, by every peaceful means left us, we will keep up this contest until we have regained the heritage of political control handed down to us by an honored ancestry. This is a duty we owe to the land that is ours, to the graves that it contains, and to the race of which you and we are alike members-the proud Caucasian race, whose Sovereignty on earth God has ordained, and they themselves have illustrated on the most brilliant pages of the world's history.

After the passage of the act of Congress, of June 25th, popularly known as the "Omnibus Bill," the Governor-elect issued a proclamation for the assembling of the Legislature on the 6th of July. The new Governor was inaugurated on the 9th of July, and, in his inaugural address to the Assembly, declared his full confidence in the validity and wisdom of the Federal legislation which had been adopted in reconstructing the State. On taking leave of the office, which he had filled since November

1865, Governor Orr submitted a message to the Legislature, in accordance with an invitation which he had received, giving all the information in his possession respecting the condition and necessities of the State, and he also issued an address to the people of South Carolina, in which he reviewed the period of his own administration, and recommended a cheerful cooperation with the existing authorities, for the restoration of prosperity in the State. General Scott also transmitted a message to the Legislature, calling attention to the various measures required in the organization of the State Government, and recommending such acts as he deemed expedient, in carrying into effect the different provisions of the new constitution. One of his most earnest recommendations was, that a memorial be sent to Congress, praying for the removal of all political disabilities imposed upon citizens of the State. The "Fourteenth Amendment " was ratified by a vote of 108 to 10, and the reconstruction of the State was practically completed by the withdrawal by military order, on the 13th of July, of all the authorities created by the reconstruction acts, "except so far as necessary for the inauguration of the new State government, and to close up unfinished business." It was announced that the terms of office of all agents and appointees, instituted for the purpose of carrying into effect the authority of the military commander in the civil government of the State, would cease on the date of the proclamation of the President, announcing the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment; and that the tenure of all appointees to civil office under authority of the reconstruction laws should terminate when their successors, elected or appointed under the constitutional laws of the State, might be "duly qualified." Further orders were given for completion of business connected with the functions of district commander, and the final withdrawal of all such anomalous authority.

The executive government of the reconstructed State of South Carolina consists of the following officers: Governor, R. K. Scott; Lieutenant-Governor, Lemuel Boozer; Adjutaht and Inspector-General, Franklin J. Moses, Jr.; Secretary of State, Francis L. Cardoza; Comptroller-General, J. L. Neagle; Treasurer, Niles G. Parker; Attorney-General, D. H. Chamberlain; Superintendent of Education, Justus K. Jillson.

The Senate consists of 33 members, nine of whom are negroes. Seven of the 24 white Senators are Democrats. Only 48 of the 124 members of the other House are white men, and of these but 14 are Democrats. The entire Legislature consists of 72 white and 85 colored members.

One of the first duties of the newly-organized Legislature, and one in which great interest was taken, was the election of Senators to Congress. After considerable canvassing, the

choice of the majority fell on Thomas J. Robertson, for the short term, ending in 1871, and Frederick A. Sawyer for the long term, which ends in 1873. Judges of the Supreme Court were also chosen: F. J. Moses being selected for Chief Justice, and A. J. Willard and S. L. Hoge for Associates. A resolution with regard to a memorial to Congress for the removal of disabilities was introduced, and referred to a committee, but not acted upon at this session. A bill "to protect all persons in the State in their civil rights, and furnish the means of their vindication," was introduced in the House of Representatives, which declared the civil equality of all citizens, and prohibited any discrimination on account of race or color on the part of hotel-keepers, carriers of passengers, granters of licenses, etc. This bill passed the House after long debate, and in the Senate was adopted with some important modifications, but the amendments were not concurred in by the House, and the whole measure failed.

Many laws were passed during the session, the object of which was to effect a reorganization of the machinery of the State government. The various courts provided for in the constitution were organized, and laws enacted to regulate their proceedings. Several enactments were made relating to elections, but none of these were of peculiar interest. A bill to amend the charter of the city of Charleston, making provision for an immediate municipal election under regulations laid down in the act, was vetoed by the Governor, and an attempt to pass it over his veto was unsuccessful. Among other measures relating to the administration of affairs in the State, was a homestead law and a law establishing a State police. Two laws were authorized, one to provide for certain floating obligations of the State, known as "bills receivable," and the other to provide for the payment of interest on the State debt. The Legislature adjourned on the 25th of September.

The declared principles on which the Democratic party was organized, at the convention of April, did not give satisfaction to the entire body of Conservatives in the State. The point chiefly objected to was the concession made in favor of qualified negro suffrage. In reply to a letter of Judge Aldrich, condemning the action of the convention, a member of the Democratic Central Executive Committee gave the following as the "views and principles of the Democratic party of South Carolinia, as now organized under the auspices of the April convention:"

1. We maintain, "with President Johnson and the whole Democratic party North," that_the_whole reconstruction programme, enacted and to be enacted under the Military Bill of Congress, is unconstitutional, illegal, and properly null and void.

2. We therefore repudiate the admissions made by tutional Convention, wherein he acknowledged the Governor Orr, in his address to the so-called Constilegality of that body.

5. But, at the same time, confident and strong in the knowledge of the white man's power, influence, and resolve, we hold it magnanimous, just, and right, to give the colored man a fair showing, and to set a premium upon industry, intelligence, and worth, whenever these elements are found in him. We would extend no consideration to the black man's Radical advisers from the North, nor to his renegade adherents South; but, as respects the great mass of colored people themselves, in consideration of their own inexperience, and the influences to which they have been subjected, we are disposed to indulge them yet longer.

Another convention was held on the 9th of June for the purpose of sending delegates to the National Convention at New York, and a committee was appointed to confer with the Executive Committee of the former conven

tion. A harmonious meeting was held, which resulted in the proposition that the present convention appoint an Executive Committee of its own, and that the two be united at an early day. This was unanimously agreed to, and the only platform adopted was embraced in the following resolutions, which constituted a supplemental report of the commit

tee of conference:

Resolved, That the Democratic party of this State duly appreciates and accepts the invitation from the Executive Committee of the Democratic party of the United States, to send delegates to the general convention to be held in New York, on the 4th day of July next, to nominate candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency of the United States; but, inasmuch as the military despotism under which South Carolina labors will render it impossible for the white race to cast the vote of the State, at the next presidential election, it is recommended to the delegates appointed from this State to ask the counsel of their brethren from other States as to the propriety of their voting in the convention, and to govern themselves accordingly.

Resolved, That having entire confidence in the principles and patriotism of the Democratic party, and believing and trusting to their assurances that they will, if triumphant, restore and maintain at the South, as they have done in the North, in the East, and in the West, the supremacy and government of the white race-a white man's government-leaving to the States themselves to regulate their suffrage laws; and, also, that they will expunge the usurpations and the fraudulent governments created by the military power, under what are called the reconstruction laws, and thereby restore to the Union the Southern States, such as they were before the enact ment of said laws-we hereby pledge ourselves to the support of the candidates of that party for President and Vice-President of the United States, to be nominated at the coming convention in the city of New York, the 4th day of July next.

Still another Democratic Convention was held on the 6th and 7th of August, at Columbia, for the purpose of nominating presidential electors. Speeches were made by General Wade Hampton and other prominent Conservatives, and resolutions were adopted declaring:

1. We adopt the declaration of principles of the national Democratic party, and indorse the nominations of Seymour and Blair.

2. While entering a protest against the reconstruction acts, we rely confidently on constitutional agencies and peaceful instrumentalities to bring us the peace we seek and the reforms we need.

3. We invite all to unite with the Democracy in the effort to save free institutions and secure a genuine restoration to the Union, and put the republic on a career of honor, peace, and prosperity.. 4. That President Johnson, for resisting the aggression of Congress, is entitled to the gratitude of the people.

5. Our acknowledgments are due to the citizens, soldiers, and sailors of the North who, amid the storm of Radical passions, have raised their voice in behalf of an insulted and outraged section.

6. The State Central Committee is authorized to fill vacancies resulting from the death or resignation of presidential electors; also, to take such steps as may be necessary to insure a Democratic success.

An address was soon after issued by the Executive Committee of the party to the colored citizens of the State, in which they attempted to show that the Southern Democrats are the real friends of the colored men, and reproach the latter for numerous disorders which they were led into by political excitement.

The negroes made a reply to this address, in which they assume to prove, from the past record of the Democratic party, that it had not shown itself a friend to the colored man, and deny that they have any disposition to excite disorders, or indulge in violence. During the heat of the campaign some disturbances occurred, and, on the 31st of August, Governor Scott issued a proclamation, in which he stated that information had reached him of armed and disciplined organizations, formed for political purposes, in the interest, as he intimated, of the Democratic party. This was, however, denied by the Democratic Committee, who further declared that "in the future, as heretofore, this party proposes to be a party of peace, of law, and order, and confidently relies upon peaceful instrumentality, and the ballot, to accomplish political reform, which the interests of the State and country demand." The negroes were also accused of arming and drilling companies, and threatening danger to the whites, but no serious outbreak occurred. One result of these excitements, however, was the enactment of a law by the Legislature "for the suppression of insurrection and rebellion." This gave the Governor authority to call out the militia for this purpose, and to seize and control railroads and telegraphs, as a part of the military establishment.

Several assassinations occurred during the fall, prompted, as is supposed, by political motives, the most notable of which were those