Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. Sunday Morning, January 28,1866. Nepro Suffrage. Wo wish most heartily that we had no occasion to write on this abomina? ble subject. We hi.ve already ex? pressed our views on this question, but it is evidently the last plank on which the radicals can stand. It is proper, therefore, we give it some consideration. The New York Times, ns the Bichmond Dispatch justly ob? serves, "is evidently fearful that the radicals are going towards the pit of destruction." The Times, of tbc 22d, liasen article upon the subject of negro suffrage in the District of Columbia, and in the States, which is evidently put forth in the interests of the conservative por? tion of that party. It declares that the Bepublicans have never, in any National Convention, passed upon the question with authority; and beyond that, that negro suffrage is no part of tho Bepublican creed, and is alto? gether a dangerous matter to deal with. We aver that the recent bills introduced into Congress proves clear? ly tho opposite, and that the "irre? pressible conflict" is to be carried on under this motto-"Negro Suffrage." The Times (the organ of Secretary Seward) says: "While it is a matter of compara? tively little consequence to most of the Northern and Eastern States, it touches most closely the sentiments and prejudices of the West, and is absolutely a matter of life and death to Unionism and loyality among the masses of thc people in the Southern States." As the 'Dispatch says, how like a lion this dreaded alliance "stands in the pathway leading to that power which the radicals are anxious to perpetuate in their own hands. " The Titties sees that the people of its own section will not sustain the doctrines of the radicals, and while it has not the manliness to come out openly and boldly against the destructive mea? sures of its party, it has the sagacity to perceive that tho adoption of the measures proposed, will result in the destruction of its party. Mr. Raymond, the editor of the Times, voted for the negro suffrage bill in the District of Columbia, yet the Times itself has the following comments on the prospect of the bill: "It is generally assumed that it will receive the President's signaturo, and thus become a law; but we regard this as by no means certain. It is said to have been asserted by Judge Kelley, on tho floor of the House, while the bill was upon its passage, that he knew the President would sign it, and this statement probably had some effect in swelling the vote in its favor. Whether tTudge Kelley pretended to speak fr >m positive per? sonal knowledge of the President's intention, or only by way of inference from his position and presumed opinions, we aro not aware. "It is well enough to bear in mind that President Johnson has never committed himself in any way to the principle of universal negro suffrage, cither for the District of Columbia or for any State; and that is the principle which, if this bill passes the Senate, is to be presented for his approval. He has never gone farther than to say that, if acting within his own State alone, he might favor the admission of qualified colored voters to the exercise of the right of suffrage; and even this was given merely as a personal opinion, and in no sense as an indication of official action. It is known, also, that he regards the peoplo of the District of Columbia as haying in no wise lost their rights as citizens, or their claim to respect and regard for their wishes concerning their own affairs, by their subjection to thc exclusive jurisdiction of Con? gress; and it would be unwise to assume that he will feel at liberty wholly to disregard the vote lately taken in the District on the subject of negro suffrage. "It is possible, therefore, to say the least, in our judgment, that Pre? sident Johnson may withhold his signature from this bill. We distrust the expressions of confidence of his approval in which these gentlemen somewlmt ostentatiously indulge. /Hiey may have ground for these ex? pressions in their knowledge of his purpose-or they may hope to :nfm encc his action by them-or they mo morely sock to force the party into this position, regardless of the co? operation of the Executive and reck? less of thc fate of the party itself. In these days of difliculty und danger when the peace now dawning may be dispersed by tempests still more terrible than that whose frightful fury still sounds in our ears_we cannot look upon indifference to the fate of the Union party as consistent with love for the Union or devotion to the welfare of our common coun? try. This is not thc time when new issues can be forced upon the nation, without imminent danger of re-open ing those the nation has just de- J cided." We may have doubts as to Presi? dent Johnson vetoing the bill in relation to the right of negro suffrage in the District of Columbia, as Con? gress is really its municipality; but as such a bill in its effects may have some influence in the States where slaves have been recently emancipat? ed-an influence entirely opposed to his avowed opinions, ho may demur and give his reasons therefor. How a great nation can stand this ever? lasting discussion on an abstraction which can never have any practical results, we cannot understand. The whole thing is a humbug, unworthy of the Congress of a great people, and must, if we have any confidence left in the good sense of the American people, result in the utter extermina? tion of the radical party. The President and Mr. Davis. Ex-President Burnett, of Texas, gives us some hopeful intelligence. He was selected by the ladies of New Orleans to present two memorials, in behalf of Jefferson Davis, and has furnished the New Orleans papers with a statement of his visit to the President on presenting the memori? als. Mr. Burnet is very cautious, and rather reticent, but this fact adds to the reliability of his statement. He says: "I distrust my memory too much to venture on a detail of conversa? tion with the President. Entire ac? curacy could not be expected and a slight deviation would be objection? able. These conversations were brief. "In regard to the future of Mr. Davis, the President, of course, coi?d give no definite opinion. That Mr. Davis will be tried by a civil court, appears to have been a fore? gone conclusion ; that he will eventu? ally be pardoned-if, indeea, a con? viction shall bo had-and a general amnesty proclaimed, to the grievous disappointment of tho Jacobinical cliques, seems the most probable finale to the most calamitous war that ever threw a pall of gloom over a great people." This is cheering intelligence, and if the President-to whom has been confided the exercise of tho pardon? ing power-would proclaim a general amnesty, and thus seal the recon? struction policy he has so wisely inau? gurated, he would rank in the annals of patriotism only second to George Washington. GARRETT DAVIS vs. DB. BAGBY. Dr. Bagby, in his famous lecture, attributes the downfall of the South? ern Confederacy to the want of "bacon and greens." Mr. Davis, United States Senator from Ken? tucky, has a different opinion, as witness the following: "Mr. Davis (Democrat) concurred in tho opinion of Mr. Sumner. He had no sympathy for Jefferson Davis, whose case the bill was intended to cover. Ho did not think, however, that any lover of the Union ought to have unkind feelings for tho distin? guished criminal, because to his con? duct more than to anything else we Avero indebted for the failure of the Confederacy. " This was said while discussing the bill for fixing up a jury to try Jeffer? son Davis, which bill, wonderful to relate, Mr. Summer opposes. "SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT." Under this head, the New York Tri? bune publishes the following from its Washington correspondent, which may be intended as a warning to those who desire to keep in the good graces of the powers that be: A Republican editor, applying at one of the most important depart? ments last week for the official adver? tising, was asked if his paper would adopt the President's policy. The intimation was made that on no other terms could official patronage bo given out. An "affair of honor" came off Sa? turday, at Hutchinson's Island, near Savannah, between two colored knights of the cleaver. One negro butcher insulted another, when a challenge followed. The principals, with seconds, repaired to Hutchin? son's Island, when they blazed away at each other, and succeeded in wounding one of the seconds, but escaped without any bodily injury to themselves. This occurrence satisfied the wounded honor of the colored gemman, and the whole party made friends. After drinking two bottles of whiskey and playing several games of seven-up, they returned to the city, and were arrested at the market Saturday evening, by a file of soldiers, and confined at the barracks. RICE.-Formerly, we sent 50,000 tons of rice to Europe; but, since the war, Europe sends heavily to us. The crop was eveiy where lighter than usual last year. North Carolina, whose annual product used to exceed 200,000 casks, raised but 7,000. Tilt South In t ongio*?. The Hon. C. C. Imagdon, formerly editor of the journal to winch he writes, now a member of Congress from the Mobile District, has ad? dressed to the Mobile Register and Advertiser a letter, dated at W as king in gton, on the 4th inst., in which, after reviewing very forcibly the action of Congress upon tho admis? sion of the Southern Representatives, he states that he has come to the con? clusion that the Southern States will be deprived of representation during the whole existence of the present Congress. The motives which, in his opinion, control the action of the radicals are so clearly and well stated in Ids letter, that we quote that portion of it : "The motive of all this is perfectly transparent. The radicals are anxious to pass certain measures, and among them amendments to thc Constitu? tion, (as I have stated in former letters,) for the double purpose of consolidating their own power, and also as further punishment of the 'wicked rebels.' Wero they to admit the Southern members, all their well laid schemes would be cer? tainly defeated-especially all those which require a two-thirds vote while, if the Southern members are kept out, the radical majority, in each House, is sufficient to enable them to carry all their measures, bidding defiance even to tue Execu? tive veto; for instance: parties in the Senate now stand thirty-eight Repub? licans," eleven opposition and one vacancy (from Iowa. ) We will give the vacancy to the Republicans, making their number thirty-nine. Admit the twenty-two Senators from the Southern States, and parties will then stand thirty-nine Republicans and thirty-three opposition. No two thirds vote for them here. And be? sides, there are three Senators classed as Republicans, who will voto with the opposition on all extreme mea? sures of the radicals. These are Messrs. Cowan, Doolittle and Dixon, and this will make it a tie in the Senate-thirty-six Republicans and thirty-six opposition. So the ad? mission of the Southern Senators would deprive the radicals of their power in the Senate. And this is reason enough for keeping them out. In the House, parties now stand: 133 Republicans to 35 opposition. Ad? mit the 58 Southern members and the opposition is increased to 93 making it impossible for the radicals to carry any measure that requires a two-thirds vote. This view of the case satisfactorily explaing why it is the Southern members are not ad? mitted. It is power versus Constitu? tional right." Military Arrests. Thc recent arrests of Semmes and Mosby is very generally condemned by the press of the country. Here and there a malignant radical raves for the blood of a Southerner, but on the whole, Americans are a generous people, and do not care to annoy men who surrendered in good faith, and relied upon the magnanimity of the Government not to molest them. The Boston Advertiser, a Republican journal, puts the case strongly thus: "But whether it is worth while to go behind the surrender and single out here and there an offence of this sort for punishment, it is a point which wo trust may be carefully con? sidered by tho Government before proceeding far in this business. In the case of Semmes, for instance; is he to be tried for fighting before he was exchanged, and for nothing more? As the case now stands, the answer must be that he is; for it has been de? termined that nobody shall bc tried for the offence of plundering our commerce, any more than for destroy? ing property in military operations, and we cannot honorably seek to pun? ish him for that offence under the cover of a different charge. He is to be tried simply for the offence with which he is charged, without refer? ence to his guilt on other and graver charges which are not now to be brought to the bar of any court. But is the minor charge one which, consi? dered by itself, it would be thought worth while to rake out from the past, and bring to the notice of a military court? and if it is not, will the United States be able to easily satisfy others, or even their own people, that the prosecution on such grounds is any? thing more than an evasion, or a con? trivance to punish for another offence which is not to be reached except by indirection?" The Macon (Georgia} Telegraph mentions that it is tho intention of the discharged colored soldiers, who were in tho city the first of the week, to take up a portion of the public lands in Florida for the purpose of entering into cotton raising, and that they left for their destination on Thursday morning. These negroes had several Northern men of capital with them, who would control the en? terprise and advance the necessary funds. The laborers in this instance having their families along, gives somo assurance that they intend to act in good faith, and stick. There is only one right reserved to the South, the radicals think, viz the right to complain. . Correspondence ot thc Phcenij. ?WASHINGTON', January 22, 1866. The great question which absorbs public attention here now is the bill to confer free suffrage tm tho negroes in this District. The bill having passed the House, giving the negroes suffrage without any limitations or qualifications, tho public expectation is on tip-toe to see what the Senate will do. Great political results de? pend on this action of the Senate. It is ascertained, beyond doubt, that the President will veto the bill in its present form. If, therefore, the Senate sustain the action of the House, the President and Congress are at once placed in direct antago? nism. The President and the Repub? lican party, in Congress, will be at dagger's-points with eacli other, and the President will have to throw himself in tho arms of the conserva? tives of the country. This breach will undoubtedly involve a re? construction of the tabiuet, in the interests of conservatism. The conservatives are watching the crisis with deep interest. The only appre? hension they have is, that the Senate may modify the bill in such a way as to avoid the Presidential veto. A few days will develop the action of tho Senate, and it is to be hoped that they will have back-bone enough to follow their doctrines of negro equality, to the logical conclusion the House has. I think it likely that the Govern? ment will not attempt to try Captain Semmes. The case against him is a very feeble one. I am sorry to say, that an amend? ment to Trumbull's bill has passed the Senate, confirming to the negroes the title, for three years, to the lands they are in possession of on the Sea Islands of South |Carolina. As the House is much more radical than the Senate, it is almost certain this pro? vision will become the law, unless the President vetoes the bill. The Presi? dent, I have reason to know, does not favor this monstrous injustice to the Sea Island planters. But it is not known whether he will veto the bill or not. There seems to be no doubt but that Congress will repeal thc test oath required of lawyers practicing in the United States Courts. This libe? rality of Congress arises from the fact that the majority of the Supreme Court hold the law to be unconstitu? tional. Such is the opinion of the Court, though their decision has not been announced. Such a decision will, of course, very much shake the legality of the test oath now required of public officers, and smooth, to some extent, the obstacles to thc admission of the members of Con? gress from the South. As the mat? ter now stands, I think the Congress are determined not to admit any members from the South, except those who can take the test oath. As regards Mexico, from what I learn, it is the policy of our Execu? tive to preserve the peace with Maxi? milian until harmony is restored at the South. When restoration is com? plete-say two or three years from now-in time to operate cn the next Presidential election, a very emphatic notice to leave the premises will be served on Maximilian. In talking with leading Democrats one meets here from the North, sur? prise is constantly expressed by them that the Confederate States did not hold out to tho North the possibility of a pacific re-adjustment in the event of McClellan's election to the Presidency. With that to go on, they say, they would have beat the Republicans to death. The passage of your negro code is considered a great misfortune here. It is made a great handle of by the radicals. INTERESTING LETTER FROM BRAZIL. In the Herald, of tho 23d, is a letter from Rio Janeiro, dated December 9, 18G5-a late date it is, too-from which we extract the following para? graphs: While I was in New York an erro? neous impression seemed to prevail that the present war between Brazil and her allies with Paraguay was a contest between monarchism and republicanism. This is far from be? ing the case. The Brazilians, whilo honestly calling their Government an empire, are really more republican in their institutions than the Para? guayans, while Paraguay, though re? publican in name, is in reality an absolute despotism, and has been pretty much always so since tho reign of terror under that fantastic madman. Dr. Francis, who, by tho way, was more knave than fool. The Government of Brazil is one of the most liberal on earth. No where is the liberty of the citizens more re spec' ed. True, naturalized citizens ar'., still subject to certain disabilities, bat these will be undoubtedly re? moved in time under a reforming ruler, such as Don Pedro. An envi? able feature in this Government is tho obedience paid to the laws. During the three days' fetes and nocturnal illuminations consequent on the return of tho Emperor from the seat of wa:, not one serious dis? turbance took place. As much could not be said of certain other civilized communities. The Florida Legislature adjourned on the 16th instant, after a laborious session of thirty days. From Westlington. A correspondent of the Baltimore Sim, under date of Washington, January 23, writes as follows: It is known that the Justices of the Supreme Court have been conferring in relation to the trial of Jefferson Davis for some time, and there is not much doubt that they, or a portion of them, inspired the bill of Mr. Clark in the ;Senate. The indications aro very strong that the Court has decid? ed adversely to the test oath of 18G2, but thc rearons why a promulgation to that effect is not now made are obvious. The members elect to Congress from the South-west are on the point of returning home. It is due to truth to state that they have had little hope from the start. The hope of most Congressmen to designate; persons for Southern offices for purposes of ulterior advantages in trade affairs is what hardens thom against recon? struction. This game may be measurably blocked by appointing good men who are to the "manor born." The era of constrained good feelings between radical and conservative politicians is1' near its end, unless the former soon lower their crest. As thiupes are, it is thought that even Tennessee mem? bers cannot be admitted, though Mr. Colfax lias said that he should take the floor to advocate their rights to seats. The flood of experimental legislation, of a mere partisan nature, that the radical leaders are seeking to engraft upon th\fundamental law, not less than their n aw irrational idea of general negro suffrage, is alarming to moderate-minded men even in Congress. They are raising their incongruous fabric so high that before long it will tumble into undistinguish? ed ruin. P. S.-The prospect is that the negro suffrage bill will not be defi? nitely acted upon in the Senate for a considerable time. Better ideas are getting some foothold, as will be seen by the remarks of Mr. Fessenden to? day in the Senate. A special despatch to the Richnionu. Times, dated Washington, January 24, says: The proceedings in the House to-day were devoid of interest, except the debate on the report of the Joint Committee of Reconstruc? tion. Stevens did not attempt to drive the previous question. He finds his power was not so great as he had calculated. The Republican team will not work well in the traces. The whole thing boiled down amounts to this : ' 'Most of those who at first expected, and whom Stevens relied upon to vote for the resolution, now, upon reflection, oppose it." Every member has an amendment to offer, omitting his political idiosynoc racy. About twenty amendments have been offered-more coming. Now the plain facts are, the House wiU reject the resolution, or order its recoinniittal. But something even more offensive to the South may be looked for when the Committee again reports. QUID NUNC. FREEDMEN TN THE GULF STATES. Col. Osborn. Commissioner for Flori? da, reports to Gen. Howard that the affairs of the Bureau in that State are favorable. The high price of cotton is inducing planters to ofter high wages for the current year. The average wages paid freedmen will be twelve dollars a month. The substantial planters, the Colonel says, have a degree of consideration for their former slaves that could have hardly been expected, and are offering liberal wages, quarters and rations, with the privilege to the laborer of keeping his family with him at little expense. There are eighteen freedmen's schools in the State, all in a flourishing condition, having twenty-one teachers and 1,918 pupils. J Gen. Tillson, Assistant Commis? sioner for Georgia, has also forward . d to Gen. Howard a number of com? munications relative to freedmen, ironi agents and others in that State. In some counties the freedmen have entered into contracts and gone to work. The planters are in high spirits, and say the freedmen really act as though they were going to work. In some counties, Mitchell for instance, the freedmen have nearly all left, and Maj. Hastings, one of the agents, says he can't blame them, as the white people residing there are nearly as poor as the blacks. We presume, without knowing, however, that they have emigrated to some section where the whites are wealthier. On thc large plantations the contracts with the freedmen pro? vide for paying them a third of the crop. -Richmond Dispatch. ., "t STEAM BETWEEN BALTIMORE AND NEW ORLEANS.-A want that has long been felt by the mercantile commu? nity of Baltimore is about being sup? plied-that of direct communication by steam with New Orleans. The splendid steamship Cuba has been secured, and will leave this port on j her first voyage on or about the 31st instant, calling at Havana to land passengers and freight. The Cuba will, with the Isabella, form a regular line to Havana, the former going as far down the coast as New Orleans, and the latter touching at Charleston. [Baltimore Sun. On Friday Lost, Obadiah Page, of Wake County, N. C., living near Cedar Fork, came home drunk and beat his wife. Upon his son Alonzo's remon? strating, he beat him and cut him with a knife, whereupon Alonzo shot him death Local Items. Advertisements, to inswo moortion, should bo handed in by -1 o'clock p. tu. CASH.-Our tenn? for subscription, :ul vortising and job work are cash. We hope all parties will hear this ii; mind. "TUE CODE."-The Act* passed bx the Legislature relative to tile freedmen, for salo at this office. Price 20 cents; by mail 25 cents. AOENTS FOR THE 1'iKKMx. Thomas 1*. Slider, Esq., of Charleston, and H. [,. Darr, Esq., of Sumter, are the authorized agents of the Pheenix, in those sections of the State. MAH. ARRANGEMENTS.--Tho post office i* open daily froui 9 a. in. to 2 p. m. and from 5 to Gp. m. The Northern mail is closed at 9 p. m.; Greenville 'J p. m.; South Carolina Railroad mails G p. m. TH? BURNING OF COMMIHA. An inter? esting account ol the "Sack and Destruc? tion of the City of Columbia, S. C.," has just been issued, in pamphlet form, from tho Phoenix steam power press. Orders can be lilied to any extent. Members of the Legislature art; requested by tlie Treasurer and Comptroller-General to call the attention of Tax Collectors and Commissioners of their respectivo Election Districts to their advertisement in this morning's paper. "".The Greenville and Columbia Railroad Company, as will be seen by reference to our advertising columns, will commence carrying pa.-s*i;iigers through to Greenville in one day, and making connections with all the branch railroads, on and after Wednesday next. Don't crowd them too much for a few days, but after that time, they will be prepared to accommodate ono and all. Mr. LasSalle and his officers and employees are pushing thc work along rapidly, and before many moons will have the entire road in running order. THE NKW MARKET.-We are pleased to learn that on Friday last, Mr. Stork, Chair? man of the Committee appointed foi.* the purpose, entered into a contract with Messrs. C. E. Kirk and Robert Howell for the construction of our new market house, on Assembly street. It is to be erected under the supervision of the architects, Messrs. Kay <t Hewetson, to whose plans we have already referred. The new build? ing will be ornamental as well as use? ful. Prompt and effective labor will soon relieve us from thc nuisance about Levin 6 Peixotto's corner. Tho advertisement of the Limestone Springs Female High School will bo found in this morning's paper. The experience of Dr. Curtis, the ability of the teachers and the well-known healthfulness of the surrounding country, cannot but bc appre? ciated by parents. Dr. C. passed through this city yesterday, on his way home, and has succeeded in making arrangements with the railroad companies and Harvey's stage linc to cai ry any number of young ladies to this institution, in time for tho re-opening-the third Wednesday in Feb? ruary. HARPER'S MAGAZINE.-Tho number of this periodical for February has been handed to us by Mr. North. It has its usual quantity of illustrated and miscella? neous reading matter, and, as a cursory perusal of its pages warrants us in saying, bas little offensive to the feelings or preju? dice* of our people. Oae poem, "March? ing to thc Sea," commcni'.in.L.frp thc marchi of Sherman from Atlanta to Savannah, although perfect in its poetic merits, we deem in bad taste at tho present time. It is, however, a very readable number of tho magazine. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention ia call? ed to the following ad ?rtisements, which are published this morning for tho first time: Schedule on Greenville Railroad. Robert Bryce -Provisions. Limestone"Springs Female High School. Ii. O'Brien-Corn. Wright, Crews Sc Purse-Copartnership. The latest and greatest discovery in den? tal hygenie is Sozodont. It has superseded all the ordinary dentifrices, and for thia reason: that while it contains no solvent principle injurious to the enamel of tho teeth, it obliterates tartar and every other dental concretion, prevents canker of the gums, removes blemishes, both from the molars and incisors, and leaves the breath pure and sweet. t GREELEY OPPOSES GIVING LAND TO THE NEGROES.-A correspondent sug? gests that Congress proffer to every freedman forty acres of public land in Florida or elsewhere-to be inalien? able for a term of thirty years. "We are opposed to any such act, and to all legislation whatever about or for negroes, as such, unless there be peculiar and very urgent reasons therefor. "We wish it were possible, by a three-line amendment to the Federal Constitution, to prescribe that all Federal, State or local laws or regulations now extant, that create or recognize any legal distinction based on color, are hereby annulled, and the enactment of any more such precluded. If it be necessary to pass a declara? tory act, sotting forth that blacks, like whites, may settle on and pre? empt 160 acres of the public domain, paying the cost ($10) of survey or lo? cation, let it bc done, but we trust it is not necessary. Let us make this a land of equal rights and equal laws, and there stop.-Hein York: Tribune. Maj. Gen. J. H. "Wilson has resign? ed his commission in the army, and accepted the Northern agency or su? perintendency of the National Ex? press Company. He is expected to commence its active management in New York, within a fortnight.