University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBIA. Thursday Morning, March 29,1866. The Civil Rights Bill. It ?will be remembered that, when the State Convention first passed upon the Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, that body refused to ratify the second clause, as invest? ing Congress -with too much power. It will, moreover, be remembered there we? a sharp correspondence be? tween Gov. Perry and Mr. Seward on the subject, and that the latter re? buked the action of the Convention as querulous and captious-that there was no cause for apprehension from the action of CoDgress. Well, what have we presented to us, to-day, in the "Civil Rights Bill," as it is called, but the begin? ning of that action which the mem? bers of the Convention feared. Mr. Seward may have been deceived him? self in relation to the extent that radicalism would push its mischievous designs; but it is certain that our people were the subjects of a great deception, whether intended or not. But as the telegraph despatch we published yesterday informs us of the almost certain veto of this bill by the President, it is to be hoped that again will the wicked schemes of these arch-agitators be frustrated. Since the above was written, we have received some of our back mails from the North, and we find some of the New York journals discussing the constitutional auth?. rity to pass such a bill. The New York World has some admirable remarks on this point. That journal, in speaking of the con? stitutional amendment abolishing slavery, and which has been adopted by all the States which have com? pleted their action on this subject, says: "It is obvious that the authority conferred on Congress by the second ction of the amendment is founded n, and measured by, the declaration freedom contained in the first. *j?reerloni which tho first section ?lar?sT the seoocd empowers Con? gress to maintain; and it confers no other power whatever. "The liberation of a slave by pub authority docs for him precisely more nor less than private ission by a master. It merely the master's ownership. The tee merely prevents the re on of that ownership. It leaves freedman, in respect to all civil .ts conferred by State laws, just re he would have been left by a of manumission given him by master. The complete cancella of all claims to ownership being the sole object, and therefore the ex? act limit, of the authority conferred by the amendment, Congress cannot overpass that limit and assume other powers, without transcending its au? thority. But the Civil Rights bill assumes, to guarantee to all persons 'of every race and color'-that is, to all negroes-'the same right in every State and territory to make and en? force contracts, to sue and be sued, to be parties and give evidence, to in? herit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, and to be entitled to full and equal benefit of all laws for the security of person and property as white citizens. ' These are matters which have always belonged to the exclusive jurisdiction of the States. TJuder the jurisdiction of the States they still remain, unless a transfer is made by the amend? ment." The World argues the point well. The amendment referred to, of course, was intended to operate on slaves, and beyond cancelling the claims of ownership, it conferred no authority on Congress. Previous to its adoption, there were in the United States, in 1860, nearly 500,000 slaves. In all the former slave States, and in most of the free States, they were subject to civil or political disabilities, by reason of their race and color. To pretend that the emancipation amendment changed their condition, j Jarged their rights, is siinply they were free before amendment having the Southern slaves, oon Congress no right to civil\ condition ci the loraien free negroes .throughout the country. V Tim Richmond correspondent of | the Petersburg Kept .ess slays : Whis- ; pcrings of a financial crajsh in Rich- j i mond greet the ear. 'j Dull, very I dull," lias become so moncjtonous that lits rejection is spoken of. Jtimes have been foretold, ctraordinary living, big fehows, etc., j ^ye done it all. Richmond is full of >f all kinds. Somet|hing must ? These hard fHigh rents, Slandering the Dead. Radicalism not only slanders the | living, but would cast obloquy on tho memory of tho dead. Thc Presby? terian Herald, a religious paper, so called, published a statement, last week, to the offect that but one white man, outside the family circle, at? tended the funeral of tho late Gen. Wade Hampton. It is well-known to all our citizens, that a more malig? nant falsehood never was penned. The funeral was very largely attended by our citizens. The New York Watchman indignantly contradicted the statement last week, and in its last issue has the following para? graph: ' . A distinguished Presbyterian cler? gyman, of national reputation for learning and piety, was in our office a few days since, and happening to glance at the item, said that he knew that to be a falsehood, as he was at the funeral himself, being a theologi? cal student at Columbia; thnt the services were held in the Episcopal Church, and that a number of persons of very high respectability were pre? sent." We venture to say that the contra? diction will never appear in the jour? nal that uttered the slander. ->. WHAT THE UNITED STATT.S MUST PAY IN Two YEARS.-Mr. Schofield's speech in the House of Representa? tives at Washington on the loan bill contains the following interesting statement : "What is the amount of indebted? ness to be met, and when must it be met? To this question, I invite the careful and earnest attention of the House. I shall give the official state? ment ot the amount of our total in? debtedness, and also of that portion soon to become due. The amount, of our public debt on the first day of this month was $2.711,850,000. Less than half of this amount is funded. Within the next three years, $1,600, 000,000 of this debt will fall due. and will be presented at the counter of the Treasury Department for pay? ment. Thatpayment most be prompt? ly made, or our paper goes to protest and our credit is broken. I hold in my hand an official table, showing the amount of our indebtedness that ma? tures each half year for the next two years, which, after a word of expla? nation, I will read. "There waa on the last day of Feb? ruary, 1866, a portion of our debt in the form of a temporary loan to the amount of 8119,335.194.50, payable at the option of the lender after ten days' notice. It would hardly be fair to reckon that whole amount as pay? able within the first six months, yet as it may be called for at any time, and is the least valuable form of loan, it must be added to the statement of indebtedness soon to be met. With this explanation, and supposing the payment of this loan to be demanded within the next six months, I call attention to the facts exhibited in the table. "Between this day and the 30th of June next, we must pay, in addition to the regular expenditure of the Government, $138,674,874.82. Dur? ing the six months ending December 31, 1866, we must pay $47,665,000. During the six months ending June 30, 1867, we must pay $8,471,000. During the six months ending De? cember 31, 1867, we must pay $350, 000,000. During the six months end? ing June 30, 1868, we must pay $369,415,250. During the six months ending December 31, 1868, we must pay $287,564,482. So that between this and the assembling of the next Congress there must be paid over the counter of the Treasury, besides the ordinary expenses of the Government, 81,201,890,607.62." The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has authorized M. W. Grand Master Orr to draw upon their treasury for the sum of $1,000 in aid of the Grand Lodge in South Carolina. In addi? tion to this, considerable sums have been donated by the New York and Pennsylvania Lodges in behalf of local lodges in Columbia. CARGOES COMING.-The Courier says that, according to private advices received in Charleston, there are at least sixteen vessels bound for that port from Liverpool. The Rev. Dr. Raysor, writing from Barnwell District, S. C., under date of the 16th, communicates the fol? lowing pleasing information: "The freedmen are doing well in ; our country. They have ceased their wanderings 'to and fro,' have made j contracts, settled down, andar? work-1 ing with energy and spirit. They are j quiet, orderly and well-behaved, and we aro all hopeful of the future. From present indications, I think the usual cotton crop will be made in this neighborhood, together with an abun? dance of provisions." The Galveston (Texas) News says that tho best informed merchants es? timate the amount of old cotton in that State at not more than 12,000 bales. In some portions of the State to^^^^^^im becu planked, AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY ON THE NATIONAL FINANCES.-Mr. Hugh McCulloch has addressed to the Chairman of tho "Ways and Means Committee in the United States House of Representatives, a letter dated last Friday, in which he says that unless Congress should grant additional powers to tho Secretary, "it will be very difficult, if not im? possible, to fund the interest-bearing rr>tps," and that he regards it "as a matter of the greatest importance that the powers of the Secretary should not be strictly defined." If, for example, the Secretary should be prohibited from selling bonds below par, it would be easy (as the market in the process of funding must bc liberally supplied) for the enemies of the Government to form successful combinations for keeping I the bonds at such a price as would ! prevent the negotiation of them. On the other hand, if the authority of I the Secretary in this respect is not limited, no such combination would be likely to be formed. In my opinion, the best way of keeping the bonds at a premium, will be to leave the Secretary unrestrain? ed in the sale of them. Against au unrestrained power it would be dif? ficult to form successful combina ! tiona. A limitation of the authority of the Sacretary in this respect would be very likely to prevent funding. I do not, therefore, favor such a limi? tation, and should regret to have the committee respousible for it. In regard to the other important feature of the bill, the authority to withdraw United States notes, I have merely to remark that I conceive it to hn of vast importance to the busi? ness of the country, the welfare o? the country, and the credit of thc nation, that such a financial policy should be adopted by this Congress, as will prepare the way for a return to specie payment. When this can be brought about, will depend upon tho conditiou of national industry and the trade relations between th? Ignited States and foreign nations, it is not desirable that specie pay? ments should be restored, until that restoration can be made permanent by increased industry and a propel adjustment of the trade with Europe. The tendeucies now are all in thc right direction, and, if they shall bc adjusted by judicious legislation, ] shall be hopeful that the currency o: the country may be brought up tc tho specie standard without a large reduction of it. Tho following is a letter receivec by the Charleston Cour?ei: CHICAGO, March 13.-Enclosed yoi will find a list of prisoners of wa: who died at Camp Douglas, Chicago Illinois, belonging to South Carolin; regiments. For further particulars date of death, disease, length o sickness, location and number o graves, address E. S. JORDAN, Box 2,625, Chicago, Illinois. J. Breding, Company D, 24tl South Carolina; Abe Cox, Company A, 16th South Carolina; E. Edmund son, Company A, 24th South Caro lina; J. F. George, Company E, 24tl South Carolina; C. Holeman, Com pany F, 19th South Carolina; Rober McKee, 1st South Carolina Battery S. W. McKee, Company G, 24tJ South Carolina; Dove Mayers, Soutl Carolina Regiment; W. R. Rice Company F, 24th South Carolina; H L. Smith,. Company R, 16th Soutl Carolina; William Summary, Com pany D, 24th South Carolina; F. A Timmerman, Company K, 24th Sout' Carolina; T. L. Turner, Company E 10th South Carolina; J. D. Walkei Company E, 24th South Carolina M. Wallace, Company H, 24th Sout Carolina. The above is eopied from th official records, and the bodies ca be disinterred and sent home, if di sired. E. S. JORDAN. From a list of tho dead Confede? rate soldiers buried at Newman, Ga. we find the following from Sout Carolina: J. S. Saunders, Company D, 25t South Carolina Regiment; C. L Davis, Company C, 2d South Care lina; W. F. Brice, Company I, ls South Carolina; R. Willing, Con pany H, 7th South Caroliua; Joh Starling, Company E, 2d South Carr lina; W. A. Langley, Company L 16th South Carolina; J. M. McClanc Company I, 19th South Carob'aa; J Brittle, Company F, 16th South Care lina; J. M. Randall, Company I 16th South Carolina; L. M. Ho wei Company F, 24th South Carolina; ,1 J. ('ope, Company B, 24th Sout Carolina. A WRONG RIGHTED.-Dorrance A water, a Connecticut soldier, a pr soner at Andersonville, managed t make and bring home with him a ro of those who died in that prison, tl only copy in existence. He lent it t the War Department to bo copi?e and, on regaining it, he declined t give it up to the Secretary of Wa on the ground that it was valuable 1 him as private property, ?c. Fe this, he was tried by court-marti and sentenced to the Albany Pen tentiary for two years, and was final released by President Johnson. f Newark (New Jersey) Journal. TU? Political Situation. The New York correspondent of the Charleston Courier says: There are sonio mysterious move-1 ments in progress, and as yet only j partially developed, of a chango in ! the policy of a part of the Demo? cratic party. Coming on the heels of Senator Stewart's conversion to radi? calism, and thr article in Raymond's paper, the Times, in favor of qualified negro suffrage, it suggests that the politicians are finding out that the so-called conservative position is not tenable The proposed change of front on the part of the Democrats is foreshadowed in the New York Lead? er, the organ of the Tammany or War Democracy. In a leading article, it remarks that the question is being seriously discussed among certain prominent Democrats, whether it would not be politic to commit the party in favor of suffrage for all ne? groes who can read and write. The position taken bj- the leader is ex? plained thus: "That as the Democratic party has regarded negroes as inferior to the whites in every requisite of manhood, we now give this race a chance to j either reverse or sustain this verdict by aiding to confer upon them every possible right. If the Democratic dogma be correct, the negroes will soon demonstrate their incapacity, and all the philanthropic agitation which now takes the place of legiti? mate politics and sound statesman? ship will die out of itself or be killed by the incontrovertible logic of facts. On the other hand, if experience should prove that thc negroes are in? telligent and capable of participating in the affairs of the nation, of course the Democratic party is bound by its patriotism and its principles to frank? ly acknowledge its error and admit thc political equality of the blacks." If this, then, is to be the policy of thc Northern Democracy, the events of the past teach nothing. 1 have supposed that if anything has been conclusively demonstrated by party history, it has been the fatal conse? quences of compromising with prin- ? ciple and temporizing with the enemy, j It was only when the Democratic party abandoned consistency and at- i tempted to compromise with Aboli? tionism, by adopting Douglas' squat- j ter sovereignty dogma, that it lost its 1 strength aud prestige. Now, in spite of this warning, it is proposed to j give way again to the aggressive ? spirit of fanaticism, and abandon the old Democratic doctrine that this isa i white man's Governni?nt. And the ! only argument advanced in favor of this faint-hearted policy is that its adoption will take the wind out of thc radical sails; as ii, forsooth, the monster did not fatten upon just such food as this. If the Abolitionists secured the triumph of their cause in 18G0 through the cowardice of the Democracy, are they likely to be dis mayed in 1866 if their opponents j again fall hack before them? 1 can j safely make the prediction that if ! Democratic politicians do betray the principles of the party in the way herein proposed, they will split it into fragments, for a large portion of it will not be led further into radical? ism, even if thc triumph of the or? ganization can be achieved hy such a course. The political campaign in Connec? ticut is vigorously pushed by both parties, the Democrats flattering themselves that there i<* a chance of their success. James E. English, the candidate for Governor, is a wealthy man, and is spending money (a potent agent in New Eugland elections) with? out stint. The Democrats have se? cured an ally in Eli Thayer, formerly the Free-soil member of Congress from the Worcester (Mass.) Distrie'., who is making speeches for their cause in Connecticut. The election takes place early in April, and will indicate what progress Democracy has ! made since thc resident quarreled with the radical wing of his party. AFRICANS IN SENATE GALLERY.- j An effort is to be made in the Senate to classify the auditors who visit the galleries. Reserved seats for the Members of Congress and their wives ! and families are demanded by some . of the better-halves of Senators. ! whose, olfactories are offended by the j African aroma. Besides, even when the colored population are kept sepa- j rate from white folks, it is found that i the canaille, or common people, mix up among tho Senatorial families, so that it is difficult to distinguish the commonality from th?; aristocracy. The ladies complain, and the Senators therefore request the Sergeant-at- j Arms to classify folks, but that officer | don't feel authorized to comply with the request, so says Senator Riddle, j who offered a resolution, to-day, di? recting a place to be set apart for the distingue. Somebody objected to the i present consideration of the subject, ; and the resolution goes over until Monday.- Washington Correspondent X. )'. Times {Republican.) -?<???- - CABINET CHANGES.-It is rumored \ at Washington that Mr. Speed is ' about to retire from tho Cabinet, and that Mr. Stansbury, of Ohio, will succeed him as Attorney-General. The Savannah Republican has, by order of President Johnson, been re? stored to its owner. Colonel W. F. Sims. A Colonel J. E. flays, of Massachusetts, had taken possession I of it. ?U the prisoners in the jail at New i Rtm?, North Carolina, some fifteen in : From Washington. The Second Comptroller of the Treasury to-day decided a matter of great interest to Southern claimants for balances due them from tho Go? vernment. General A. B. Eaton, Commissary General, addressed a communication to the Comptroller, informing him that certain persons residing in the Confederate States during the rebel? lion, and who had a domieil in said States before the civil war and during its continuance, now come .and de? mand of the Government balance? which they allege wore duo and pay? able to them before the civil war be? gan. The Commissary-General asks: "Are they entitled to these ba? lances?" The Comptroller replies that tho claimants are not so entitled, nnd that the laws of nations, the laws of Congress and the decisions of the Su I preme Court justify this opinion. He proceeds to say that whilst the war j continued, the claimants, in the eye of the law, were regarded as hostile I characters, and their property, as j enemy property, liable to seizure and ! confiscation; and this hostile charae ! ter attaches to both persons and I things, until, by the action of Con ' gress or of tho Executive, it is wholly removed. He quotes from authorities to prove the right of *he Government to seize enemy prop? ey and appropriate it to its own use, and he declares that debts stand upon the same grounds as other property; that the authorities estab? lish the right of the United States to the debts due a Confederate enemy at the time the war commenced; that they also prove that, in -a legal point of view, tin- claimants were enemies of the Government of the United States; that these debts never having been reduced to possession, but always having remained as balances in tlie Treasury, caunot now be with? drawn by claimants, except in viola? tion of law, for the title of these ba? lances, jure, belli, must be regarded as divested from the origiual owners, and transferred to the United States Government. Whether this decision will hold good or not, upon presentation to, and revision by, other officers, re? mains to be seen. The Second Comp? troller's decision is final, unless the Secretary of the Treasury, upon re? quest of claimants, shall refer it to the Solicitor of the Treasury for revi? sion. A matter of such importance as this will surely take that course. The President is granting but few pardons, and nearly all are under the thirteenth exception. By direction ot' the Secretary of the Interior, payment of pensions to loyal Southern pensioners from the 16th of August, 1861, to the date of completing proof of loyalty, was sus? pended whilst awaiting the Attorney General's opinion as to the right of these pensioners to payment of such arrearages. The Attorney-General has now given an opinion that these claimants should be restored to the rolls of the Southern pension agen? cies, and they will, therefore, receive their pay. Upon a mere superficial view, it strikes me rather forcibly that this decision of the Attorney-General is, in principle, directly in conflict with that of the Comptroller of the Trea? sury, which I have set forth in the beginning of this letter, and I have not the slightest doubt that Attorney General Speed's opinion is sound law. If Southern creditors, claimants for balances due from the Government, shall prove their loyalty during the late civil war, there is no reason to doubt that they will receive their pay. There may be vexatious delay, but the claims will surely be paid, if pressed in the right direction. j Cor. Richmond Titnes, 2-?th. A SIGNIFICANT LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.-As showing the position of tho President on the subject of j opposition to his policy of reconstruc- j tion, the Natio7ial Intelligencer of Sa- '? turday publishes the following corres? pondence: POST OFFICE, HARTFORD, CT. March 22, 1866. SIR: I am now engaged in publicly advocating the election of James E. ? English as candidate for Governor of : Connecticut, a gentleman who is open- | ly committed to the support of your ! veto, to the defence ol' your speech i of thc 22d of February, and of your policy of restoration in opposition to I the disunionists of Congress. I am opposing the election of ! General JosephR. Hawley, who open-1 ly disapproves of your veto and your 22d February speech, and declines to support your policy, as opposed to the radical majority in Congress. If ray political action is not fatis factory to you, I beg you to receive my resignation as Postmaster in this ' city. I have the honor to remain as ever, vonr friend and obedient servant. E. ti. CLEVELAND. His Excellency Andrew Johnson, Prc sident United States. THE I'KESIDEST'.S ENDORSEMENT. EXECTJTTVE MANSION, March 23, ie?6. Your political action in upholding my measures and policy is ap? proved. Your resignation is, there? fore, not accepted, but is herowith returned. ANDREW ?JOHNSON. Local Items. Mortgagor and Con Tey ancos o? Heal Es? tato for sale at this office. No MAILS.- JWe have been without Nortb ! C?n mails for two ?lays. We do not know j the canne of the interruption. CASH.-Our terms fur subscription. u.i J vertisiug and job work are cash. Wc l??p . all parties will bear this in mind. Tnt WEEKLY GLKANEK.-The regalar publication of this paper will be postponed a few week.-. Persons desirous of (sub? scribing, will please forward the tn one \ at once. Terms $4 a year. THE BURNINO OK COLUMBIA. An inter I ostini; account of thc "Sack and Destruc? tion of the City of Columbia, S. C.." hu i just been issued, in pamphlet form, froni the Phoenix steam power pres?. Order.-? can be filled to any extent. j Di:, it. W. GIBBES, Sn. We learn from M i letter from Havana, in tin: New Orleans j Times, dated February 25, that Dr. Gibbes ! was at that time at the Nie of Pines, j where he intends settling with his family. The lovers of turtle soup will have an op j portunity of gratifying their appetite to? day, by calling at Mr. Fanning's restau? rant, on Assembly street, nearly opposite the new market. By-thc-way, he has ex? cellent soup every day. i We have received from Messrs. Towu ; send & North a copy of the "Elementary j Speller and Header" published in Augusta. I Ga. An examination of its contents will j prove, beyond mistake, that it is a South? ern production; but whether or not it is an improvement on the old '"speller,"' we aro not prepared to say. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. -Attention is call? ed to the following advertisements, which are published this morning for the first time: ,F. H. Clarkson A Co.-Com, Hay, Oats. Furniture at Private Sale. Nominations for Mayor and Aldermen. E. E. Jackson -Kerosene Oil. Daniel Hughey-Mule Stolen. Apply on Main Street -Booms to Rent. - - - - - . A tender tete-a-tete loses half its charms, if thc sweet words of either party are not mated with a fragrant breath. Sozodont is thc only article that will assure this de? sideratum bj- keeping the teeth speckless, thc gums healthy, the whole mouth pure and undefiled, lt literally embalms tne dental substance, preserving it from decay, ' through life. Use it daily. Will find* it "a pleasure. t INTERESTING TO RAILROAD COMPA? NIES.-The following extracts from a letter tiddressed to an assessor of in? ternal revenue by the Deputy Com? missioner are of interest to assessors and railroad companies: Section 122 imposes a tax of five per cent, on all dividends and profite of such companies carried to the ac? count of auy fund or used for con? struction. As it was found to be im? practicable for railroad companies to state their net gains as often as a di? vidend was declared, this office has not insisted upon its being done, but requires such statement to be made once a year, this being as often as the accounts of the company are settled. One return during the year, on form No. 65, should show the net gains and profits over dividends declared for the entire year, and the tax should be paid on such profits. It will be observed thpt the amount of profita used for construction is subject to the tax of five per cent,, the same as if it were added to surplus or contingent funds. WESTERN EMIGRATION.-The tide of emigration is setting strongly Westward this spring. The Kansas City (Missouri) Journal of Commerce, of the 8th inst., says: "The emi? grant trains, of all sizes and descrip? tions, from two to a dozen wagons, loaded with household goods and ag? ricultural implements, many accom? panied by small droves of cows and young cattle, are pouring through our streets, wendiug their way South? ward and Westward to the inviting lands of Missouri and Kansas. In the course of half an hour, while coming from Westport into the city, we counted twenty-two wagons with their freight of furniture, farming tools and children. At this rate the usual length of the migration season would -ive to South-western Missouri and Loath-eastern Kansas a popula? tion that will soon double the wealth and production of those sections." It is gratifying to note that, ever since Henry Ward Beecher made a study of the doctrine of eternal pun? ishment, his views on national affairs have become more conservative. In his "green and salad days," ^before his judgment ripened, hewas'^i red hot radical, and given to very eccen? tric notions on morals and theology. But when the subject of hell-fire was presented to him, although he ex? pressed some doubts as to its literal? ness, yet it effected a happy change in his politics. He evidently made up his mind that, although there might be no such place as hell, he had bet? ter shape his conduct so that he would never go there if he was mistaken. We commend this idea to Stevens, Sumner and Greeley. When they feel uncharitable and malignant to? wards their neighbors, let them con? sult Beecher on hell-fire, and govern themselves accordingly. [Kew York World. The total packin^'f h^^W? West, it is Mipposedj^^^^yyf^Sirf tween 1,600,000 un?jM~ uearly 2,600,000