Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. _ Tuesday Morning, December ll. 1866. W lim ix Conting. Tho National Republican, (official,) of Friday, repeats what it has boforo said as to the radical scheme for pre? venting the Southern States from vot ing|at the next Presidential election; and reiterates, that in the event that the electoral votes of thoso States ?would, nevertheless, electa President, if counted-that candidate, whoever he might be, would be President, or wo would have another revolution, more bloody perhaps tlifcu the one we have passed thrpugh, because there would be a loyal sentiment in tho North to support the South in her electoral rights. This statement, coming from the official organ of the President, ?3 signi? ficant ; but wc suggest that if the Southern States bc reduced to a terri? torial conditiou by Congress in tho meantime, what advantage will the interposition of President Johnson be when the election of President comes on? Oar opiniou is, that if tho President intends to interfere at all with the acts of this unconstitutional Congress, he should do it long before the time for the election of President. There may not bc a Southern State in existence at that time-that is, as a sovereign State-and his interposition would then come too late. There is trouble brewing in the fu? ture of our national affairs, which may be arrested by firmness and prompt actiou on tho part of the Executive. One or other brauch of the Government must direct the af? fairs of the country ; but every right thinking man will pray to save us from the Congressional despotism now being sought to be established . by Stevens and Sumner. Cotton. According to the best authorities, the wants of tho world in our greal staple is estimated at 3,500,000 bales. Putting down the products of thc Southern States at 2,000,000 bales which is above the mark; East Indie; 600,000 ; Egypt 800,000 ; Brazil foi 130,000 bales, gives a supply of 3,000, 000 bales. Setting the stocks oi hand'afc the beginning of the yea; against those that will be on hand a the close, wo have then a deficiency in the supply of 2,000,000 bales. Under these circumstances, it i; reasonable to anticipate an advanci in the price of cotton, or at least tba it will not decline, and will, doubtless advance more than the/scant suppl would warrant. Tho advance in prici very often goes ahead of the real de ficiency of the supply, for the ver apprehension of a short supply ofte-? increase's prices far beyond thei legitimate circle. As far as we can observe from ou exchanges in the gulf cotton-growinj States, and in the States of the Mis sissippi valley, the cotton crop of th whole Southern States will not mue ixceed 1,500,000 bales, although i may reach 1,800,000. Wo will take for instance, a case ia Alabama, J planter of that State offers to the Mc bile Tim's a list of fifty plantation in Noxubee valley, in which wer . raised in 18G0, 5,513 bales of cottoi this year the crop is but 1,207-a d< ficiency of -1,000 bales. Besides fchi falling off in the staple, the write thinks there is only about one-tent of a crop of corn or meat. From Louisiana, Arkansas, an other States, we have pretty muc the same accounts, and we do uc think that we have any cause t change onr earlier estimates, made i the Phoenix at the opening of th season-say 1,500,000 bales. We place these estimates before or cotton-growing friends, and lea? them to govern themselves in the di position of the staple. Our opinic is, that cotton cannot materially d' cline in price, and our belief is th it will advance. The movements i cotton must of course be governed I the absolute wai'ls and rn cessities < the producer; but as a general ml we think those who can hold on i their cotton bales, will not lose I doing so. MAKTIAI? LAW DECLARED ru MJ SOURI.-Gov. Fletcher has declar? martial law in Ray and Platte Cou ties of Missouri, and has marched strong force to these Counties. Son disturbances have occurred latel growing out of political exeitemei and horse thieves, robbers ai murderers infest the frontiers Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, b detectives are there at work, and it expected they will pick them all n The North lind Sooth. Tho New York Sun, of Friday, says: "The late commercial depression at the North is attributed by the liich mond Enquirer to our unsatisfactory relations with the South, and to what it deems the impolitic attempts of Congress at reconstruction. It is no doubt, true, that if the South held its old relations to the North thc con? dition would be one more favorable to trade and commerce between tho two ; yet it must not ho supposed that tko North depends for its pros? perity on the continuance of Southern trade. New York has never, at any time, reached so high a degreo of commercial prosperity as during the war, when all Southern communica? tion was entirely suspended. Al? though some brandies of industry suffered, others received a propor? tionate stimulus, and the condition of the entire North was so far from ruinous, as Southern predictions would havojuad it. " Tho New York Sun knows better than tho sham statement it makes above. Whatever of prosperity the North enjoyed during the war, ema? nated from tho United States Treasu? ry, in the shape of shoddy contracts, pickings, stealings, &c. If this were not tho case, what is the cause of tho depression in business, the Sun itself records from day to day. THE GOVEKN-MENT REVENUE.-It is stated in advices from Washington, that tho radicals will make a deter? mined and persistent effort to de? tach tho entire control of the Govern? ment revenue from the Executive, in order that they may possess greater facilities for plunder and spoils. From the foreshadowings already made, there is nothing at which the \ radical majority will hesitate, and it is evident that the leaders have made up their minds either to control the whole machinery of government, or to utterly destroy it. Snmner has so avowed, Stevens has so avowed, and so have tho rest of the leaders, and what they dictate, the balance will subscribe to. The President has discomfitted the thimble-rigging politicians, by ignoring the discussion of constitu? tional amendments and the negro suffrage issue. He knew that a mes? sage to Cougress was not the proper place to discuss questions so wholly within the province and jurisdiction of the States; but the thousand and ono wiseacres who think they could conduct the Government as easily as they throw off a political paragraph, would have had him discuss and arguefy every topic in the range of governmental sci euee, and provoked a controversy with every crotchet in the land. -.-*-?_? THE DEMOCRATS-The correspi.ri? dent of the New York Times ^writes from Washington, that the Democrats have had no formal caucus, but have nevertheless resolved, after holding several informal conferences, to be less belligerent than they were at the last session-hoping that the radicals, if allowed rope enough, will hang themselves. The honest people of the country will rejoice if the anti? cipated result shall follow. The radicals of the North are attempting to alter human nature, and reverse the current of human feeling. They think to make a peo? ple towards whom they arc manifest? ing a fiendish hate, and loading with opprobrium and oi>pression, admire, imitate, fraternize and love them. The New York Tribune in one issue has an article felicitating itself on thc poverty of the Southern people, and another gloating over the actual desti? tution in some parts of the Southern country. "-*-*.?-* A bill has passed one branch of thc Georgia Legislature, to exempt levy and sale of certain property of everj j debtor in the State. The bill exempti ? 160 acres of land, or four acres in i city, town or village, provided thc same is not worth more thai) ?5,000. It exempts two horses or] mules, twe cows and calves, one cart and yoke o? oxen, together with a year's suppl} of eorii. b;;con or pork. Also, pro fessional books, agricultural imple men ts, ?fcc., ?fcc. -! Wm. M. Martin, Esq., an old resi dent of Charleston, but who residec in Columbia during the war, died ir the former city,'on Saturday last. As a result of tho recent meeting! of the insurance companies, held ir Hartford and New York, the curren rates have advanced, in some cases from one-half of ono per cent, to on< and one-quarter percent. The insur ance companies have all made mo i ney on their risks in Hartford, while i losing in many other places. The Pardoning Power. In thc seventy-fourth number of tho Federalist, Mr. Hamilton, speak? ing of the pardoning power in the Constitutian, its intentions and uses, and aTter having argued that if it were committed to Congress it might be corruptly abused to too great clemency, says: "On the other hand, when the se? dition had preceded from causes which had inflamed the resentments of tho major party, they might often be found obstinate and inexorable when policy demanded a conduct of forbearance and clemency. Eut thc principal argument for reposing the power of pardoning iu this orno in tho Chief Magistrate, is this: In seasons of insurrection and rebellion, there are often critical moments, when a well-timed offer of pardon to the insurgents or rebels may restore thc tranquility of the commonwealth; and whioh, if suffered to pass unim? proved, it may never be possible afterwards to recall. The dilatory process of convening the Legislature, or orre of its branches, for the pur? pose of obtaining its sanction, would frequently be the occasion of causing to let slip the golden opportunity. The loss of a week, a day, an hour, may sometimes be fatal." This great authority would seem to conclude that the thirteenth section of tho Act of 18G2 was unnecessary to endue the President with complote powers over the whole question, either before or after the conviction; and that the Constitution gives to thc President power to extend amnesty by proclamation, which would work a remission of all statutory penalties and forfeitures. State* Rights. The National Intelligencer, of Thurs? day, in an article on the ' political situation, says: If tho State Government in Ver? mont was destroyed by an English invasion which held possession of that territory for one or more years, it would be in the power of the peo? ple-nay, it would be their inalienable right-to meet in convention and re? organize a State Government. And if the State had been held so long by British bayonets that many of the people had succumbed and united in the institution of a different Govern? ment, they would not, by that Act, be debarred from taking part in the reconstruction as citizens of Vermont, unless there was law to prevent it. All that the Executive would have to do with the question, would be to as? certain and jinnounce that military resistance was so far overcome as to justify the people in the re-establish? ment of civil authority. Virtually this was done. On occupying thc South, military law was gradually withdrawn, and as fast as the State Governments were rehabilitated, thc civil authority was substituted for thc military. We do not deny that if Congress had been in session it might have taken the determination of this ques? tion out of the hands of the Execu? tive. But unless this power was exer? cised, it would be bound by his acts. Congress never made but one attempt to determine on what basis the peo? ple should exorcise their indefeasible right of re-organizing their State go? vernments when overthrown by the rebellion, and that was defeated by Mr. Lincoln's failure to sign the bill. In the absence of any legislation tc control him, the President was sole judge, subject only to the limitations of the Constitution and of expresi statutes. The recusant citizens, ir the absence of iaw depriving them ol their rights, were legally citizens o: tho United States, entitled to all th< privileges of such the moment tho] abandoned armed resistance, ant exposed only to such penalties as tin law imposes. We do not deny tho right of Con gress to have disfranchised ever} re bel as a penalty for his offence;" bu not having done that, we do clain that all save tho excepted classes ii the amnesty proclamation aie reba bilitated, and that Congress has u< more legal authority to destroy th State governments of the South thai the State governments of Pennsylva nia or of Illinois. Icmudea blunde in failing to impose disabilities fo treason, and to provide a basis of re construction, and it is nr. >v too late t think of going beLin? it. Hecon struction is not Andrew Johnson' work. The State organizations o the South are not of his creatior That was the work of tho Souther people themselves. Those organize tions exist by the act of the men o Mississippi and South Carolina, b the act of citizens who cannot nowb punished by the arm of the Feden Government, for the bulk of ther are absolved of their offeov:? by th terms of their parole, and of the an nesty proclamation. I NAVAL AIT AIRS.-During the pas ten days there has been unusual a( tivity at tho Brooklyn navy yare ! Orders havo been received to ge eight vessels-tho gun-boats Pen ol scot, Peoria, Gettysburg, Unaelilla Huron, Quiunebaugh and Purveyoi and the sloop-of-war Iroquois, i readiness for sea with all despatel The Gettysburg was formally put inf commission with orders to re2>ort f Ailmiral Palmer, of the; West Indi squadron.-Neu- York Herald. ------. I.-I. The Despotism. The New York Herald, of Friday, says : The republicans of 0 ):iu?r,!?< luve resolved, among other things in cau? cus, to provide by law : FIRST-That no name shall be planed on the roll of the next Congress ex? cept from States entitled to represen? tation by law. SECOND-That no electoral votes shall be counted for President and vice-President (1868) cast by any State excluded from Congress. THIRD-That tho first session of the fo- iieth Congress, instead of meeting ;n December, as usual, shall meet on the 4th of March next, at the close of the present Congress. Considering, therefore, that the House, byan overwhelming majority, has resolved to adhere to the pending constitutional amendment as the ba? sis of Southern restoration, this pro- j gramme simply means that the ex? cluded States shall have no voice in Congress or in the approaching Presi? dential election, unless they abandon meantime their present declared pur? poses of holding out against the amendment. "To this complexion they must come at last," and the sooner the better. This is thc whole case in a nut-shell. This is our future. The establish? ment of a perpetual Congress, we re? gard as tire worst form of a despot? ism, for in this way that body would acquire a power th ot would eventual? ly overwhelm the executive and judi? ciary deportments of the Govern? ment. So lona; as thc several departments of the G*overnment confined them? selves to the sphere of their constitu? tional duties, thc Government was well managed, and there was little danger as to an infraction of the Constitution, or to the liberties of tho people. But tho law-making power of the Government has usurp? ed all power-extinguishing sover? eign States, taking charge of the Treasury departmeut, and over-riding the conservative provisions of tho Constitution, and setting at defiance all remonstrances from the Execu? tive. They thus install a despotism which must bring the country to ruin. If the present Congress persists in the course which it seems to have set out upon, no one can tell to what dire evils it will lead. Lord Erskine, in the British House of Commons, once described a crew animated by similar motives. He said: "There are wretches, also, without virtue, labor, or hazard, who "are growing rich as their country is impoverished. They rejoice when obstinacy, ambition, or folly adds another year to slaughter and devasta? tion, and laugh from behind theil desks at bravery and science, while they are adding ligure and cypher tc cypher, hoping for a new contract from a new armament, and Computing the profits of a siege or a tempest." TUE MATAMORAS AFFAIR.-Thc Washington correspondent of thc World writes: We have good authority for saying that Gen. Grant has not, up to thii hour, received a word touching tin reported entrance of Gen. Sedgwick into Matamora8 and the military ope? rations around that city. Gen. Granl received a letter from Gen. Sheridan, dated November 29, five days afte? the reported entry into Matamoras in which he says ho had ordered Gen Sedgwick not to make his propos?e movement, as tho same was entireb disapproved of. If the movemen was made into Matamoras as report ed, we feel authorized to say tha Gen. Sedgwick has been placed unde arrest, and will be punished. Gen Sheridan, it is believed, reachec Brownsville on Tuesday last. Sud was his expectation, as stated in hi letter to Gen. Grant. It is believe? here that if Gen. Sedgwick entere< Matamoras as reported, he has bee: over-reached by the merchants o that-place, who are at heart Impe rialists, and who have lately beei entertaining him with sumptuou dinners. TUE COTTON TAX.-A despatch o the 6th from Now York'says : At the regular meeting of th Chamber of Commerce this aftei noon, a memorial was read prayin Congress to abolish tho export dut on cotton. Figures were given t show the relative production of col ton here and in Europe, and that nc only the control of the Europea market is impracticable, but thu American cotton is likely > becom more and more insifinifieant in tha market unless the exportation of th staple is perfectly free of ? .ty. 1 was thought tho revenuo 'rom th tax might reach $20,OOO,OOO annually COTTON TN TEXAS.-The Bastro (Texas) Advertiser says that thoi sands of pounds of cotton will be *o: in that neighborhood for the wa hands to pick it out. The ni, ot about Bastrop have called a mai meeting for tho 6th December, fe the purpose of establishing a regnli system of labor, and adopting me! sures for the general good of tl: race. Tile South. lu mi able discussion on the situa? tion, as it affects the South, the New York ExpresAn?kes the following por tinentobservntions : After a long struggle, the South foresaw her doom and final overthrow 1 as a slave power. She first saw it in : the accession of free territory and free States as an acquisition from Mexico and of the war. She then saw it under the operation of the compro? mises in 1854, and sought to retrieve what she had lost, twenty-four years before; and this effort to recover her political po .ver precipitated her fall it brought thc repeal-and the strug? gle in liaijsits was bub a light-house, showing that we were plunged into the sea of revolution in which we are still wallowing and/iounclering, unable to return to that haven of security we once left, while the. fowls of the air and tho birds of prey are chanting their wild orgies and screams to dim our joys and to make night hideous. The North elected its own president; the South then Sought to gain its equilibrium in compromise. The North said the. day of compromise is past-not that the South had been perfidious-the North had offered the compromise in 1820, and each section had changed position in 1854-so we had rendered the compromise in the Constitution worthless for the recove? ry of slaves; and how, then could we throw stones against the windows of our neighbo*? All these things had flown oat of the heajt of Aboli? tionism, its struggle with our organ? isms as a nation, and, finally, the South sought to separate from us and become a State of itself; that act wo called rebellion, and unjustifiable dis? ruption of the Government. War came, and tho South failed, because it was not united. Now it is subjugated, overthrown, and statesmen tell us that it is no longer States-no longer societies with sovereign law-it has no rights which we are bound to re? spect. Such is the final conclusion of the out and out radical. But the end is not yet. States, governments, societies and men will docay and perish. But when ? That history will aus wer; and yet justice will yet retrieve herself in the bosoms of men. The men of freo States have never been trampled upou, but they would rise again to shake off despo? tism and tyrants. History teaches us that, and we may disregard her admonitions until it is too late to save the Republic furthercoutention. There is a (Jod in Israel, and menah di not always trample on his laws. This sounds to our ears as the very voice of prophecy. We are convinced that, unless the contentions that di? vide the sections of this country are quieted by the exhibition of a proper ciisposition on the part of the North, this country will cither be converted into a despotism, or will bo split asunder during the next two years. Free people cannot be enslaved. Jus? tice cannot be trampled on with im? punity. "Nations are lost when they follow the apostles of dissension and hate." Let the mad partisans of the North tako heed of the warning which all human history echoes from nature. The brave can only be subjugated, and held subject to an unjust power for a time-right at last will prevail over wrong. FROM WASHINGTON.-Tho corres? pondent of the Baltimore Sun writes: The Senate has adjourned until ! Monday, to enable the committees to arrange business for this session of Congress. Another purpose of this adjournment is to enable the Repub? lican Senator-; to hold a caucus, which meets to-morrow, at 12 o'clock m., to consider what action shall betaken on the House bill providing for the repeal of tho thirteenth section of tho law empowering the President to grant pardon and amnesty, etc. ; also, to determine what shall be done with the measures proposed by the caucus of Representatives last night. It is understood, too, that the several bills to regulate tho tenure of office, and Mr. Kelley's bill to create the internal revenue department, will bc discussed in the Senate caucus. Objection is made especially to tho feature of Mr. Kelley's bill, which gives control of tho internal revenue department effectually to the Supreme Court, which tribunal, it is claimed, would be prostituted to political and financial interests should thc bbl be? come a law. T;rK Porn.-The religious journals of Paris insist stro.\ that tho Popo cannot possibly, with any regard for his safety, remain at Rome after tho departure of tho French troops. Should His Holiness not resolve to take his departure of his own free* will, circumstances, they assert, will speedily after leael to his expulsion. In consequence, those journals not only nrgo the Holy Father to depart, but affect to look on that course as decided on. Then comes the ques? tion, "Where will the Head of the Church go?" And on that point there is tho greatest diversity of opinion. THE LOUISIANA ST/, TE SEMINARY. Besides Admiral Semines, says the Picayune, Gen. Joseph Wheele r, well k.own as a cavalry officer during the late war, has been elected Professor of Natural Science in the State Semi? nary. Over one hundred and fifty students have arrived, and many others aro expected. In aeidition to the regular course, it has been de? cided to permit the student to choose his own studies, to fit him for any business in life. The Phoenix office is on Main street, a few doors above Taylor (or Camden) street. P. S. Jacobs, Esi[., has bren appointed Grand Scribe of tho R. W. Grand Encamp? ment of I. O. O. F. of South Carolina, for the balance of the term, in place of Ed? ward Mitchell, deceased. Ora READING ROOM.-Members of the Legislature and tho citizens generally, ar., invited to visit tho Phoenix reading room, where they will find on file papers and periodicals from every section of the Union. Tho huii.lin?; is open day and night. DON'T LET IT Go OUT OK PRINT.-The only truthful and authentic account of thc sack and destruction of Columbia, written by one of South Carolina's most compe? tent men, all tho incidents being noted on tho spot at the time. Your children will bc glad to get a copy at any price. For sale at tho Phoenix, office. Messrs. Mason ? Jones aro the agents iu this city of tho Manhattan Life Insur? ance Company. There aro advantages claimed for lids company which arc worthy of consideration by those elesirous of providing a support for their families. Messrs. 51. A J. aro also agents of several Maryland and Virginia fire insurance companies. MILITARY ORDERS. -We learn that in? structions have been received by the mili? tary authorities at this post, to enforce, in all cases, the provisions of General Orders No. 44 from tho War Department, dated July 6, I?66. Those orders elirect, that in case civil authorities neglect te? causo thu arrest and bringing to trial offenders, tho military authorities s-diall arrest such offend? ers and retain them in custody, until tho civil officers are ready and willing to try them. It behooves the civil authorities, therefore, to bestir themselves, and put a stop to these outrages by promptly arrest? ing all parties implicated. It is essential to the peace and good order of society. Mr. Joseph T. Zealy has just erected a bijou of a store-, which, for neatwss and convenience, will rank with any in tho city. It was built under tho immediate supervi? sion of the proprietor, who, although out of the business for years, lias not yet for? gotten how to handle a plano, a chisel, or an auger. Mr. Zealy may bc termed cither thc "Phoenix" or tho "pioneer"' builder, as his was the first brick building erected after the burning of Columbia. The new store is to be occupied by 5Ir. James L. Clendining, model boot and shoe? maker, who, if he cannot fit you-lady or gentleman, child or freedman-from his shelves, will, in a short time, "mako a pair-' that is warranted to givo satisfac? tion. Drop in, as soon ho gets straighten? ed up, and givo him an ordc r. Tho placo is readily found-Assembly street, near tho new market. FIRE.-On Monday morning, about fif? teen minutes past 2 o'clock, a lire broke o-)t in tho stable and warehouse belonging to Messrs. Calnan & Kreudcr, which de? stroyed that building and the ono adja? cent, occupied by Mr. E. C. Plumer for gas titting purposes. The loss of Messrs. Cal? nan & Kreiielor was very severe, as i ha burn', building contained several bales of cotton, a fine horse, a quantity of furniture and provender. Earnest endeavors wero made io rescue the horse, but tho fire had made such headway before tho alarm was given, that it was found impossible to di) so. Mr. Plumer's losses will not exceed $209 Tho fire -was doubtless the work of in? cendiaries, and Messrs. Calnan & Ereuder have offered a reward of $100 for any infor? mation leading to their detection. , MES.??S. EDITORS: I desiro to call atten- < tion to the adjourned meeting of the citi? zens, which will take placo to-day, for the purpose of taking into consideration tho propriety of issuing city bills for tho pur? pose of rotleeming the present issue, and for other purposes. This is a matter whica affects the vital interests of the city, and it is to be hoped that thero will bo a full meeting. Ir is not my object to discuss tho matter hero, but I am satisfied that facts .will bo exhibited to tho citizens which it will bo their interest to know, and which will affect tho futuro interest of tho city. TAX-PAYER. LEGAR. -lu thc Court of Appeals, yea terday, opinions wero announced as fol? lows: Horatio Kuhn, for another, vs. J. McD. Law. Motion elismissed. Waretlaw, J. Haviland, Lindsloy & Co. vs. Victor Wolff. Motion dismissed. Wardlaw, J. Anton Menke ads. W. J. DeTreville. New trial granted. Inglis, J. James C. Meggett, Adm'r, vs. Samuel C Black, Adm'r. Dunkin, C. J. Decree re? versed. Charles L. Guilleaumo vs. C. C. Miller. Motion dismissed. Wardlaw, J. Charles Frederick vs. Lewis Halberstadt et ni. Motion elismisoed. Dunkin, C. J. Bank of the Stat o vs. S. Bobo. Motion dismissed. Inglis, J. James Bivings et al. ads. J. and T. Stobo Farrow, '".x'rs. Motion dismissed. Dnn kin, C. J. Wm. Jennings ads. The State. Molija dismissed. Dunkin, C. J. Israel Charles ads. J. D. Ashmore et al. Motion:; elismissed. Inglis, J. The argumen: of causes was then re? sumed, and tho following hoard: McCelvey vs. McCelvoy. Mr. Noble con eluded argument for appellant. Mr. Thoa. Thomson contra. Mr. Noblo in reply. P. H. Massey et al. ads. W. J. Curoton, (firstcase on Northern Circuit.) General Kershaw for appellants. Mr. G. W. Wil? liams contra. Obadiah Scorrath ads. The State. Mr. A. W. Thomson for motion. Solicitor Moi? ton contra. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. -Attention is call? ed to the following advertisements, which aro published this morning for the first time: H. D. Hanahan-Bacon, Flour. Ric.;. Meeting of Independent Fire Company. Calnan A- Kreuder-$100 Reward. Mason A Jones-Insurance. Ratrhelor's Hair Uve.