Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. Saturday Morning, February 2,1867. The Stute Currency. It is to bc deeply regretted that there was any just cause fur tho de? preciation of the bills receivable issued by the State, as it has lcd to serious inconvenience among ali classes of the community.. But there was a cause, and apparently a good one, ami it w as this, that some of thc members of the Legislature who au? thorized these issues refused to re? ceive them from the Treasurer foi their ray-bills, and drew from that officer all the greenbacks he held foi the purpose of redeeming theso bills, ss the wants of the mercantile com? munity might require such redemp? tion. This action of the originators of these bills was highly reprchensi ble; for, had they left the greenback! in the Treasury, they would "hav< answered all tuc purposes of tho tradi of the community, and there wonk have been no depreciation in thi: home currency, when all knew the; would be redeemed on presentation But the legislators have left th evil and inconvenience with the peo plc, and it is not our purpose to dis cuss the selfishness or want of pa triotism which imposed it upon them All we eau do is to make the best o it while it lasts. Every good citizen where it can be avoided, should ig nore airy arbitrary rate of discoun established by brokers. That dis count bears hard, first on the mer chant, who cannot lay in his supplie without greenbacks, or at a loss o ten per cent. ; second, upon contract ors and employers, who, in any worl for the State, at least, must take th State issues at par; third, upon thei employees, who have to buy thei supplies from tho retail merchant. In this way the depreciation-a present, ten per cent.-has beeom universal throughout the State. A the railroads-chartered corporation of the State-refuse the currency and, in self-defence, all classes no value it at only ninety cents on th dollar. As we have said, the onl amelioration of this deplorable stal of our home currency is for all t bear as equally as possible tho ves; tious inconvenience, and divide, i far as may be practicable, any lo: that in ay arise in circulating it amor our own people. It will be redeec able in a few months; until thou, L ns do our best to mitigate the evil v have to contend with. OtrrfAGEous LEGISLATION.-A bi has boen introduced in the New Yoi Senate excluding from thc exerei of suffrage all who may have symp thized with the South in the reco; struggle. It is designed a? a blow those from thelate Confederate Stat who arc now residents in New Yo and a part of it:s population, and ni at those of the Democratic party wi opposed the late war. These are eli racterized by the Washington Cht nicle as "the thousands of defeat rebels who now make that city copperhead stronghold and th? sympathizers." The substance of t bill is as follows: "It provides that every voter, 1 foro being qualified to vote, sh; make oath or affirmation that ho h never voluntarily borne arms again the United States since ho has beci citizen thereof; voluntarily given : aid, countenance, counsel or enco ragement to persons engaged armed hostility thereto; have neitb sought nor accepted, nor attempt to exercise the functions of any offs whatever under any authority in ht tility to the United States, or yield a voluntary support to any pretend Government, authority, power Constitution within the United Stal hostile or inimical thereto." ODD FELLOWS' THANKSGIVING.-; direction of the Most Worthy Ora Lodge of the United States, tho 2( of April, proximo, (which is tho an versary of tho establishment of t Order of Odd Fellows in this coi try,) .has b?cn selected by tho Mi Worthy Grand Sire of tho Ord Hon. J. P. Sanders, of New York, s. day of general thanksgiving, Odd Fellows, throughout tho Unil States, for the return of peace, pr peri ty and for the preservation of \ Order during tho rebellion j dosed. DEFEATED.-Tho Southern Cia Han Advocate states that tho propc tion to change tho name of the J thodist Episcopal Church South, the General Conference, has be defeated. Thc lay delegation pro sition stands a chance of sharing same fate. Th? Kxpecteu Coup d'Etat. Those who have sown the wind may reap the whirlwind much earlier than they expected. Among tho promi? nent Republican journals of the North is the New York Times, which has gone latterly as far in its hostili? ty to the South as any radical sheet in the country. At one time, it was . i ...i i.i-1~ veUn** !*?? nrl?tnr was receiving some evanescent eclat as thc author of tho address -of the Conservative Convention, hold at Philadelphia; but shortly afterwards, it changed its tone, aud became ono of the principal exponents of the ex? tremists, and a strong advocate of the Constitutional amendment. But again, it professes to couusel moderation, and either takes this course for a purpose of its own, or is becoming alarmed at tho rapid pro? gress the work of disorganizing the Government is making at Washing? ton. There are evident signs of tre pedition, which we extract from an article in the Times: "Few of us arc blind enough not to sec that there is now impending as a coup d'etat at Washington. It hangs over our heads at this very moment, and if wc do not set aside all party hopes and fears, or in fact all other party considerations, it will fall upon us as wc aro gazing upon it with stupid and inactive apprehen? sion." It then takes up thc dangerous, unconstitutional measures introduced by Boutwell and Williams, and strongly condemns them, and con? cludes its article as follows: "These things are dom; before ns; thc doom of our Government is on the brink of execution; and yet we are quiet! Will nothing arousi us? Are we as sluggish of apprehension now, on the one hand, as we were be? fore tho rebellion, on the other? Om Government is in peril now, as it was then; not of disintegration, but ol usurpation-the usurpation of abso lute power by temporary representa tives of the people of a part of thc country. "If the President is impeached anc suspended from office during his trial and the powers of the Supreme Court are defined by Congress, th? impending coup d'etat will have beer struck, and tho majority of an im perfect Congress will bo absolut? master of tho whole country, notonb now, but at any timo hereafter." There Ls something encouraging ii these strong appeals to tho people to hope and believe that they will b aroused to see their danger and thei duty before it be too late. They hav been misled by false political teach ers and guides-among whom may b classed the Times itself-and nothin? but prompt and vigorous retracal o their steps can avert tho impondin, calamity to the country. THE LABOR SUPPLY.-The follow ing remarks, from the New Yor Journal of Commerce, are worthy c consideration : "As a sequel to the efforts of seve ral Southern Legislatures to encon rage immigration from Europe, i hopes of obtaining a substitute fe negro labor, a report of the Stat Board of Immigration to the Legisk turo of Virginia, is deserving of nc tiee. This document says the effort made thus far are without praetier result, confirming the experience c other Southern States to similar er deavors. The failure in Virginia i attributed to the inferior quality c those laborers heretofore sent int I th?t Stato by agents aud speculator; the men being described as the 'r< fuse of emigrants,' unskilled in an kiud of employment. The report d< nies that the disappointment on th part of those who returned was fror want of suitable food, as has bee alleged, and ascribes it to their ow 'characteristic faithlessness and tot? want of moral principle.' As the be: class of emigrants arriving from EL ropo universally desire to oscar from the position of tenants and t become .proprietors of tho soil, tl: course for Virginia to pursno is < hold ont liberal inducements to se tiers to make purchases of arab; land. Tho great mistako has bee to indulge a hereditary prejudii against dividing and selling lande property, from fear of introducir an ^.....itu. xiosbiiO tu lOoui mstiCl tions; but since tho 'peculiar featur has been removed by the edict < emancipation, objections of this so aro groundless. Without an effort < special advantages in selling land thc Southern States can never con peto with tho fertilo West as a fie' for immigration." MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.-A ?1 spatch from Mississippi says: General Alcorn, United States S nator elect from Mississippi, has a dressed both branches of the Missi sippi Legislature, advising them 1 accept tho Constitutionalamendmei as the least of Congressional evils, unanimous vote rejecting it was tl response. -< -o -c- ? The first shad of the season a] peared in the Wilmington mark last Tuesday. Praying for Congres?. A writer in ono of the so-called re? ligious journals of Philadelphianrgos the people to continuo their prayers for thc Congress uow in session. This is all right-even pious Southerners, we have no doubt, pray for that err? ing body; but the encouragement given to :ts readers, by tho journal referred to to induce a continuation of their devotional exercises in be? half of tho radicals, sounds rather odd to those who have observed their course. The paper says: "The Congress of thc nation has beeu thc subject of tho prayers of God's people. As a Congress, they have been gradually attaining higher notions of tho true end of govern? ment, and of the nation's responsi? bility to thc Cod u' nations. They | arc more and more fooling and ac kuowdedgiug thc obligation of the Government to do justly and to love mercy. In all this, ( rod's gracious answers urge us to continue constant iu pi*ayer." "God's people" at the North must have a lai'ge stock of faith, and walk thereby, and not by sight, if they believe this writer. We may be ignorant of the "true religion" down here in the South, rind be unto those pious people of Philadelphia, as the heathen ; but wo aro certainly desti? tute of that kind of faith which would lead us to give our assent to thc conclusions set forth in the above paragraph. By their fruits ye shall know them, was the admonition from the Great Teacher, and by this unerring rule we utterly ?leny the as? sertions of this writer. "Higher notions of the true end of Government!" Thc notions they entertain all run in ono channel, a lust for power; the despoliation of an afflicted people by confiscation and taxation; their deprivation of any right as men or citizens, and in short the utter destruction of the existing Government. They would bring lire and sword throughout tho South again, if they had the power, and consign to perdition every mau with? in her limits who dared to oppose their destructive schemes! To talk of their doing justly and loving mercy, is worse than Satan quoting Scripture. Such hypocritical oant is almost too contemptible to notice, were it not an evidence of a degene? racy that must, in the end, prove fatal to ali the interests of society, social, moral and political. Gov Orai.-Tho Augustn Constitu? tionalist, in an article rebuking tho frecpient missions from the South to Washington, thus alludes to the presence of Gov. Orr at Washing? ton: Another champion has taken the field in the person of Gov. Orr, of South Carolina. He may bo the coming redeemer of tho South, but we have precious little, faith on that point. Gov. Orr presumably desires an honorab Je settlement of difficulties. The radicals are determined to have nothing of the kind. It strikes us then that the worthy Governor is making much ado over nothing. Sydney Smith once heard two wo? men quarreling, with a fence between them. "How shall lucy agree," said the wit, "they arguei rom differ? ent premises." And so, Southern gentlemen may whisper meek sup? plication between tho crevices of the national fence forever, and yet do no possible good. They can stir up a considerable amouut of ridicule at the North and get caricatured in the filthy picture papers. But such en? counters are rather to ba avoided than otherwise Shylock is not to bo cheated out of his pound of flesh by the notes of a wood-pigeon. If the rapacious North aro determined to have their pound of flesh, let thom come and take it. The chances are that wo will get off with a whole skin. But, to go to the executioner and lend him a scalpel for tho dissection -that wero a leprous mortification. John Quincy Adams, son of tho pre? sent Minister to England, and one of those incredible contrasts which Bos? ton occasionally reproduces for the as? tonishment of mankind-John Quincy Adams recently mado a glorious speech upon tho issues of tho day. Coming to a discussion of. tho Con? stitutional Amendment, ho said: "I am glad tho Southern States rejected it and refused to dishonor their leaders, dead and alive. I would havo despised them had they acted differently." Wo would rather have the good opinion of Mr. Adams and men of his stamp, than the snaky patronage of tho radical host. This constant succession of pilgrimage to Washington is eminently contribu? tivo of a loss of respect, and may well make sturdy defenders of our faith waver in tho problem ns to whether we aro worth saving or not. The Laurensvillo Herald says that a j little son of Mr. P. D. Elliott, of that j village, was seriously wounded by a ; ball from a pistol, with which some j children were playing. Parents should j be particular and keep such, danger-1 ons playthings-out of the way. I Congressional Scurrility. The New York Sun has the follow? ing deserved rebuke of the scurrility of the members of Congress used almost every day in debate. But the Sun seems not to notice that all the scurrilous language is nearly all the product of radical spouters. Thc Sun says : The low standard ol gentility which prevails in Congress is a sourco of mortification to every sensitive Ame? rican. Instead of that decorum and dignity that ought to characterize the official representatives of the nation, we too often lind conduct that would he considered disgraceful in less pre- , tentions bodies. Last week, for ex? ample, there were two instances in which members gave the lie direct to opponents in debato. Theso cases are exceptional, so far as the manner of tho offence is concerned, but in nearly every day's proceedings of Congress language may be found which is far from courteous and often ungentlemanly. Such conduct is highly reprehensible, and is calcu? lated to bring tho character of the nation into disrepute abroad. When the representatives of thc people use scurrility for argument, and employ the language of thc bar-room in the discussion of grave questions, we can? not complain if foreign observer.-: place a low estimate upon the gen? tility of the people. All nations aro judged, to a grout extent, by their official representa? tives, and with members of Congress, who call ono another liars, or who indulge in vulgar colloquies, or who are given to thrashing brother mem? bers with canes, it is not strange that wo should get an unenviable reputa? tion among foreign people. This complaint is not a new one. The in? dignity of Congress has been a sub? ject of remark for a long time, and we are not prepared to say that there is any more causo for fault-finding at the present timo than there has been for many years past. Our chief ground of complaint is, that Con? gress makes no perceptible improve? ment in this respect. While the na? tion is rapidly going forward in enlightenment, and attaining a high position in tho world, the same faults that were charged against Congress years ago still remain. For tho sake of the country's good name abroad, if for nothing oise, let us have a re? form in Congress. That body ought to commence tho work of reconstruc? tion by reconstructing itself. It ought to be controlled by a code of rules so stringent that no member would dare to disobey them. By this means, Congress might bo so far re? formed that an. American, when in Europe, would not bo ashamed to read the Congressional proceedings in a public place. "Stirring Them Up. The New York Express is trying to wake np the democracy and con? servatives of that city to the import? ance of their duty at this crisis. It says: Wo arc now, in the United States, in greater peril of convulsions than we were before the civil war of I860 -which, as everybody will recollect, almost everybody deemed an impos? sibility. Tho currency of tho coun? try, now, is drunk, aud the trade is in a state of intoxication. The de? lirium tremens is passing over, and sobriety is coming. But this is a mere money matter, like tariff or re? venue, and therefore, of comparitive ly but little account. What, however, is most serious and alarmingly solemn, is the programme to oust an existing branch of the Government, the Executive, and to force in a Se? nator from some State in its place- - for, if this succeeds now, without convulsion, it deprives the Govern? ment of all sanction, and leaves all Executives at tho mercy of a party in Congress. This programme, as alarm? ing as if the Queen of England should be thus forcibly changed, or as if a revolution was taking place in a dy? nasty, thus unsettling all futuro stability of Government, is to be fol? lowed up by tho emasculation of the Supremo Court of the United States, tho very anchor and rudder of the Government-the High Court of Appeals, which, next to God, alono can settle humau opinions and human passions hero on earth. All parties, heretofore, all dynasties, have respected this great tribunal. Even such great men as Jefferson and Jackson yielded to it, when Presi? dents. But now, we see in such bills as Boutwell's and Williams', acts to cripple, if not to destroy this, tho greatest of all human tribunals the only bar, under our Constitution, between conflicting opinions aad t resort to arms. Tua THRRiToni.vLizrNG SOTIEME GONE TO TUE WAT.L.-We have never had any moro belief in tho success of tho destructivo element in Congress with their territorial scheme for sum? marily and utterly plundering and subjugating the people of tho South, than wo have had that there was a "ghost of a chance" for tho success of that most remarkable suggestion of profligacy and folly, the impeach? ment of tho President. There is a Limit to tho tyrannic sway of such cruel and revengeful loaders as Thad? deus Stevens, with all his ability and art, and the people stand behind all, who, " upon tho sober second thought," have been said to be "never wrong and always efficient.'' J Nal tonal Intelligence}'. Hoir They Talk of Impeachment nt Washington-"What thc President trill Do. Tho Washington correspondent of Baltimore Gazelle says: So conclusive aro the indications that the President is to be subjected ? to impeachment and trial, that con? versation in this city upon the sub- j ject is confined exclusively to specu? lation as to details and results. Cer? tain leadingradicals contend that upon impeachment by tho House, he would be liable to immediate arrest, and if entitled to bail, in the interim the office of President would necessarily become vacant in fact, and liable to be lilied by thc presiding officer of tho Senate. Others of tl e same party, hypocritically deferring to the Constitutional provision upon the point, admit that, inasmuch as the utmost punishment that can bc in? flicted upon conviction is the do privation of the office ho fills and disqualification from holding others, a legal necessity for his appearance, except by attorney, does not exist, and, therefore, his arrest would bo unlawful. Still another set, (adopt? ing the theory of tho New York Tribune,) while not doubting the power of the Houso to send its Sergeant-at-Arras to bring thc Presi? dent before its bar, entertain some scruples whether Andrew Johnson would permit himself to be dragged by the collar through Pennsylvania avenue, at the bidding of a set of mon who are themselves "hanging upon the verge of the Government." ll must bo confessed that this theory has some plausibility, although I suppose such conduct on his part would render him liable to tue charge of "disloyalty" by such patriots us Forney, Kelley and Ash? ley. The class of. "inquirers after truth," who propose to try him with? out the preliminary arrest, console their brother radicals of adverse views with the assurance that their plan, while it is tho safest, is like? wise thc surest, and if not quite sr expeditious, will bo sn?icientlj rapid, as the Senate has already pre judged the case, as thc Chief Justice will interpose no dilatory obstacles, and as everything, in short, wiil bt conducted with railroad speed. 'fliest calculations are,^ to be sure, ven satisfactory upon paper, orin couver sation, when uttered to the quiescent But did it never enter into the imagi nation of these dreamers that the Exe cutive, while freely according tin I power of thc Senate to try an; official and convict him if fount guilty of any really impeachabl offence, would certainly demur t being made the hero of a veritabl farce, and be robbed of his office fo tho mere gratification of a set o political quacks-to be made th laughing stock of the world merci, that Ben. Wade should lord it ove a country of which he scarcely know tho boundaries, much less anythin of its interests or true policy? understand Mr. Johnson decidedl objects to the whole proceeding-wi assuredly "veto" it with tinmistal* able emphasis, and in a manner th: even a two-thirds vote will bo power less to "carry it over his head." Poon TENNESSEE.-An inf arnot measure-Brownlow's militia, .bill has passed the lower house of tl Tennessee Legislature. Speaking < it, the Nashville Union and Dispnti says : During the debate, a radical men ber disclosed the object of tho me; sure in one brief and brutal sentenc He said, "there had not been blo< enough shed." With legislators wi vote under tho stimulus of such pa ?ions, argument is fruitless, and cor: mont upon tho proceeding unnece sary. Should it become the law, tl history of its execution will be a di i grace to tue civilization of tho ag and will furnish tales of horror which humanity will weep. Clave house and his troopers will have con again. Into ever^ neighborhot will bo sent an armed body, to e force as law every licenso that mi suggest itself in the namo of "lo alty." Amid such arms, law will n ! bo silent simply-it will bo dead. I ministers will bo fortunato if th do not share the same fate. Tho a thors of this measure assume that t civil law and its officers aro incomp tent. Its executors will charge th they aro wilfully HO, and act accor ingly. Tho seats of public justi will be overthrown. Thc sanctuari of private right aro to bo invade Whero strife and contention now : it is to be made to rage with increas fur}-. Where pcaco and order pi vails, discord and tumult are to ta their placo. In a word, the effect this measuro will convert Tenness into a Pandemonium. -? -?-?-? KANSAS.-A despatch from Top el of tho 2?th ult., says: Petitions are coming in from parts of tho State, asking that t word white bo stricken oirt of t Constitution. A joint resolution that effect will undoubtedly bo pa ed. Tho matter lias already be discussed, and it is said that mr than two-thirds of tho Legislatt favor negro suffrage. A bill has been introduced in t Houso to pay claims arising out Cen. Price's raid during the war. The House defeated the resol ut i asking Congress to give lands to i tablish a freedmen's university, the ground that they had access the common schools and all tho St; universities. We arc indebted lu Mr. T. M. Pollock for a waitor of "genuine mill-ponds," on tho shell. They were "pl ump and juicy. OCR READING ROOM.-Our friends aro invited to visit the Piuenix reading room, where they will find on lile papers aud periodicals from every section of the Union. The building is open day and night. bivi; CENTS.-The price of single copies of the Phoenix ia five ce ul.*, and purchasers are requested to pay no moro for thom -as fm y are furnished to tho news-boys at a rate suflic iently low to warr;1 nt tlu ir being sold at thai juice. An exchange advises people to gui up before 7 o'clock in the morning, and "soe Vrnus, the beautiful morning star." A newly married man requests U-J to s?y that he can "sec Venus without tho trou? ble of ribing at that unseemly hour." Two new post . :es have been oponed (or rather old ones re-openedj in Fairfield District, viz: Monticello, Mrs. l>r. Peak, P. M., and Long bun. Mrs. A. F. Smith, P. M. Mails twice a week Wednesday and Saturday. THE PANORAMA.-Those persons who wort; prevent od by tho inclement weather, last evening, from visiting JanncyV Hall, can have au opportunity of doing so this afternoon and to-night. Parents w ll enjoy it all the more, if they will take tin ir little om s along. The scenes arc attractive .iud thc lecture very interesting. HISTORICAL.-The future historian will bo anxious to glean the tnt at correct in? formation concerning thedcaolat Lng march of Sherman; and especially will he look for a truthful record of tho suck and de? struction of Columbia. Tho only into and full statement of the terrible everts of the night of the 17th February, 1865, will be found in the pamphlet issued from this office. GOOD Jon. Wo noticed, yesterday, a number of freedmen laboriously cutting away those ugly memorials of Sherman's visit -thc charred and blackened trunks of our onco beautiful shade trees. Wo pre? sume they arc employed by th" City Coun? cil, mid we like thc job for two reasons-it removes unsightly objects from our public streets, and it will furnish a large quantity of wood for thc poor of tho city. COLUMBIA YOUNO LADir.s.--Mr. Davidson, tie Columbia correspondent of tho York villc Enquirer, says that two young ladies < '"our city have recently, in passing from otic point in tho country to another in or? dinary travel, walked in ono day fourteen miles, and did so from choice. They have been delicately reared, ami are accustomed to th?; ease and indo'ence of city lifo. Iso fatigue or exhaustion followed, but tho parties found themselves "brisk, gay and famous" next morning, and have already on hand a similar feat within a few weeks, and also a protracted pedestrian tour among tho Blue Ridge Mountains thia summer, to extend through one or two months. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. - Attention is call? ed to the following advertisements, which are published thia morning for tho first time: 1. Suh'.baehor - Watches, Clocks, ?rc. .Tanney's Hall -Matinee This Afternoon. -< # ? ? GEN. GRANT.-A despatch to the Herald gives the following concerning tho position of Gen. Grant: Gen. Grant was to-day on the floor of the House, in conversation with Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In con? versation with some of tho radical members, he stated, with reference to the subject of his going to tho Paris Exposition, that "ho would not be found ten hours away from this city for a year to come." He spoke of the President's late trip as a mistake, and said, in substance, that no man, however distinguished or venerated, could depart from the right track and carry the poople with him. In reply to one of the members that he (Gen. Grant) would be dropped quicker than a hot potato by the people if he should deviate from tho right track, he said, "I do not doubt it." Members speak of his conversation as unequivocally in favor of tho Con? gressional policy. He favored ths confirmation of Gen. Dix, as he was less objectionable than tho next no? minee would be, who would bo a mi? litary man, and that tho Senate would be forced into tho position of appear? ing unfriendly to soldiers' interests. He said that Gen. Dix was not wholly averse to Congress. Gen. GranVoo cupied the seat of Mr. Boutwell, of Massachusetts, and for somo tim? was engaged in conversation with Mr. Hooper, of thc same State. Tho re? port that a bill was to be introduced to-day providing that he should be appointed acting President in case of the impeachment aud removal of th? President, and the revival of Mr. Kelso's resolution, declaring that th? impeachment and removal of th? President wcro necessary, are sup? posed to be among the reasons why he was present. These may also ac? count for the fact that not a singlo Democratic member was soon to pay his respects to him. --, O 4 CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH RAIL ROAD.-The Charleston and Savannah Railroad, sold some tim.1 since, under foreclosure of mortgage, was yester? day delivered to the purchasers, who have obtained a most liberal charter, nndor the style of the Savannah and Charleston Railroad, and, wc aro in? formed, will immediately commence tho work of rebuilding the road. [Charleston Courier