University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBIA. ^Tuesday Morning, April 23,1867. A Practical View of the Sltuatlcm. At the timo when political issues overshadowed every other considera? tion of importance among tho Southe ern people, it was natural for them to turn to thoso who had been their tried aud trusted leaders for over a quarter of a century, for counsel and , instruction in tho several emergen? cies which kept constantly arising from what they deemed unfriendly and sectional legislation. And these leaders found eager and willing lis? teners when they discoursed upon the wrongs which this or that party -at the North-had inflicted, or would assuredly inflict, upon them. In this way, sectional animosity was engendered and kept alive, until it burst out into a flame which, spread? ing and igniting the passions, already at fever heat, of the. people of both sections, until at last hostilities, in tho shape of an appeal to arms, fol . lowed, as naturally as at all times ef? fect follows cause. There was too Utile calm discussion of great princi? ples, abd too much of that political haranguing, which acts not upon the .cool judgment of thoso who listen to it, but upon their passions and pre? judices, under the influence of which they are carried away and precipi? tated into action which that cool judg? ment and common sense would con? demn. Wo say> without hesitation, that it was this line of policy, no doubt ear? nestly and honestly, but very erro? neously, pursued hy the majority ol the Southern political leaders, which educated tho peoplo up to the belie) that no other resort was left to then: but that of arms, to preserve theil rights and liberties as free and equa citizens of th e great republio of th( United Stated of America. Wo re peat, we say this without hesitation for we were among the enthusiastic listeners to the species of politica haranguing alluded to, and thii "firing tho Southern heart" found ir us, as it did in hundreds of thousand! throughout tho South, tho ripe ma terial to receive promptly, enthu siastically, and without reflection its inflammatory aud "so-called" rm triotic appeals. But wo were no among those whom these fier}' ' ap peals deprived of common sense, au( substituted therefor tho very vail delusion that "a world iii arms" couh not whip such a gallant, such a high toned and chivalrous peoplo as thosi of tho South. Nor were we arnon{ those who shared that very vaiu-glo rious but stupid delusion, that th very announcement of our deterini nation to take up and defend "th cause," vi ct armis, would frighte: those who were deemed aggressors o: our political rights aud libcrtief Nor, based upon this senseless delu sion, did we, while listening to th mpster-pieces of patriotic eloqnenc from these fiery orators, acquire c share in, symbollically speaking, th peculiar propensity attributed to th fabulous vampyre-that of drinkin all tho blood which should bo shci in consequence of the revolt of til Southern States against the Genen Government. No; wo knew tha whether deluded themselves or no these champions--on tho stump c forum, so-called-wcro deluding ( deceiving tho people, who were t bear tho brunt of the coming conflic nnd whoso latent patriotism was fin up to tho point which made the eager for tho fray. We all knoi alas! too feelingly and too painfull; tho result of these misguided-rj though, wo have no doubt, honest conceived-appeals from those wi assumed the leadership of the peopl on entering upon what all deemed just and noble struggle for thc rights nuder the Constitution. And now wo como to tho point, olucidnto which this article is chic! written, and to press a calm considt atiou of it, in all its bearings, upi the minds of our rcadors througho tho State. It is this: that they 1 tenod too eagerly, and followed t credulously, but promptly and ii plicitly, tho counsels of mero poli cians-of men who had never buckl on a sword, or borne a musket on a field, except tito militia muster-fiel as ono of the numerous members thoso gaudy corps of aids-de-camp nearly tho only appointments wit! their gift-which tho successive C vornors and Commanders-in-chiofs tho Stnto of South Carolina eu: moned around tb*ta immediately after their respective elections the coun? sels of men who never expected or intended to take up arma, especially inthrahape of shouldering a mus? ket, in defence of those rights,they so glibly and patriotically declaimed about. But the war inaugurated under tho inspiration and influence of this old-field stump eloquence did fully arouse the manhood-aye, "the chi? valry," if you please-of the South, and evoked from the private walka of life a host of real heroes, of whom any nation or country might justly be proud. But we are now, after more than six years have passed away since the initiation of that terrible conflict, into which we were precipitated by our political leaders, eating tho bitter fruits of our temerity and over-ex? cited patriotism. We imagined we were listening to the voice and coun? sel of sages and statesmen, whereas we wero simply bewildered by the untamed eloquence of newly-fledged politicians. True, there were many engaged in this work who were ear? nest and sincero'in their convictions of duty, and Who -gave tho highest evidence of honesty that men can give? in laying down their lives for the cause they had espoused; hut that tho large majority of those who were loudest in their denunciations of their political opponents at tho North, and of those who responded most voci? ferously to their appeals, shrunk froth the conflict, is "too well known to the people of South Carolina to require .additional confirmation ; and we ap? peal to the good sense of that people, to-day, and ask if the record of the post six years does not justify every sentence wo have written," Like them, our political opinions and convictions may remain unchanged, but like them, as' we are bound to bolicve, wc realise the terrible mistake that was made in the mode addptcd for sus? taining them. But, notwithstanding nil wo haVc written, our object and purpose musl not be misunderstood by our readers, It is not to cavil at or consure tin errors of the past, but to eudeavor tc aid them in profiting by tho lessor these errors surely teach; and th< lesson is this, that our future destinia as a people should never again be left /< the direction or control of mere politi ciaris. They may make light of, am even sneer-at, the opinions of "mci( soldiers" on tho present situation o our political affairs; but if ever then were men competent to givo couusc to the people, after such *au expe rieuco as that of the last six years they aro those to whom these politi cal issues were entrusted, to defen< and maintain, at the point of th bayonet and mouth of the cannon through four years of blood}- strife and the success of whose operation on the field of battle were too ofte: thwarted or defeated by the politi cians at home. It is tho advice of sue men ns Lee, Beauregard, Hampto and Longstreet that the Southern pee pie should listen to and act upon, an uot that of broken-down politician who have been shelved, and who fe< that their influence is passing away. It is to the opinions and couusol of one of our tried and trusted lea( ors in the field-oue whom thousand of Cai'oliuiaus delight to honor General James Longstreet-that \\ bow desire particularly to call attei tion. . In a second letter, which L has recently written on the prospect of our political futuro and our duti< at this crisis, he uses the blunt lat guage of a soldier. He says: "Tho surrender of the Conf?d?ral armies iu 1SG5 involved: "1. The surrender of the claim to tl right of secession. "2. Tho surrender of the fornn political relations of the negro. "3. The surrender of the Southe) Confederacy. "These issues expired upon tl fields last occupied by the Confod rato armies. Thero they should hai boon buried. Tho soldier prefers I have the sod that receives him whe? lm falls, cover his remains. Tho poli! cal questions of tho war should ha1 l#eu buried upon tho fields th marked their end. Our most ch rished objects of this earth, blood our blood, life of our life, if not du dcxiosited as ordained by an all-wi Providence, become offonsivo. ?. must it bo with this dead matter, the last funeral rites of tho Southe] Confederacy have not been pe formed, let us, with duo solemuit proceed < o tho dischargo of that pai ful duty, and let us deposit in tl same grave the agony of our grit that wo may tho better prepare ou selves for a return to the duties this lifo." And again he says: "It may be well to remark that o efforts at reconstruction will be vain, unless we embark in the enterprise with tho sincerity of purpose which will com ni rind success. Great deeds are not accomplished by the cold sup? port of indifferent approval; they must be built of ?sterner stuff.* We must apply ourselves with diligence, and with united resolution, if we hope to lift the darkness that threat? ens onr future, and secure a comfort? able issue from the .difficulties that surround us.". Those aro words of wisdom, as are those in the following paragraph: "It is now too late to go back to look aft?r oar rights under the law and the Constitution. It is of no practical importance for us to know whether we have been deprived of ?these tights by lawful or unlawful processes. We know that they are gone, and that the only available law is martial law, and the only right, power. Tho more we ask for law, when there is no law, the greater will be our confusion. Law, at best, is a slow process by which to recover lost possessions; to attempt to recover them under doubtful laws aud against power, is futile." This applies very pertinently to the | efforts now being made before the Supreme Court to recover "our rights under the law aud the Consti? tution." Tho postponement of the argument on the motion of the State of Georgia to file a bill of injunction against the enforcement of the mili? tary law, until next December, is a striking evidence of tho correctness of Gen. Longstreet's opinion ou ibis poinjX What he believes the duty of ; the Southern people to be at this crisis, is pithily given in the follow? ing paragraph : "Our duty resolves itself into two very simple propositions, viz-Relieve ourselves from our present embar? rassments by returning to our alle S'ance, in good faith, to tho General overnment under tho process laid down by Congress, or seek protection under some foreign Government. Those who determine to remain should speed the work of reconstruc? tion, and put our people in condition to make their own laws and choose their own officers for their execu? tion." With this piece of excellent ad? vice, we conclude our quotations from tho General's lotter, and leave tho subject with our readers. We give it prominence because we be? lieve efforts ore being made in differ? ent parts of the Stato to seduce the people into the policy of non-action with regard to tho laws of Congress a policy which, while it will open up ?*"? political discussion among us, give scope ami opportunity for t. renewed efforts of those who fol? low politics as a trade, will most assuredly loso us forever tho oppor? tunity to direct and control the affairs of our State Government. Let the people reflect and decide. Governor JcnKlivs. Thc editor of the Augusta Chro? nicle and SentineThua had au interview with Govarnor Jenkins, who has just returned from Washington. The editor says: In regard to the situation at the Federal Capital, and especially as to tho probable result of tho appli? cation, recently mado by the State of Georgia, for a writ of injunction, agniust the military officers who aro about enforcing tho Sherman bill in our State, wc foi ad tho Governor not without hope that the Supreme Court would grant the prayer of the bill. The question of the jurisdiction seemed to bo admitted in tho grant? ing of the order for a subpoena, and it was thought by our friends in Washington that tho Court would, at tho hearing of tho bill on Friday next, prrant the injunction Pendente Ute. Even thc temporary injunction to restrain until tho answer of the defendants are regularly filed and a fnll hearing had upon tho merits of tho great questions raised by the bill, would protect us against the en? forcement of tho military bill for a year at least. In tho meantime, there will doubt? less bo such chango of public senti? ment at the North against the radi? cals as may deter them from the passage of any further acts of ojipres sion toward thc South. If, howover, tho Court should decide against the application for injunction, we will have tho consolation of knowing that our Chief ' Executive has availed himself of all the legd f-teps known to our laws to provont tho consum? mation of tliis destructive and op? pressive legislation, and, wo must then cast about for such other reme? dies or facilities as may be found in tho military bill itself. Wo learned from tho Governor, that since his arrival at Atlanta he had had quito a satisfactory inter? view with General Pope, and that ho hoped thero would be found no cause for disngrenment betweon them. Tho General appeared anxious to interfere as little as possiblo with the civil government o? tho State, and would interpose no obstacle to tho enforcement of tho laws-so long as they wcro faithfully and impartially executed. Reconstruction-Somewhat Alnrmcd> The Boston Advertiser-tin organ' of the party, now in power-speaking of the proposition of some crazy fa? natics, that Congress should "recon? struct Maryland," scouts tho idea and says: "If wo permit this, we shall have Congress reconstructing tho Northern-States next." Wo notice, also, that a Mr. Lunt, of "Boston, in an able letter recently published, clearly foresees that the inevitable re? sult of exclusive legislation against a par? of the country must be to the detrimeut of the whole, fie says* '. ''Tho effect of a military adminis? tration at the South is ovulent. Such a government will repress its awaken? ing, effectually cripple tho poor ro? mains of its means, return again un? productive into tho soil the sprouting seeds of ..expected prosperity. The effect of such a state of things upon the business affLirs of the country at largo is no lesa evident. Tho trade of tho North flourished during the War, in consequence of the de? mands -which tho war itself created. Tho cessation of those demands is que chic! reason of the present stag? nation. But how long will tho pro? ducers of the West, who once enjoyed so lucrativo a field of enterprise at the South, bo content to seo it lio fallow? How long will the manufac? turers of the Eust and of tho Middle States be satisfied with Bitch an inter? ruption of trude, instead of their former remunerative market, through? out a once most flourishing and bounteous portion of tho land? -How long will tho merchants along our grand line of maritime coast, whose ships? now for years laid up to rot, or sold into foreign lands, once bore thc immense products of the South across the ocean, and brought back golden proceeds in return, be willing to sub? mit to a 'policy' which locks np - and dooms us to comparative impoverish meut and emptiness, with the mean; of abundance all around us; .whicl: shuts up tho breathing pores of tht body politic, and cuts off tho verj supplies of life? * * * Military government in one part o the country means, necessarily, prac tical despotism throughout the whoh of it. To carry the system inti effect, and to keep it in workinj order, intimidation, force and tin most hateful outrages upou privat* liberty may at length be deemed' 'no ces8ary.' Such, in my opinion, an tho natural and unavoidable couse quencos of tho Congressional policy.' EUREKA.!-Laus Deo, tho divinity which we thought had deserted th South for a long, long time to come has turned up-where do you think reader? In Orangeburg, in this State A notice in the News, of that tb ri vin. village, reads thus: "Tho Goddes of Liberty cnn he seen, for a fe^ days, at the old post office. " W breathe freely again, and foci cor soled that the goddess is still beret bouts-aye, oven on the track of th "grand mardi." We hope the goo people of Orange-burg will take pai ticular care of the old lady, and nc let tho red oap of Republicanism I substituted for her ancient but chi rished head-gear. THE OS'i/r SAFE COURSE.-Ex-Go' Joseph E. Browu, of Georgia, i reply to an invitation to address tl citizens of Savannah, in hie pepi; says: "It is hard to over-estimate tl magnitude and importauce of tl issue of action or non-action soon I be determined by tho people of Geo gia. If a majority . should vo against a convention and refuse accept tho tot ms prescribed by Co: gr ess, no ouo can tell tho extent tho misfortunes and miseries that w follow. Tho only safo course left 1 is to reconstruct tho State G over ment in accordance with tho Acts Congress, and return to thc Uniou soon as possible." ----<-?.?*. They aro haying a ' 'temperance i vival" in Newberry, aud meetings a held frequently, at which numbers the first citizens are present. Tl following are tho officers of tho Nc berry Total Abstinence Society: ] H. Kinard, President; J. R. Leave vice-President; M. W. Bythowoo Secretary; Thos. S. Moorman, Trc surer. -.-.>?->-; GEN. MCCAUSLAND.-It will bc gi tifying to thc numerous friends Gen. Mccausland, says tho Fincas! Herald, to learn that he is residing his homo in Mason County, Wi Virginia, secure, it is to bo hope from the malice of his foes. Ho L been favored by Gen. Grant with letter which exempts him from ai danger of imprisonment or trial ? tho Cbambersburg affair, and ho fa every assurance of protection frc tho authorities of tho Stato of Wi Virginia. Tho kind offices of Jud Nat. Harrison wero strenuously ( erteil in his favor, and had great i lluenee in bringing about this des ablo result. AN IIUSU COLONY.-Minor Sc G of Fredericksburg, Va., havo receiv an application for lands upon vhi to found an Irish colony-say 01 2,C persons. IN JAIL..-James Clav Pott?, who robbed tho ^Southern Exjpress Com? pany, on the Mobile and uhio Rail? road, On the 16th bf last month, of about f20,000, reached this city yes? terday, in charge Of Sheriff Bell and special officers of the Express Com ?any, and after a hearing before [squire Donnell, was finally commit? ted for trial, in default of $50,000. bail. The well-organized detective system of tho Express Company was demonstrated in this case in the fact that, but a few hours after the rob? bery was committed, its various agencies throughout the entire coun? try were, apprised by telegraph, and, shortly after, furnished with photo? graphs and printed descriptions of the thief. Potts was tracked from this State throughout the Western and Eastern States, and finally arrested near Bal? timore, with a portion of the money on his person. In answer to a requi? sition from .Gov. Humphreys, tho Executive of Maryland promptly sur? rendered the prisoner to the custody of tho Express officers. Since reach? ing this State, the officers have suc? ceeded in recovering tho remainder of the stolen money. [Columbus{Miss.J Judex, 16/Zt. -?~-r>-!- * NEGOTIATIONS FOR BRITISH AME? RICA.-A rumor is current that nego? tiations are in progress for the pur chaso of British America, including Vancouver Island, and that tho only difficulty that appears to stop tho fund consummation of tho bargain seems to bo that Mr. Seward insists upon turning in thc Alabama claims as part payment of tho purchase, to which Lora Stanley, tho English Sec? retary of the C ^lonies, demurs. Hon. T. C. Weatherly hns been summoned to appear before thc Judi? ciary Committee, in Woshington, on the first Mouday in- May ne.vt, as a witness. It is surmised that ho is to be ques?ioned as to his visit to Wash? ington during the winter, and tho conversation reported iu tho papers, at the time, to have taken placo be? tween him and President Johnson. . ' [JJennellscille J?ia'nal. The ' ' jncord Statesman says that a Bostoii ann" recently sent to a friend ip Manchester, N. H., a pair of Bra? mah fowls, colored a beautiful crim? son, and they were passed off by tliot^ iu the secret ns just imported, at great expense, from Japan. The beautiful birds caused, a sensation among poultry breeders, and their eggs sola at fabulous prices-it is said as high as $4 an egg. . STEALING RY SYSTEM.-Recently, there was discovered and broken up, at Norwalk, Conn., a society that was formed for the purpose of carrying out, systematically, the business of stealing and secreting and selling tho stolen goods. Tho society was regu? larly organized, with president, secre? tary and treasurer, and was composed mainly of clerks in all branches of trade. The Massachusetts State constables in their search after whiskey some? times catch something else. On Tuesday last, for instance, two of them in Springfield found the air uncommonly thick with bricks and stones, while a burly fellow walked up to ono of them and laid him senseless on the walk, and ho still lies in a critical condition. Gen. John Pope intends to make Atlanta, Georgia, his headquarters for.the summer. A Southern news? paper describes him as a mau of "in? telligence, rt finement and cultiva? tion, apparently forty-five years old, And weighing from 1(30 to 170 pounds, who expresses surprise at tho short? sightedness of the South in not seek? ing to conciliate Congress." Tire CASE OF MR. DAVIS.-Attor? ney-General Stanbery is said to have recently remarked to thc District Attorney of Virginia that Jeff. Davis must be disposed of during the com? ing term of tho Circuit Court of tho United States, which meets at Rich? mond on tho first Monday in May. [ Washington Chronicle, COLORED MEM VOTE FOR AN EX CONFEDEHATE OFFICER IN PREFER? ENCE TO A RADIO An.-At tho municipal election in Tuscumbia, Ala., on the 1st instant, Major Sloss received four fifths of the Colored votes for Mayor, against tho radical candidato, who was a Bureau agent. Major Sloss was elected. HEAVY BANK ROBBERY.-A de? spatch was received, yesterday, at tho headquarters of the police de? partment, stating that tho National Bank, at Selma, Alabama, had been robbed of 8100,000, and asking that a sharp lookout be kept for suspi? cious characters. [Atlanta Intelligencer, 11th. . THE AMERICAN COLONY IN JAFFA. Thc Maine colonists in Jaffa, accord? ing to a letter from James P. San? ford, who visited them in March, aro building houses and cultivating 300 acres of land. Tho colony numbers KiO persons, and four adults and seven children havo died since their arrival. Food is abundant. FIRE IN YORKYILLF.. -On Sunday morning last, about 2 o'clock, a iiro broke out in tho meat-houso of Dr. James B. Allison, which was soon communicated to tho bakery of Mr. J. U. Z?rcher. Both buildings, with their contents, wore entirely con? sumed. Capt. Anderson, of tho Great East? ern steamship, was at one timo a type-setter on a Scottish newspaper. Jjooal Items. CORRECTION.-We have received tho following correction from the As? sociated Press" Agent, dated New York, April 22: "In the cabio despatch of the 20th, the receipts of cotton were stated at 284,000 bales ahead of samo time last ?ear; thia was nu error-it should ave been 28-1,000 bales less than last year."_ Snow POSTERS, HANDBILLS, &C. Our supply of typo and facilities of press-work enable us to turu out from the Phoenix office tho most attractive styles of posters, hand-bills, ?fcc., at short notice, and in tho most satis? factory manner. Wnr>Dn> NOT SOME ONE INVEST? In the Georgia State lottery for the benefit of tho Masonic Orphan's Home, we observo by tho Atlanta Intelligencer, that the capital prize of 850,000, No. 21,648, was returned to tho ohief office at Atlanta by W. T. Walter, Esq., agent in this city. We are sorry we did not invest iu that lucky dumber at least. " There will be another chance, however, the next drawing taking place on the 15th of May. _^_ CARDS! CARDS!-Show cards, busi? ness cards, visiting aud wedding cards, executed at the Phoenix Job Office, in the neatest styles of the art Cards of "all sizes constantly on hand, and all orders from town or country promptly attended to. LEGAL.-In tho Court, of Appeals, on yesterday, opinions were an? nounced in the following cases : John Jenkins, convicted of mur? der at Charleston, ads. tho State. Opinion delivered by Inglis, J. New trial refused. Sentenced by Inglis, J., to bo hanged June 14. John S. Biggs, ads. Lawrence J. ' Witsell. Opinion delivered by Ward law, J. NBW trial granted. The North-eastern Railroad Com? pany, ads. Caroline Porcher. Opi? nion by the Chief Justice. Motion for new trial dismissed. I The Charleston docket being die I posed of, the Northern Circuit, next ! in order, was called. Tho brief in the case of G. B. I Lamar, et wc, vs. the Executors of N. A. Peay, was read by Messrs. Bion Sc McCants, .solicitors for tho execu? tors, appellants, until tho hour ' of adjournment. CIRCULARS! CIRCULARS!-Commer? cial aud other circulars, in tho various forms-note, letter aud commercial post-neatly printed iu our Job Office, and all work of this descrip? tion finished in the best style of print? ing, and at moderate prices. Tho McDonald's, or the Ashes of Southern Homes. A Tale of Sher? man's March. By William Heury Peck, of Georgia. Wo have received from tho Metro? politan Record publishing house, New York, a copy of tho above interesting novelette of the war-the prospectus of which wo publishod a week or two I ago. It is quite a readable book, and is founded upon facts and incidents which occurred during* Sherman's march through Georgia and South Carolina-several thrilling occur? rences in Columbia being recorded. Wo presume the book can be ob? tained from our booksellers. THE NEW HOSE CARRIAGE.-A spe? cial meeting of tho New York Fire? men's Association was held last even? ing, says tho Herald, of tho 18th, at their headquarters, Sixth Avenue. Tho Committee on the New Hose Carriage for the Firemen of Colum ; bia reported that they had built a carriago similar in style to that lost on the steamship Audnlusia, and thal it was now in tho hands of the paint? ers. They contemplated having the same finished by tho 1st of Juue. when it will be forwarded to Colum? bia by steamer. The Committee also reported ?that by tho destruction of tho former "carriago by firo at sea. they lost nearly 81,500, which amount will bo raised by subscription by thc members. JOB PRINTING.-The Joh. Office of tho Phoenix is fis complete as any in tho South. It is furnished with new fonts of type of all descriptions aud of tho most modern styles. All work executed promptly, with taste and skill, and at reasonable rates. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention U? i cd to tho following advertisements, which are published this morning for the ?rs? time: E. E. Jackson-Foard Toma'.. Thomas \V. Entzmmger-Lost 31 ule* H. D. Hanalian-Flour, Ac. Meeting Independent Fire Company. B. Hush Campbell-Correspondence. - ? ?> ? ?-; Long talcs aro usually uninteresting! but all consumers will be bencfittod and inte? rested by reading the entire advertisement and thou examining tho stock of Mr. It C. Shiver.