Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. J" Tuesday ttorning, February ll. 1868. The National Finance*. | A comprehensive view of the finan? cia) i-it nation of the country is at this timo peculiarly interesting and in? structivo. The statist must consider tho requirements of the publio debt, the necessities growing out of trade relations, and the essentials of a satisfactory circulating medium. That the financial management of the United States Government ofti eers during tho war, and since its clo se, has been slovenly and defective, will be denied by those only who aro personally interested in maintaining a system of extravagance and corrup? tion. The national currency is a nation;il imposition, for while it pre? sents uo advantages over greenbacks, in whioh it is redeemable, it saddles the industrial energies of the country with a special interest debt of from eighteen to twenty millions .mnu.illy. That there aro screws loose in other portions of the financial machinery, the New Orleans Times thinks is evi? denced by tho fact that the difference between greenbacks and gold is now greater than it was nt the close of tho war. Trade relations are deranged, and wo aro receding further and fur? ther from the point where a proper standard of value eau bo introduced ?with advantage. Radical legislation, with tho filthy lucre which it bas fos? tered, is at the root ol most of the present evils. By making paper a legal tender, it fostered extravagance and corruption, and made the nation? al dttbt more thau twice as great as it should be; and by wholly disregard? ing the laws of political economy, it has, for tho present, at least, utterly destroyed thoso elements of prospe? rity on which our people formerly relied. To remedy these evils, many attempts have boen mude. Among others, Senator Henderson, of Mis? souri, lias tried his hand. The two prominent features of his bill nre thus presented: "1. The funding of tho present debt in a long loan, payable fifty years from date, bearing I per cent, interest; principal ami interest pay? able in gold, aud bonds to be exempt from taxation. Tho difference be? tween the 4 and 6 per cent, interest to bo compounded for in coin on con? version of the higher rate into bonds of tho new ones. e "2. The limitation of $300,000,000 circulation under the national bank? ing act to he repealed, and a free banking system, similar to that of New York State, to bo adopted, the circulation pf which should bu secur? ed by deposits of the new i per cent, bonds, equivalent to 75 percent, only of thu. amount deposited, instead of 90 per cent, us at present." It is clear tlrWKhe bonds now ont, with their high rate of interest and exemption from taxation, offer more attractive inducements to capitalists than co m m'Mci al or real estate in? vestments. The nation stands in the position of II competitor towards every individual borrower, and strangle-, enterprise by snell competi? tion, l iiis incubus on the energies of a people can only bc removed by paying tmeh portions o? the existing debi with "legal tender," as eau pro? perly be paid in that manner, and by funding the remainder with obliga? tions ut a low rato of interest, and with a long lime to run. That done, capital would seek and find moro at? tractive kinds of investments, and commercial enterprise would bo re? lieved from many of its present difficulties. Next, the national banks should be swept out of existence, or made to transact their business with a true national currency, redeemable with tho precious metals, so soon as values could be equalized and the Government relieved from the imme? diate pressure of its existing obliga? tions. Of Senator Henderson's pro? position we can only say tlr.it it would be a decided' improvement on the system which now prevails; bnt th? Senator'? constituents will hardly consent to pay in coiu, even ut the end of fifty year8,,for loons obtained in depreeiatedi^papor, worth:'not over forty cohts. Tho "West has' become somewhat doubtful of the patriotic purity of the bond-holdois. -;-?-??-> AU ore aware of the presumption and arrogance of the radical party, in characterizing itself as based upon "a great moral idea." Tho New York lYorld proceeds to snow how unsafe it is to entrust great powers to the keeping of a party with such professions, and cites all the in? iquitous organizations known iu history as making tho same claim. It need not, however, have traveled so fur away from home for illustra? tions. Tho Free Lovers, tho Mor? mons and tho Millerites were all based upon "great moral ideas." Tho Puritans persecuted the Quakers and hung witches, all in obedienee to "great moral ideas." and very probably their more ree?.ot acts upon thu sume basis wili in tue end prove equally insane, iniquitous aud pro? portionately in keeping with "groat moral ideas." <-??-? -- An exchango, in an article on fe? male suffrage in Eugland, contends that in case the right of voting was granted to women, the punishment of the tread-mill would have to be introduced, in order to prevent tho fairer portion of the community from selling their votes. Women have no steady principle of action, says tho reviler, and are governed by small economic notions. Just as if men were not blown about by every wind of doctrine in changing their opin? ions on public affairs. If the women had a chance to show the inconstancy of the sterner sex, the tables would be turned upon the accusers. The Cabinet of England is frequently put in power and then ousted by the samo House of Commons, and how else account for tho fact than by a change of opinion in the members. Tak? ing into consideration the passage of Disraeli's roform bill, notwithstand? ing tho opposition of the Tory party, or Sir Bobert Peel's numerous right? about faces, how eau any man, with any decency, talk about tho fickleness of women? At all events, if a mother barters her vote for a year's schooling for Hobby, or a new frock for Bessie, she does it from no selfish motive; a father requires tho hard cash, which he spends on himself. The writer argues that tho influcuco of "home and pleasing spouso" tends to weaken a man's intellect, and that great men are never exem? plary husbands-a theory most essen? tially "snobbish," and though once in vogue, through tho wicked ex? ample of Byron, is now thoroughly exploded. --. -? . CASH-PAY UP.-From and after Jauntily 1, lSd8, the cash system will he strictly enforced. Persons who are now indebted for subscriptions, and who wish their papers continued, j will confer a favor by paying np at once. Those who fail will have their papers discontinued. Cash will also bu required for all advertisements. Persons forwarding advertisements from a distance, must send u remit? tance. Job work cash on delivery. -? ? ? ?-. The inhabitants of Naples ave said j to be overjoyed with the present emption of Vesuvius, on aecouut of the number of visitors tho sublime spectacle will attraot. Tho danger of tho fate of Herculaneum and Pompeii is considered us nothing in comparison with the benefits to bo derived from what would have been at one time regarded as a terrible catastrophe. This turning the mo?d frightful wonder of tho earth into an exhibition of fire-works is worthy of Barnum himself. ? .- , t? i ' The Grnnl-Johnion Corrtiponaencc and lt? Probnhlo Remits. . The G ran t-Johnson correspondence and tho facts end circumstances con? nected with it, moke Op a case, a iuuionuibio case, of political demoral? ization wholly unprecedented in the history of the United Stales. In the first place, wo find thia correspou denc? submitted to Congress by Mr. Stanton, with a lotter, in which ha says that since his resumption of thoi War Department, he has been and is discharging the duties of his office "without any personal or written communication with the President." This is un extraordinary shit? of things, and it wears au ugly and for? bidding countenance. It bronks np the Executive Department into two divisions-one division under the President und the other entirely de? tached from him, but ia full commu? nion with Cougress; and this conflict is now approaching a solution to which we shall presently refer. . In the next place, Geiibful Grant, not satisfied with the verbal orders of the President in reference to orders emanating from tho War Depart? ment, asks (Jauuary 25) for written instructions, and says, "I am com I pelted to ask these instructions iu writing, in consequence of th-* mi ny gross misrepresentations affectif^ ny personal honor circulated through the press for the post fortnight, and purporting to como from the Presi? dent," fco. "What is written," con? tinues General Grant, "admits of no misunderstanding." He then pro? ceeds to state his recollection of what he said, what he suggested and what ho did in anticipation of a vote from the Senate re-instating Mr. Stanton as Secretary of War, the material point of all which is this: that he (General Grant) made no promise to resign the War Department in .season to admit of nuother appoint? ment, if ho did not himself resist tho re-iustatement of Stanton. "I made uo such promise." Tho President, in his reply, very positively affirms that there was a distinct understand? ing of this .sort, and with consider? able detail gives the chapter and verse, and directly charges that the General, "in disregard ol the nnder i standing between us, vacated the j office, (giving it np to Stanton.) with ? out having given me notice of your I intentions to do so." Gen. Grant's j averment that ho didgivo tho notice, the President insists, does not altoi tho fact. Hut the General's oller, twice made, to appeal to S tau to u te resign, Mr. Johnson accepted "as :i sort of reparation." To clinch th? nail as to the understanding on tin j 14th, tho President says, "I have to ! day, (January 31,) read this narra tion of what occurred on the 14tL inst., to the members of the Cabinel who were then present," and thai "they, without exception, agree in it: accuracy." Gen. Grant, in his answer (Febril ary 3) to "this simple recital of facts,' says it is but a reiteration moro ii detail of the "many and gross mis representations" of corta in newspa pers, "and hore," continues tho Ga nr.ral, "I re-assert the correctness o my statements in that letter, (Jauuan 25,) anythiug in yours in reply to i to tho contrary notwithstanding.' Ho confesses his surprise, too, "tba the Cabinet officers referred to shonh KO greatly misapprehend the facts.' Then, after a restatement of his ro . collection of tho facts, the General as to his motives and purposes in thi business, lets thc cat out of the bug He was afraid that the removal o Stanton might bo followed by som appointment which would embarras the army in tho performance of it duties under the reconstruction laws and ho says "that it was to preven sueh an appointment that 1 accepte* the appointment of Secretary of Wa ad iiUerim, and uot for the purpose o enabling you to get rid of Mr. Stan ton." And again, says Grant, "th oourso you would have it understooi I agreed to pursue was in violation o law, and that without orders fror you;" and yotngaiu, "pardon mo fe saying that I cun but regard thi whole matter, from beginning l?> out! as an attonipt to involve mo in th resistance of luw, for which you hes: tated to assume the responsibility, i order thus to destroy my characte beforo the country. I am, in a mee sure, coutirmed in this conclusion b your recent orders directing mo t disobey orders from tho Secrotury c War without having countermuude his authority." This ends the coi reapoudence for tho present; but it i giveu out that tho President is pr? paring a lecturo for the General o disrespectful language to his suporic officer, which will convince Grat that he hns a superior and that ho is not to be trifled with much longer. Here is n complete rupture. We now see that, in this Stanton imbrog? lio, while Mr. Johnson thought ho had finn flBawfc. thc rud?a?a had him all the ti me j;! nnd wo see' in this cor? respondence, and' in the motion of Mr. Wilson,'in the Honse.of Repre? sentatives, to refer it to the Judiciary or Impeachment Committee, und in its refereuoe to the Committee on Reconstruction, that it means mis? chief to Audruw.Jphusou. He Jiolds . no communication with Secretary Stantou; he has ordered Gen. Grant to disregard Stanton's orders, unless satisfied that they are really by the President's authority. But it seems that some direct order from the Pre? sident to Stanton is still needed to vitiate any order tho latter may ohoose to give as by the President's direction. Hence the charge of Gen. Graut that Mr. Johnson, from the beginning to the end of this matter, has been guilty of "un attempt to in? volve me in the resistance of lnw." All these things taken together, in tho hands of "Old Thad. Stevens," to whom they have been referred, may be worked up into a case of im? peachment. Indeed, with this de? claration of war from Gen. Grant against Mr. Johnson, his impeach? ment, conviction and removal from oflice have ceased to be impossibili? ties, and the necessity for his romovid to tho radicals is more urgent than ever.-York Herald, (ith. The Times editorially says, in speaking of tho Grant and Johnson difficulty, that Grant, from the time ho accepted the position of Secretary of War, followed the dictates of his judgtneut, fulfilled his intimation to the President, and obeyed the law by allowing Mr. Stanton to resume his place in the Department. Thc World uccuses Grant of gross misrepresentation, nnd with deceiv? ing Mr. Johnson, and says that he has pleaded guilty to the President s charge, and that his former good character bas been blotted. GIVING THE DEVIXI HIS DUI:. There is a point in tho following anecdote: A person was making a cull upon an old lady, who mada it an habitual nile never to speak ill of another, and had observed it so closely that she always justified thoso whom she had heard evil spoken of. Before the old lady made her appearance into thu parlor, her several children I were speaking of this peculiarity of their mother, and one of them play? fully said: "Mother has such a habit of speaking well of everybody, that I do believe if Satan himself were tho subject of conversation, mother would find ont some virtue or good quality even in. him." Of course this remark elicited some smiling ami merriment at tho originality of tho idea, in the. midst of which tho old lady entered the room, and on being told what had just been said, she im? mediately and involuntarily replied: "Well, my children, I wish wo all had Satan's industry and perseverance." Gov. Oui: ON TIIKSITIATION'.-Gov. Orr returned yesterday from his visit to Beaufort, and has again taken rooms at tho Mills House. The Governor went to Beaufort partly to learn tho circumstances of the murder of Mr. Mathewes, re? cently reported in these columns. Ho says there is neither law or order in the section he has visited, and that ho will so repon to Gen. Cunby to? day. On a drive of ten miles, through some places once tho most flourishing in that District, the Go? vernor saw not a vestige of a fence, not a single hog, or sheep, and only two poor cows. [Charleston Mercury, 10///. A GOOD WAY TO 1'AY Omi DI:UTS. Tho Chicago Post relates that a week ugo last Sabbath, liev. R. L. Collier, of the First Unitarian Church in that city, hauled tho members of his society over tho coals for their sup ! port cf thc chm itv ball, character? izing it as a wicked waste, out of which charity would huvo nothing. He exhorted them to always make their gift felt in tho right direction. Last Sabbath ho mado an energetic appeal to his congregutiou to relieve their church from debt, and so con? vincingly demonstrated its imme? diate necessity, tliuthis hearers, with? out leaving their scats, raised the sum of thirty thousand five hundred dollars. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius', at last accounts, continued with it-, accustomed vigor. 1 I Xtooal ;sCtc3rT3L?r?- ^ Tilos. P. Wulkor, Esq., having been re-instated in office by General Burton, will roan ni o his duties ns ma? gistrate immediately. The me?ting which was appointed to take piare at the Presbyterian I Church, in behalf nf the Columbia Bible Society, for Sabbath night, tho 9th of February, wan postponed on account o? tho inclement evening, to Sabbath night, thc 16th February. Cpau?JL?fUNTs.--Wo are constantly receiving complaints from subscrib? ers in tho country, that their papers aro not promptly received; in Rome eases, it is asserted that the packages are open. The papers aro regularly mailed from this office; but wo havo reason to believe that postmasters allow outsiders to inspect und even carry off the papers. Proof of this can be readily obtained, and if tho practice is continued, wo sholl be compelled to report the manes' of the postmasters to the Department. M AT Li Am;A"Gr.:,ir.NTs.-The post office open during the week from 8% n. m. to 6 p. m. On Sundays, from 1}4 to 2<,< p. m. The Charleston and Western mails ure open for delivery at 2 p. ni., and close at 9 a. m. Northern-Open for delivery at IOa. m., closes at 1 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery, at 3 p. m., closes at 8 p. m. HUMAN SYMPATHY.-What a very strange thiug what we call the haman heart is-the sense Of feeling linked with the powor of thought ? Why is it that the sight of a certain face moves us, when that of others does not ? Why does the souud of a voice or a footfall make tho heart beat, when other, even similar sounds, affect it not ? Why is it that the presence of some is dearer and moro necessary to tis than that of others ? In liue, why do wo sometimes lovo those who, up to a few months, or weeks, or even days, were utter strangers to us, while those wo have known and been accustomed to for yeats, though we may like, wo do not love ? We measure the mountains, and sound the depths of the sea. We dig up science from the bowels of the earth, and hunt for it among the stars, and yet wo know nothing of the secret springs that work within tho curious piece of mechanism of which we aro composed. We may think we arc wise, wo may faucy wo are learned, but we must admit that there is some Beeret power either within or above us, which, while it leaves our will and our action free, exercises an influenc? over the results of their operation, which we can neither explain nor comprehend. In fact, wo ure a mystery to ourselves. , Thought unbidden comes to ns, and after scenes long past, and almost forgotten, start up befere us, we know not how, or why. Thc field of human knowledge is, aftor all, a very limited one-the most learned among us is but an ignorant ereaturo, for bu does not know himself. lt is enough for us, however, to know that that deli caty of organization which enables us to sympathize with the happiness . or misery of others, which prompts us to love, or makes us yearn for the love of others, -which makes a sound, j n look, or a nnme a source of pleasure, . hus been given to us, in mercy, as a means ol happiness here, for cer? tainly whatever of happiness wo do enjoy originates from that. Aud per ' haps the knowledge of its mysterious operation may have been concealed 1 from us with the same view. NEW ADVEUTISEMEKTH. -Attention ni call? ed to tho following advertisements, pub? lished this morning for tho drat time: 1 Extra Meeting True Brotherhood Lodge. Cantwell'*-Planting Potatoes. Meeting Burna Club. J. D. Bateman-Fresh Oysters. Thoa. P. Walker-Magistrale. O. Diercks-Lemons, Butter, Ac. Jacob Levin Auction Halos. C. ll. Baldwin A Co-Sugars, Ac.