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COLUMBIA] Wednesday Morning, April 1, 1868. The Coming Rf-fcc t Ion. Tho New York Herald predicts the wui?cd;?-.Jo ..??vi iillci v?i?iutc??"vitxcii of tho radical party, aa the result of the negro suffrage bill recently intro? duced into Congress. It argues that 1 sinoo the integrity of the party was i based solely on thia issue, that the j individual efforts of its members to i trim their sails to tho popular wind, I has happily destroyed its spirit and | its impulse. Nothing now is left to j keep it together but the cohesive j power of public plunder. In this view, most people will believo the ! Herald to be right. The verdict of the elections throughout the West ?aa so overwhelmingly against the establishment of negro suffrage, that no radical politioian with any ambi? tion will dare to risk his hopes by advocating it. Mr. Broomall, who offered the bill, may succeed in strik? ing the shaokles from the South by the identical blow with which he ex? pected to rivet them irrevocably. This bill declares that "all provisions and enactments in State Constitu? tions and laws, which make distinc? tions between blacks and whites, as regards civil or political rights, shall be void and of no effect, " and may decidedly bo characterized as-sweep? ing. It is cheering to note, however, that Judge Spaulding (one of the most violent o? radicals) opposed it strenuously, and declared that "ra? ther than vote for it, his right arm should fall from its socket. " Several other radical members also gave Mr. Broomall a severe brush. It is very evident that all are not prepared to follow blindly the leadership of Thad. Stevens and Ben. Wade. Bad in? deed must be tho course pursued by the radical directory at Washington, when we find members of it, and. its press, losing no opportunity to place a personal" disclaimer upon record even while aiding in its enormities. Butler, Chase, Stevens, and many i others, have taken occasion to cast an anchor to the windward in antici- j pation of the day of sweeping retri- i butiou yet in store for them. What iq true of individuals is moro strik ingly apparent in the press. For the ? first time, perhaps, in the history of | the country, and it speaks well both for the spirit of thc ago and tho ! dignity of tho profession, wo find editors who, while they sacrifice their own priuciples to tho party whip, I and work obediently in party traces, yet refuse to prostitute tho columns of their papers to tho advocacy of measures they [know to be unjust and unrighteous. The editor of the Nation, iu its last issue, hitherto the j vade mecumol radicalism, thus washes his hands like a modern Pontius Pi late of the sins of his people, while ! contemplating tho elevation of Ben. : Wade to the Presidency: "He is lamentably ignorant with ? regard to tho various economical j questions by which tho country is beset, and, if he has any opinions on finance at all, they are probably not very favorable to tho maintenance of tho national credit. In his selection I of his Cabinet, he is likely to prefer zeal-of which we have already as much as the country can stand-to discretion nnd knowledge, which the country is dying for want of. What is worse, he will probably, with that blind reverence for party traditions and practices for which men of his stamp are generally remarkable, feel that his first dutv in nf??rn is to usn tho Federal patronage to help tho Bepublican party at tho Presidential election-which is simply another way of saying that he will do what ho can to increase the corruption and debauchery, waste of tho public mo? ney and degradation of Government officials, which havo mado tho civil Bcrvico as great a disgrace as ever befell a Christian country. For tho liko of it, vo have to search the chronicles of tho worst Enropean monarchies in the eighteenth cen? tury." ' Tb? N?w tSrTe?tis Tith?? thinks it high timo that tho peoplo of th? North ahouiil become alarmed at the oondnct of their accredited represen? tatives. By .permitted peculations and-wnst?ful expenditures, they havo ruined tho credit of the country; by trampling nuder foot all the b>ws and traditions of political economy, they have iu a great measure destroyed our commerce, and transferred what remains of it to foreign bottoms; by encroaching on tho chartered rights of the other departments of the Government, they have sapped tho foundations of our political institu? tions, and completely destroyed tbut balance of power on which onr re? publican system depends for its solidity and perpetuity. A House of Representatives which has arbitrarily denied representation to ten States of the Union, though imposing on them unjust and iniquitous taxes, has, not? withstanding its incompleteness, pre? ferred letters of impeachment against the President of tho United States, on grounds which aro at once ridicu? lously flimsy and wickedly partisan, and a Senate, which has no pretence to being such a Senate as the Consti? tution requires, yet undertakes to perform the high duties of a court of impeachment, on an authority pretended to be derived from the Constitution! Blind, indeed, must that man bo who sees nothing of usurpation and danger in all this. Though the weight of radical op? pression has thus far rested chiefly on the Southern people, yet the re? turning tide is even now beginning to sweep against the breastworks of the North, destroying the profits of a sectional industry, which rested for protection upon fraud and the thin bubbles of kite-flying speculators, which they had foolishly relied upon aa substantial representatives of wealth. We look for exciting times among the politicians of the North before the issue of the next Presi? dential election shall be given to thc world. The hell-broth of radicalism is already boiling in the cauldron, and lizard's tongue and blind worm's sting cannot make it so "thick and slab" as to render it acceptable to a people whose sober second thought can no longer be evaded or delayed. Local .Ttoma. A despatch received in this city, yesterday, from a prominent gentle? man in Washington, who has just re? turned from Connecticut, says tho Democrats are confident of success. About ll o'clock, last night, the roof of a house, belonging to Mr. J. M. Crawford, in Colton Town, was' discovered lo be on fire. Tho alarm was sounded, and the firemou prompt? ly turned out, but their services wero not required, as tho flames were ex? tinguished with a few buckets of water. The tableaux last night, for the benefit of the Memorial Association, were not so successful, in a pecuniary point, as on a previous occasion; nevertheless, a substantial sum was realized. The performance was a decided improvement, and the ladies and gentlemen connected with tho affair aro entitled to general com? mendation for so successfully carrying out their self-imposed task. We shall endeavor hereafter to give a moro extended notice. THE THKATJUUAIJS.-Tho "South? ern Dramatics," assisted by Mr. J. R. Lawrance, (who gave such gene? ral satisfaction during the past win? ter,) will give a theatrical entertain? ment, this evening, in Calisthenic Hall. Tho pieces selected aro tho drama of "Michael Erle" and the farce of "Tho Limerick Boy," inter? spersed with singing and dancing. Tho price of admission is only 25 cents. We" are'TeqUested to state that De? mocratic delegates will be boarded for. #1.50 per doy atthe.Central Hotel, (Shiver. House,) diming tho session of the Convention, which assembles on Thursday, 2d April. By reference to our advertising columns, it will be seen that the pro? prietor of the Clendining House, will aacommodate members of tho Con? vention at $1.50 por day. Passengers over tho Charlotte Hall road will note an important chango in the schedule-tho trains now leave at 4 p. m. Close connections at Charlotte and Greensboro are now made by this route, omi passengers will be pushed through rapidlj-. An immense open air meeting of the Republicans, was held last night, at which several speeches were de? livered. The late hour at which it adjourned, prevents our giving a re? port of tho proceedings this morn? ing; but we shall do so in our next. DEDICATION OF THE NEW MASON IO HAnti-iNTEnESTiNO CEREMONIES. This handsome and convenient build? ing, erected by Mr. George Davis, under the architectural direction of G. T. Berg, Esq., was dedicated yesterday afternoon, With all tho imposing ceremonies of this ancient order. By 3 o'olock, the hall was filled with ladies-the "lords of crea? tion" accompanying them being forced to take "standee berths." The members of the fraternity assem? bled at Odd Fellows' Hall, about half-past 3, and were arranged in procession by Grand Master Alexan? der. A number of visiting members participated; Excelsior Lodge, of Charlotte, N. C., being fully repre? sented. The following are the Co? lumbia Lodges: Bichland Lodge No. 39; Truo Brotherhood No. 84; Acacia Lodge No. 94; Columbia Lodge No 108, and Columbia Chap? ter. At 4 o'clock, the procession took np its line of march, through tho principal streets, to the build? ing to be dedicated. On arriving in tho hall, the Master of the Lodge, (John McKenzie) addressed Grand Master Orr as follows: "Tho brethren being animated with a desiro to promote the honor and interest of the craft, have ereci ed a Masonic hall for their conveni? ence and accommodation. They are desirous that the same should bo ex? amined by tho Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, and if it should meet their approbation, that it should bo solemnly dedicated to Masonic pur? poses agreeably to ancient form and usage." Architect Berg then addressed the Grand Master, presenting to him the plumb, square and level: "Most Worshipful, having been entrusted] with tho superintendence and management of tho workmen employed in tho construction of this edifico, and having, according to tho best of my ability, accomplished the task assigned mo, I now return my thanks for tho honor of this appoint? ment, and beg leave to surrender up tho implements which were commit? ted to my care, when the foundation of this fabric was laid; humbly hop? ing that tho exertions which have been made on this occasion, will be crowned with your approbation and that of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge." To which Grand Master Orr re? plied: "Brother Architect, thc skill and fidelity displayed in the execution of the trust reposed in you, nt tho com? mencement of this undertaking, have secured tho entire approbation of the Grand Lodge; and iney sincerely pray that this edifico may continuo a lasting monument of tho taste, spirit, and liberality of its founders." Deputy ( i rand Master (Jacob Le? vin) responded: "Most Worshipful, tho hnll in which we aro now assembled, and the plan upon which it has been con? structed, having met with your ap? probation, it is tho desiro o' tho fra? ternity that it should now bo dedi? cated, according to ancient form and usage." The officers of the various lodges then marched in procession around the hall, with tho emblems of their offices; after which the consecration prayer was offered by the Grand Chaplain (J. L. Dixon.) An odo was then sung by the choir, accompanied on the. organ by Prof. Pintti. The j "public grand honora" of tho order were then given. The benediction was pronounced, after which the Ttov. J. Li. Fveynolds was introduced, who delivered nu interesting and in? structive address, in substance as follows: The speaker begun by remarking that when tho fraternity laid the corner stone of tho unw State House, twelve years ago, ho took occasion, in the address delivered at that time, to say that the edifice begun at a period of peace and prosperity would, ere its completion, bo the witness of civil war and ita terrible consequences. The anticipated storm had burst upou the State; and the unfinished house now stands amid the ruins of our fair city, a sad but suggestive symbol of a subjugated commonwealth. Duriug tho progress of that unhappy scctioual strife, Masonry asserted its beneficent sway, softening the asperities of war, throwing the shield of its protection over the wounded and vanquished on the field of battle, relieving Hit wants of tho captive; and when tht last battle had been fought, it wa.< the first to stretch forth, over tho rec sea of fraternal blood, the hand o: conciliation and sympathy. In the fire-storm which swept awaj our beautiful city, the halls of th? fraternity had perished; but, like their ancient brethren at Jerusalem they cluug to the ashes and black ened remnants cf their homes anc altars, and although oppressed am: sad, they girded themselves for tin work of rearing a shrine for tin jewels of the order and a temple foi the celebration of its mysteries-ant by the good hand of God upon then they had come, this day, to dedicati their hall to its appropriate usos. In past ages, architecture embo died national ideas. India ant Egypt expressed their conceptions o tho grand and the mysterious Greece enshrined the beautiful Gothic architecture symbolized th? sentiments of religion and tho nspi rations of piety. Nothing of th? kind appears now, and the only sig nificauce of the hall then dedicatee consisted in the purposes it wai designed to snbservo. Tho Masoni of Columbia were ouly raising uj their fallen altar, relighting its ex tinguished fires, and thus maintain ing tho succession which connect?e them with the venerable founders o the institution. Tho origin and early history o Masonry is only dimly discoveret amid tho haze which envelopes tin primitive annals of our race. Al efforts to connect it with the aucieu heathen mysteries, with Greek o Roman brotherhoods and clubs, o: with Auglo-Saxon guilds, hav< proved unsuccessful. They mistool parAal resemblance for identity o origin. All institutions framed b; men, and for similar ends, mus possess many features in common The affinities, which have beeu de tected between Masonry and othe institutions, are to be ascribed to tb fact that they are all aliko the pro duots of the human mind in it strivings after a common end. There is no connection betweei Masonry and the ancient forms o polytheism and | idol-worship, th adoration of the Heavenly bodiet On tho contrary, in its empbati recognition of one God, tho suprem architect of the universe, it has bee tho champion of theism. Associate with revealed religion, it has followe tho current of Jewish and Christie tradition, and never bowed its kne to any divinity except tho God c Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Masonry, like all human iustiti! t ions, is the growth of mnu's sense c need and desire of improvemeul Tho desire of knowledge is naturi aud irrepressible. Science is bot theoretical and practical; and Mason ry ia sp?culative and operative. Ri fore tho invention of tho printin press, knowledge was preserved 1? tradition; and the members of th craft, at their meetings, commun i cated to ono another tho principle of science, reported new discovoric and inventions, and thus iustructe their junior brethren. A lodge wa a school of art, speculative and ope rative. Masonry, although no longer ope rative, and scarcely specula live in th Benne in wbioh it was formerly, is sustained by the supply which it furnishes to some of the inherent demands of our nature. Man is ,jA social being, and craves fellowship? with his kind. Fellowship bogett*w friendship} softens the heart and prompts it to deeds of charity. Cha? rity is thc culminating virtue of Ma? sonry, the lust round of that mystic ladder which reaches from earth, with its gloom and sorrow, to Heaven, with its everlasting light and joy. No social organization eau subsist apart from moral principles and duties. Ileuco Masonry naturally evolves and rests upon them as its firm foundation. It places upon its altar the Holy Bible, as a great light, tho supreme rule of human conduct. The fellowships of this world are transient. Time is constantly with? drawing the objects of friendship and love. Even the guarded threshold of a lodge is invaded by a terrible King, who defies the Tyler's sword, forces his way to the inner shrine, and hangs over it the sable drapery of death. Is the grave the goal of human existence? This question drew our ancient brethren within tho sacred precincts of revelation. They looked np to the Great Father and heard His words. "The dust shall return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it." Henceforth, tho hope cf im? mortality became a cherished posses? sion; aud Masonry planted upon the grave the evergreen emblem of an unfading life. I havo thus (said tho speaker) sketched tho natural history and shown the rational ge? nesis of Free Masonry, springing up ! amid the simplest necessities of our nature, and culminating in religion. Axt hus its ideal of beauty; religion its ideal of holiness, and Masonry its ideal of virtue; but none of thom is ever realized in this world. Ho is the truest Mason who approaches nearest to the great exemplar; and only those who are striving after this high attainment are worthy to kneel at tho altar, which we, this day, erect to the Supremo Architect. This ideal can be roached only by persevering, daily effort. In the formation of character, we are operative Masons. We must work. When the Emperor Severus loy upon his death-bed, the terminus of an agitated and toilsomo life, his ruling passion spoke from his closing lips, whilst he said to his friends-11 Laboremus, ue must work." Let this be the maxim of our moral j and spiritual life-Laboremus, we must work. The interest and pleasuro of the proceedings wero materially added to by the successful efforts of the choir, and. several Masonic odes were ad? mirably executed. Our Masonic friends now have a place of assembly which is an ornament to the city; and the erection of the building is a substantial monument to one of the cardinal principles of tho order charity; as the most of the funds re? quired for its erection was contribut? ed by sister lodges in different por? tions of the United States-Califor? nia making a substantial donation, and Maine responding in au equally liberal spirit. The proceedings of tho day ended in a Masonic banquet, prepared, as I we suppose, in Mr. McKenzie's best I style-but, as "we" are, unfortunnte j ly, not connected with the mystic ^ : brotherhood, wo cannot speak defi? nitely of what was provided, said or dono aronnd the festive board. ONE F ABB.-Wo aro authorized to state that delegates to tho Democratic State Convention, in Columbia, to bo held on the 2d of April, will bo passed over the railroads, to and fro, for one faro. Our conutry exchanges will please extend this notico. MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-Tho post ! offico opon during tho week from 8}.? , a. m. to C p. m. On buudaj's, trow ? 4>.? to u}4 p. m. Tho Charleston and Western mails aro open for delivery at 4 p. m., and close at 8 '.j p. m. Northern-Open for delivery at 8'.j a. m., closes at 3.45 p. m. Greenville-Open for delivery 5' p. m., closes at 8 p. m. .NEW ADVEnTUUUCBNTB. -Al IQllMoll ia ca?. ed to tho following advertisements, pub? lished thin morning for tho Qrsl time Regular Meeting Richland Lodge. ' " " Ohicora B. B. Club. Performance of H. Y. M. Dramatics.