The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1865-09-20


oup READERS will have seen, in our paper,
+bot the issue has been squarely made by tho Re-
nnb}iran party with the Government, upon the
nolicy of reconstruction. 1t were too much to say
That all the Republicans concur in this measure,
but it is certain that Republicans make it. 1t is
equally certain it is sustained by Republicans,
and by few others than Republicans; and it were
Int fair to state it as q measure of tho party Tho
nolicv of this party is stated in tho speech OF
TuAppEUs STEVENS, and is to the effect that the
States shall he taken conquered provinces; that
the land-394 900, 900 acres-shan be disposed OF,
first to set up the freedmen, and the balance
$50 900 0OO-bc applied to the payment OF tho pub
lie dobt In consequence Of which, the nobility
at the South will all be driven into exile, and the
morals and manners Of the country be very much
improved. After this, the States, improved and
Republcanized, can be rcalmittoI, through a ter
ritorial process more or less extended, and be-
come again substantial parts of the Union.
In sharp contrast with this is tho theory Of the
President presented in his address to the meeting
of gentlemen from the Southern States, rs pub
lishcd yesterday. In that he says with great sim
plicity and force, 'Whc think the rebellion has
been subdued, and am happy i'll the conscious
ness Of duty well performed, want not only
you, but the people of the world, to know that
while dreaded and feared disintcgration of the
States, 1 am equally opposed to a consolidation or
concentration of power here, under whatever guise
or name they bear" In this address it appears
that he regards this power, of ono portion of the
States to determine the fate of the other, as con-
sohdation under whatever guise or form it may
appear, and such he will oppose it; and, it is
very certain he will oppose it, and as it is equally
tl,n hoe.
now thrown the gauntlet, will sustain tho issue, it
becomes serious question how the matter will
result
The game, however, is in the hand of the Prosi-
dent if he shall have the nerve to play it. Tho
Union is power. 1t was the inspiration of that
name that conquered us. Of that Union tho WISH
ble representation is The Government, and against
tho powers of that Government, justly welded, no
party can prevail.
We have little doubt, if they could get control Of
tho Government by any contrvanco-if they could
move tho mind Of the present President, or turn
him orerbcardAthat they would enter at once on
their programmc-inauguratc despotsm, con-
troled by majority at first, and by individual
afterwards. That is the logical result of every
thing they aim at. The power to act achieved,
the first step would be as purely irresponsible and
despotic-it would be as simply in the assertion
of tho power that t. rants exercise, as any ty-
rant ever performed. 1t would be agreeable to
popular feeling and popular interest to plumber
the South. Power is always sweet. no people by
merely moral motives were ever able to withhold
themselves from its exercise, and this power it
would he out of the question that they could fore
go. There would be disappointments, of course
the land they propose to dispose of would yield
fund about sufficient to defray the expenses of
their management; and many who sharpen the
edge of despotism for us would find it turned upon
themselves; but the power conceded or achieved
the party would little reck the ruined hopes that
would be crushed in the track of its progress.
But at present they will not get control of the
Government 1t now appears that their gamo is
understood by the President; that he knows it to
be, what it is in fact, grasp at irrespon blo
power; and if VIC must have irresponsible power
if this fair fabric must dissolve and leave but the
bleak and bald outline Of but single central pow
crit will occur to the present Government that
the power had as we'll stay where it is; and if it
must be dcspotism, they can make it sufficiently
despotic, and at the expense Of those who will have
invoked the agency. We arc at fearful point Of
history, and had as well realizo it. Men cannot
invoke force without the liability to feel it;-mcn
cannot grasp ct the life Of others without the dan
ger of their own;-mcn cannot disrupt govern
ment without exposure to the anarchy resulting;
and as the present attitude of tho Republican party
1s one i'll invocation Of force, they must await the
spirit thcyinvoke;-and if it will not be exercised
lfthcy cannot charm it to their bidding-they must
thank themselves only for tho consequences They
repudiate the union now rendered, and remit tho
States OF the South to the condition of conquered
provinces, at tho ris'' Of what power tho Goyorn-
mcnt can wie!d-and we have here fclt that too
keeny to doubt Of its suniciency.