The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-07-18

mSut. = as natIoIS now sStonQ 10 uQht
against it, is to contend against mani.
fest destiny. Besides slavery has been
so disturbed and the slaves so demor.
allied during the war, that it is a
matter of great doubt whether they
could ever be kept in state OF proper
subordination, and the institution
made profitable in future.
Under these circumstances the ques-
ton arises, what shall we do? Nothing
that we can do will prevent the result,
and 1t is my deliberate opinion that
any effort on our part to thwart the
will Of the Government on this great
question will only add to our ruiseries
and our mistortunes. The statesman,
like the business man, should take a
practical view Of questions as they
arise, and do for those dependent upon
him the best that can be done, under
all the circumstances by which they
are at the time surrounded.
Applying this rule to our present
condition, and remembering that revo-
luton and war often sweep away long
established usages, dcmolish theories
and change institutions, it is, in nv
judgment, best that we accept the fate
imposed upon us by the fortunes of
war, and chat we give up slavery at
once, by the action of the Convention,
which it is supposed will assemble
under the call of the Provisional Gov
ernor appointed to re-orgeuizo the
State Government. That we organize
system of labor as speedily as pos
slble, which will be alike just to the
late master and slave That we return
to the Union in good faith and do all
IN our power, as good citizens, to
relieve the distressed, repair the da-
images which have resulted from the
contest, and restore permanent peace
and prosperity to the whole country,
under the old flag, to which all must
again look for protection from the At
lantic to the Pacific.
AS I will give no advice to others
which 1 will not practice myself |
shall Immediately do all which the
Constitution and laws of my State
will permit TO emancipate my own
slaves, and shall treat them as free,
and give them part of the crop, or
such other wages as may be agreed
upon for their future labor.
During my sojourn there, I found
among the people Of the North much
less bitterness than I had anticipated
towards the people of the South. If
we act prudently and do nothing to
cause unnecessary agitation, or to pro-
woke angry and Improbable discus
sicns, l think there are strong reasons
to hope that sentiment of justice
and liberality will prevail as soon as
we have given up slavery, and the
passions engendered by the unfortu-
nate and wicked assassination of the
late President have had time to subside.
In making their Judgment, upon
cool reflection, it should be remem-
bered by just men in the North that
they are sitting as judges in their own
cause; that their adversary's side of the
question has ceased to be represented
OR heard, and that if they would
restore unity, harmony and permanent
prosperity to the whole country, they
must, while flushed with victory, ex-
ercise magnanimity to their fallen
foes, whose heroism they are obliged
to respect Otherwise, though held
in the Union by force, they could not
expect the people Of the South and
their posterity to meet them in future
as friends and embrace them as fellow
citizens. l trust their good practical
sense will teach them this, and that
moderation and uiso norpcol, X,,u -;