The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-05
COLUMBIA.
unday Morning, November S. 1865.
Progress of Cancellation.

Progress OF Cancellation.
President johnson has been prompt and
liberal in the exercise of the pardoning
power towards leading public men, civil
and military, in this State and his course is
doubtless appreciated by all. The prcli-
minary work of conciliation is progressing
well, and We hope the reconstruction policy,
at first inaugurated by the sagacious Chief
Magistrate Of the Union will not be i'm
peded. either by any error on his part, or
by any unwise action or legislation on the
part of the people or lawmakers of the
Southern States. 1t should be the earnest
desire of all to bring up the Union to the
ancient landmarks, and although the past,
with all its sufferings, with all its losses,
With all its direful consequences, cannot be
efaced from the mind, yet as patriots, as
good citizens of the Republic. it becomes
our duty to make the best Of the present,
and to work diligently, earnestly and faith
fully to make the future, in u national
point of view, glorious and prosperous.
And In this great work, we feel we'll assured
there will be no people more active or en-
ergetic than those of the Southern States
South Carolina has, thus far, since the
President established her provisional Co.
cernment, performed her whole duty in the
great work Of reconstruction. Although de-
solated by the ravages of war, her beautiful
capital almost destroyed, her other towns
more or less damaged, her agricultural in
terests injured and crippled to fearful
extent, her people in Convention assembled
have done all that in them lay to aid the
President IN the work Of restoration. They
have repealed the ordinance of secession;
have affirmed the abolition of slavery
within her limits now and forever: they
have popularized the State Government:
and now the members of her Legislature
have elected to the highest office-to the
most honorable position in the councils of
the nation-the gentleman whom President
johnson himself selected to guide the
State in her return to the Union. It is
true, the very large vote caet for General
Wade Hampton, for Governor, might seem
to initiate against the position we assume
for the people of this State, yet, when we
consider Gen. Hampton's vast popularity,
his past career, the virtue and purity of his
private life and character, no one need be
surprised at this manifestation of the high
estimation in which he is held by his
Seuow-ciuZens. He is one of natures no.
biemen-safs lo,ter ct sans reproche. More
over, his sincerity, his patriotism, loyalty
and devotion to the future prosperity Of his
country, has recently been manifested, in
the admirable letter he published, when he
was besieged with letters and applications
to lead and found colony of Southerncrs
in Brazil. He urged upon the applicants
to stay at home, and go to work to aid ia
restoring their country to he: former great
ness and prosperity. There is NO truer
patriot in the land than Wade Hampton.
The high compliment, therefore, which his
fellow-citizens have recently paid to him,
is no evidence Of their disloyalty to the
Government or opposition to the Admin
istration.
There is Latin maxim which, being rem
dered, reads: "To consult the welfare of
the people is the first great law" or, in
other words, the main end of every Go
vernment should be the well being of the
people, the establishment of order and Sc
curity, and the diffusion of social happiness.
10 secure this end, we believe President
johnson is laboring in good faith and with
honesty OF purpose. The desire of every
true patriot is that he may be successful,
and the man or party at the South who
would place an obstacle in the way, as
sumes responsibility not at all consistent
with sound judgment or true patriotism.
1t Is true, that we regret that his views as
to the ultimate payment of the Confederate
States debts, as given il the despatch to
Governor Holden, published yesterday, are
at variance with our own and that of MANY
other good and loyal citizens nevertheless,
we have still unshaken faith in the wisdom