The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-09-20

many Of the most eminent of them
have already committed themselves
publicly to use all their influence and
energy and authority toward the es-
tablishment and maintenance of free
dom and equal rights in their States.
Others, like General Lee and General
Johnston, who have not made any
such promises, yet have quietly en-
tered upon useful industries, with the
open declaration that while they do
not like the issues of the war, yet they
mean here after, while they stay in the
country, to be law-abiding citizens.
Now, In this state of affairs we think
it the part of wisdom in us, the strong
er side, to eschew all mere measures
of revenge. We are conquerors by
arms, but we can afford to be con-
querors also by kindness. Southern
men profess publicly their readiness
to do right-how can we spurn these
professions ? Even if we do not alto
gether believe in them even if we
believe that faults of temper and
wrong theories of social life may so
far embarrass them that they will not
at once come up altogether to our
hopes and expectations-can we not
do more with them by trusting them,
by throwing the responsibility upon
them, by holding them to their pro
misses, than by embittering them i?
Speaking as himself Southern man,
the President said
'"The issue has been made and de-
clded; then, as wise men-as men who
see right and are determined to follow
it, as fathers and brothers, and as
men who love their country in this
hour of trial and suffering can
not we come up and help TO settle
| the questions Of the hour and adjust
them according to the principles of
honor and of justice ? The institu-
ton Of slavery is gone. The former
status of the negro had to be changed,
| and we, as wise men, must recognize
so patent fact and adapt ourselves
TO circumstances as they surround Us.
| lVoices-we are willing to do so. Yes.
sir, we are willing to do SOL I be-
lieve you are. I believe when your
faith is pledged, when your consent
has been given, as I have already said,
l believe it will be maintained in good
faith, and every pledge or promise
fully carried out. [Cries-It will.
All l ask Or desire of the South or
North, the East or the West, is to be
sustained in carrying out the princi-
pies of the Constitution. !.
Are not these words of true Wis
dom ? And wherever we find them
cordially responded to in the South,
is it not wise to give trial to those
who profess their readiness to be good
citizens? Some day or other they
will have to be trusted Is not now
better time than any other likely to
come in the future? Is it for the
public benefit that we should, under
Mr.. Stevens ideas, maintain state
of war in the South ? VIII not re-
turning prosperity, renewed inter-
course, the voice of free press, have
their influence, all potent for good !?
And if South Carolina does not be-
come Massachusetts in six months,
need we be discouraged I? Our work
down there is not that of months, but
of years; it is not to be completed by
armies, but by the spread of know
ledge, the dissemination of correct
principles; by convincing the people
that justice and liberty are profitable.
THE POLISH REBEL11oN.-The more
fully the particulars of the late Polish
rob o11iop cor,oo to 1;pb% %ho ~r.oo%o~