The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-13
TIE RADICAL PARTY AT THE NORTH.

I'LL lfHDIIAL FI4fGEE AZ IIfE NORTH,
The real nature Of that political organization
known as the "Radical Party'' at the North is,
we fear, not yet fully realized. Men speak of
it as though it were but an ordinary form of
party organization-int the enforcement Of pecu-
liar principles, it is truc-but Of principles in
consistence with the continuance of consti-
tutional government The intelligence Of the
party is addressed as though it were perceptive
of the interests and well-being of the country
1t seems to be considered sufficient to infu-
ence its action to show that its course is de-
structivc of existing institutions; and even
the leaders of that party, or those, at least,
who figure at the head of it, assume the at
titude and purpose to advance the fortunes
of the republic.
These assumptions, We believe, are in rad-
cal rnisapprehension Of the real fact. In every
system, natural or artificial, material or meta
physical, individual or social, there are the two
opposing tendencies to progress and decay; and
it was to have been expected therefore, that such
conflict should occur in the political system of
this country. In representative government
it was to have been expected that the basis of
representation would become widened; that
suffrage would extend and become ultimately
universal; that the power to direct the Gov
ernment would have become located at the
base Of society; that that power, when stirred to
action, would tolerate no restraints upon its
voliion; that it would surmount law, forms,
and constitutions, to the attainment Of its OBJ
jects; and it was to have been expected, also,
that it would certainly be stirred to action; that
it would be moved by ingenious manipulators,
and assuming form and organization, would
roll with desolating force upon the cherished
institutions Of the country.
This fact-so much TO hive been apprchend-
cd, but the possibility and import of which
seems to have been 80 little considered-has
already, we fearS become apalpablc reality. Of
suoh material, power has come to be develop
ed Mt the North which is not in harmony with
existing institutions;-which is not q nor
NAL part of our present political system;-
which has no purpose to sustain existing or
der;-which spreads like fatal disease upon
the State;-which glides TO power not under
the forms of regulated liberty;-but above all
of them, md which tends to erect over the
mortal remains Of this oonfederacy govern
ment simply Of the utterances Of its own ire
gulated nature.
That this is so, the evidences are too abun-
dant to admit Of question. rs it doubted that
that power is from the lowest strata of society
Witness it's organs. There is not one of them to
raise it's voice for justice, the constitution, or
an honorable act. They started by pandering
to q vicious taste. They made their bread
by urging on aggression till they forced us
to resistance, and now make their bread by
urging on to blood and plundor. Witness also,
the AMUSEMENT ofpublio sentiment-the hurnilia-
tionsto which aspirants for Office must submit
their nbnogation of deoenoy and hood--the
practical disfrsnohiscment of reputable men-
such shun the polls as they shun the pestilence
the prescription Of worth-the elevation OF
vulgarity--a faro-dealer and pugilist goes TO
Congress from New York--a negro to the Log
islature from Boston. That it is progressive
and inexorably exacting Of its instruments,
witness the men Of character who were COM
PEELED to fall before 1t in the recent war-Mr.
CUSHING, Mr. DIcKERsoN, Mr.. EvERErr, Mr..
FILLMORE, even Mr. JoHhsoN Of Maryland, and
the miserable BuTLHn,-all regarded as friends
Of tho south,-all raised their voiees in pro.
test against the effort to subjugate oo-equal
states,-and all fe1 before this power, and not
to be trodden under, were forced TO booome it's
instruments. Witness, also, what is said of it
by those still low enough to speak it's SON.
timents. To shrink from oppression is mean
ness; to support the constitution, treason;
TO spare its miserable victims, orimo. Witness,
also, WHAT'S said Of IL by those who, repudia-
ang its exactions, spurn it's power. Mr. SBY-
htouR' Of New York, stood against II to the
ruin OF his every public aspiration, and may
30 well allowed to speak upon this subject TN
Each of the mon OF mind who haye lead In the
revolution which has changed Tho whole aapoct oj
our oonntry has tried to oSeok It's violence OF G.