The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-12
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, August IL, 1865.
The Philadelphia Convention.

this body, which assemblies on
Wednesday next, much of the future
In our national affairs depends. We
have advocated n representation of
the Southern States in the Conven-
ton, because they were limited to
participate in it's deliberations; and
secondly, because the object was one
involving the best interests of the
Countrywide overthrow of the radi-
cal party and the restoration of the
Southern States to their rights.
We publish elsewhere an article
from the New York Ne,cS, which we
are pleased to observe is entirely diff
ferent in its tone and spirit from a
former editorial which we took occa-
sion to comment upon. The Ne,cs
takes the same position in the pre-
sent article as that which the Phgni.c
has occupied in all its remarks on the
subject; that is, the Southern repre-
sentatives must take their seats in
that body as equals; and it further
agrees with US, in saying that the
Southern delegates ought not to OBJ
serve strict neutrality on the ques-
tions which the Convention may con-
slider. They have deep interest in
the success Of the objects professed
to be the ruling motives Of its origi-
majors, and as equals they ought to
express fully the views which their
constituents hold on the important
subjects that will be discussed.
We take occasion to say, moreover,
that the delegates from the South
would stultify themselves by signing
any pledges, inconsistent with the
weu-known sentiment of their con-
stituents, as conditions precedent to
their admission as members of the
Convention. The only pledge they
can sign, with honor to themselves
and those they represent, is that of
assent to the object of the call. There
1s wide difference in subscribing to
such q pledge, and subscribing to any
declarations contained in that call, or
to any set Of principles embodied in
the platform of the National Club of
Washington. We do not think our
representatives could honorably sub
scribe to the assertion contained in
one OF the paragraphs of the call,
which Is simply to the effect, that the
purpose of the war was to put down
a rebellion" against the Union and
the Constitution. It was to preserve
these, the call says, the war was waged
by the Government.
We deny this statement and its in
ference, in toto. The Southern peo-
pie never "rebened" against the Con-
stitution; it was for its preservation,
in its original and patriotic entirety,
that they fought, and any declaration
setting forth the very opposite, is
simply untrue, and cannot honorably
be signed by any Southern man. The
OF doctrines of secession, by the terms
the call, must also be renounced; but,
although the doctrine has been put
down and is now Of none effect, we
think there is no necessity for requir-
ing formal Remuneration of a doc
trlne, which, though imperative, has
been long cherished by our people.
The fact is, no humiliating terms
should be exacted from, Or be accept
ed by, the Southern representatives.
In common with the whole people
of the South, we will watch with deep
interest the initiatory proceedings on
Wednesday next. If such men rs Val
landigham are to be excluded from the
Convention, on account of his politi
cal tenets, we do not think any South
ern man will fall below his standard.
That there will be an effort to take
this step, we have some indications,
from some portentous remarks in the
organ OF the President. But we will
hope for the best, and pray for the
success Of the objects of the Conven-
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