The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-07
COLUMBIA.
Saturday Morning, April z, 1866.

Saturday Morning, April z, 1865.
What we Want.
All that the South needs now is to
be let alone. Let alone in the ma
nagement of her labor-let alone in
her efforts to develop her resources.
With her civil and political rights
guaranteed to her, with no obstacle
or obstruction to the energies of her
people, we believe, to-day, she could
work out her own redemption, re-
trieve her shattered fortunes, and
start on a career of prosperity that
she has never yet enjoyed.
But the radical party will not per-
NIT her to do this. They keep her
out of the Union-out of the frater-
nifty of States which constitute the
republic; they regulate her system of
labor, and do this by military rule.
They keep a people. as loyal and as
true as any within the wide domain
of the American republic, out OF their
rights and privileges, and from their
just representation in the councils of
the nation-and for what? It would
puzzle the ablest political economist
to answer that question. Despoiled,
ravaged and desolated by the fortunes
OF war-her people subdued and ac-
cepting their subjugation in honesty
and sincerity-left in condition
which forbids any idea of a revival of
rebellion against the General Govern
ment- even if they were so disposed,
which they are not-they surely de-
serve sympathy instead of unkind-
ness-aid and encouragement instead
of dead weights and membranes
upon their energies-the fostering
care of the parent Government, in
stead of the wanton oppression of
radical .legislation-and, above all,
they need eqcal civil and politicei
rights with their brethren throughout
the country, guaranteed to them ac-
cording to the provisions and stipula-
tlons of the Constitution, upon the
tm:hful adherence to which, the lives,
fortunes and liberties of the whole
people of America are dependent.
The war is over-rebellion and in
surrection is crushed out-we hope
forever, while constitutional liberty
shields the people. The President
the Chief Magistrate of the republic
by solemn proclamation, under the
great seal of the United States Of
sAmerica, SO declares it. Then must
we not hope that the day of redemp-
s>tion is at hand-that those whose
whole aim is to keep the States dis
united shall, ere long, be over
whelmed in that infamy which they
so Justly merit as a punishment for
their mischievous intents and works?
This dominant faction are fast bring
ing the country into deep trouble;
they are prostrating the energies of
the people South, and the commercial
prosperity of the people North.
Their wicked schemes are evidently
leading the country to the brink of
financial and commercial ruin, and
yet there is not man amongst their
fanatical leaders who could give any
reason for such destructive course
rs they are now pursuing. Will not
the conservative people of this great
and powerful nation rally around their
patriotic President in his noble efforts
to crush this destructive party? we
believe they will
A little over year has passed since
the South was left devastated, her
means of living and producing de-
stroyed, her energies terribly crippled;
and yet, to-day, with all the obstacles
to restoration which surround her,
her people are working with will
aEd determination that predict sue
cass which, under fortuitous circum-
stknces, would surprise the world.
LOT i,o, Sfo&ac Oroo ,>,o,.. l..