The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-06
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, May 6. 1865.
The Country's Appeal to the Presi.
dent.

The count.y's Appeal to the Presi-
dent.
The conservative people of the
United States have the utmost conf
dence in the wisdom, patriotism and
firmness of the man who now occ,l-
pies the Executive chair of the coun-
try. They have seen him inaugurate,
and, struggling against powerful
faction of the enemies of the coun-
try, steadily carrying out the only
plan Of salvation for the Constitution
and the Union. They hear him day
by day maligned and abused by these
bold and bad men, and witness his
marked but dignifed forbearance un-
tinged by the slightest shade of
timidity, and without the least sign
of covering before their bullyings or
yielding assent to their evil machina-
tions. All this, together with his We
toes, his proclamations and speeches,
have inspired them with confidence
which We hope may be abiding, and
which, we trust, will not turn ont to
be misplaced by the people in this
the hour of peril to their country,
her Constitution and laws.
But this forbearance, noble in
itself, may be carried too far. Inac-
ton seems only to invite further
aggressions and abuse, and it now
becomes the President to vindicate
himself and the wise policy he pur-
sues promptly and decisively. One
predecessor in the chair he now occu-
pies, and hailing from the same
State, did not hesitate to act promptly
in driving from his council-board the
enemies of his policy. Let Andrew
johnson follow the example of An
drew Jackson-let him dismiss from
his Cabinet the men who are opposed
to him, and who are aiding and abet-
ting the destructive schemes Of the
radicals. Let him at once dismiss
from every Office or place over which
the Constitution gives the Executive
control, every opponent of restora-
ton and reconstrnction-let him
apply the axe without discrimination
or fear; and although the radicals
may howl fercer and, louder, if pos
sible, than they have done yet, the
mass of the people of the United
States will rally to his support and
strengthen his hands in his noble
work of salvation.
The best interests of the country,
the Constitution, the union of these
States, and even liberty itself, are all
in peril, and to rescue them will
require at the hands of the Executive
prompt, decisive, telling action. He
must act with strong hand and iron
nerve in displacing all who are thwart-
ing the reunion of the States, and
aiming to overthrow constitutional
right. He has already taken the
initiative in the cases of some minor
oaice-holders, but let him begin with
those who among his constitutional
advisers are opposed to the re-esta-
blishment Of peace and unity nd
from them down to the most insight
cant postmaster in New England,
sweep from Office and place, where
they might have chance to do evil,
radical ally, and the country
yhank him for this exercise of
his constitutional privilege and right.
The whole country needs peace,
harmony between all sections, and
unity in support 81 republican insti-
tutiers and constitutional liberty.
The President is the peoples great
federal representative at the helm of
State, and, although the people of
the Southern States are excluded
from the halls of legislation, their
hopes and reliance are centred in his
firmness and patriotism for the pro
lection of their rights and their ulti-
mate rightful participation in the