The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-02-17
COLUMBIA.
Saturday Morning, February II. 1866
COLUMBIA.
,se,-The nth OF Fcbruary-1sse.

lSe5-Thc 17th OF Fcbruary-ISSS.
The return of this day-the fatal
18th of February-brings with i'll
many sad associations-many painful
memories to the people of Columbia.
On this morning, in the year 1865,
the sun rose upon their city, in all its||
completeness and natural beauty, and
although the sounds of war had beenl
all around us for many hours preced-|
ing, yet Columbia stood that morning.
in all its fair proportions, one of .the'
loveliest cities in the Union. Thel
rising sun of the following day rose|
upon mass OF smoking ruins, and a!
forest of chimnies throughout the
entire length Of the city. Thousands
of houseless wanderers were seem
scattered all over our streets, our!
parks and felds-the whole of the|
worldly possessions left them being|
that which they had on their backs.
For four years we had heard of war,
we had read of war-we had suffered
some privations and endured some
hardships. and many family circles
mourned friends and relatives who!
had fallen on distant battle fields i
but until that fearful night, the 20, 900!
inhabitants of Columbia had not re-
allied what war was, nor the ruinI
and desolatien it brings in its train.
We became familiar with them,
however, on that disastrous night,
and we feel assured that not manv|
witnesses of the scenes then present.
ed, will ever seek to enter upon an
other conflict, that would provoke al
repetition of them. The twelve|
months which have elapsed, since ourI
great calamity, have seen the triumph
of the arms of the Government, and|
through that victory have brought
peace to our country-a peace which,
we trust the Great Ruler of nationsI
will not permit to be disturbed for all
time to come. Hostilities have
ceased on the field, and between the
armies formerly arrayed against each
other; and. although the ''peace" wei
speak of is not yet perfect; although
a factious majority in Congress-
would still feed the baleful of sec
tional discord, yet we have an|
abiding faith in the omnipotence of al
msrgcoif631dl go61dl Pnd ro1, ard believe that, under
.o'ios snce, through the I'M
Ls2sss1tifIi5 81 aS:e.s tsifIi5s offlthe frmness and
patriotism of Andrew Johnson, ana
the growing conservatism of the peo7
pie, the schemes of those men who
seek to keep the countrv disunited,
will be brought to nougnt, and that
our people will be one in spirit, one in
thought, and one in making the great
effort not only to restore her to her
former condition, but to put her on al
career of greatness and prosperity, !,
unprecedented in her own past histo-
ry, and unexampled in that of any
ther nation on the face of the earth.
All this can and will be accomplished,
If justice, wisdom and patriotismI
assume and hold their legitimate
sway in the councils of the nation.
May God speedily 'vouchsafe to usI
Sbe Inauguration and completion off
this desirable condition of our publicl
affairs.
we are free to say that the peoples
OF the States lately in revolt against
the Government of the United Statesk
have, since the cessation of hostilities. I
under the suggestions and directionE
OF the Chief Magistrate of that Coz
vernment, and under the convictions
OF duty to themselves and their coun-S
try, come manfully up to the greatH
worl> Of restoration. Having stakedE
their all upon the issue they madeE
with the Government and lost-like al
brave and true people, they have ac- 8
cepted the result in sincerity; thew 3
have returned to their allegiance, &
1t may not be cheerfully, but with an b
honesty of purpose that is not doubt.
ed by the good and true in any sec 8
ton, or by any whose opinion is worth -
haVing. True, there are bitter memo 81
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