The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-07
To the Citizens OF South carolina.


dent of the National Union Club for
the State of South Carolina, I ear
nestly invite your attention to the
call fora National Convention, issued
by the Executive Committee of that
body, md recommended by many of
the most eminent and patriotic mem
bers OF both branches of the present
Congress.
The Importance Of this meeting,
and the beneficial consequences to
result from it, can scarcely be exag-
Serated. Separated as we have been
for the last five years from all COM
mlnication with the people of the
North and West; knowing but little
of their opinions, except as expressed
through the unjust and oppressive
action of the bitter partisan majority
which ut present controls the Nation
t al Legislature, this is the first oppor
tunity which has been offered us to
take free and equal counsel with
those who feel impelled, by sense
of high patriotism, to oppose the un-
Just schemes of the radicals in their
systematic effort to Cypress and hu-
initiate the people Of these States,
and defeat, if possible, the recon
str1ction of tue Union indefinitely.
The address states clearly the princi-
! pies upon which We are expected to act
III common, and it seems to me there
ls not one to which this State cannot
subscribe in honor and with sincerity.
We simply recognize those results
! which tho events OF the late war have
placed beyond the bounds of any
future political discussion, results in
/ which we have unanimously and sin
cerely acquicscel, and in conformity
to which we have already modified
| our Constitution, our legislation and
| our political sentiments. W. are
invited to join in an acknowledge
mcnt Of the wisdom of that policy
by which Andrew johnson, President
OF the United States, has, in the
midst OF difficulties unparalleled in
the history Of any Administration
maintained the integrity of the Con-
stltntion, identified the exercise of
the Executive power with the rules
OF strict justice and the spirit of
mercy, and proved his legitimate
right to succeed the great founders of
the republic us the Chief Magistrate
OF 4 common country, which can be
made and preserved as one nation
only by the equal administration of
just and equal laws
The purpose of the Convention will
be to organize. upon the principles
set forth IN the committees address,
all conservative men OF al sections,
and OF a!l former parties, and, il pos
slblr, drlvc from power that radical
! party Who are daily tranpling under
loot the Constitution. and fast CON
vertin& a Constitutional Republic into
Il consolidated despotisn.
Inc Srent mass of the people, North
and West, have no higher interest in
party than through it to secure the
wise. enlightened, Just government
oi the country, and when organiZa-
ton IS effected and the Presidents
enlightened policy of reconstruction
IS presented for their approval or
condemnation, there can be little
doubt that he Will be triumphantly
sustained. and our rights us equals in
4 restored Union fully conceded.
/ The compact organization of the
conservative men is II necessity to
meet successfully the well-orcanizeI
bands of tho radicals, and every man
Who disapprovcs of the tyrannical
and unwiSe policy Of the latter, should
JON IN this national patriotic league
to defeat them.
We aye without representation in
both houses Of Congress; neither our
Opinions nor condition can beofi-
cIallv known to the country; unjust
and discriminating taxes are imposed
on us IL people sadly Impoverished
by the cal;,mities Of the last five years
!:.d We are allowed no voice of pro-
test even III the councils Of thenatlon.
Our loyalty TO The Government of the
United States is impugned in the face
OF or oahs oi allegiance, taken so
Z lcmuly and in good faith, and the
poor privilege OF an official denial is
withheld. We are threatened with
dlSiranclllscmcnt and being rcmanded
to territorial condition. and we arc
to he denied all the rights and privi-
lcScs dear to an American, and con-
stcrated by th" blood OF the heroes
Of lllG. until We subscribe to terms
too degrading and huniliating to be
.pt mel by , fr.,,no,, e., ;,,ll