The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-25
The sc,aier.' Aaares, to eli. Country.

present Juncture In polltlcal affairs, we
subioin the closing paragraphs of the "Ad-
dress to the Country" issued by the Cleve-
land Convention. We shall have some re-
parks to make on this interesting docu-
ment hereafter:
When Congress first assembled, they had
acquired temper toward the National
Government as hoalthy as 1t was possible
for any people to attain after such con-
fiict and such experiences. In this respect,
the result OF the war was uucXampled in
the history OF nations. Their disposition
was evinced by their acts. They had, upon
the requirement OF the Communicating
Chief, surrendered every position which
could truthfully be deemed hostile to the
Government, and by LIS advice, not under
his compulsion, they went further, and in
common with the loyal States, ratified
constitutional amendment, which forever
abolished slavery, and gave to Congress
the power, by appropriate legislation, to
prevent its establishment. They might
have conceded still more: but month after
month passed without action, and mean
time they were subjected to military GO
vernmcut. No system WAS ev,r better
adapted than our National Government to
the performance of the dnties for which it
WAS designed: no Government could BE
less adapted to the regulation of affairs in
subjected nelShboring territory. Mis-
takes, injustice, even fraud, inevitably
mingled with and marred its operations
through distant agencies, and these have
produced their natural effect. The pro-
lonSed exercise of such functions can only
injurc it-has already injured ourselves.
We cannot afford to alter tho spirit of our
great national system, and by centraliZing
render two Governments of this Union.
hateful to the people OK all tho States.
North and South alike; but the evils of our
DreSent mistake n1 in fho rpf,c
OF function for which the Government
was never designed, do not wait the slow
development Of time. Their effect upon
tn" subjected South is daily disaster.
we are training future citizens by the
worst possible instructions, AMI every
mQsstil + persistence makes the evil palmer
10 US 1t Is manifest: that, undcr the eX-
perienccs OF this delay, and OF unrepubl-
can life nnder military constraint, tho
temper Of the people has bcco.Ae much
less comnendable than it was at the con
clusion of active hostiiitics; that the work
OF true reunion has grown more difficult:
that pcrls of our condition only increase
1t. 1t IL FOR You, therefore, to ask whether
the reasons for this delay arr. sufficient
and whether the new conditions impose ed
by Congress arc likely to prove a final re-
nlcdy. The manner IL which these. condi-
tons. III tGc form ot an amendment to the
National Constitution, have been present
Ell, not only to the people of the South.
but 70 the nation, = without precedent
For the tlrs: time III the history of this
Government, propositions without conncc-
ton nave been united in enc amendment.
and the people have been denied the op-
paItnn!ty of free choice concerning each.
The first section II this single article de-
fines citizenship OF the United States. The
second lays down the basis of representa-
tion. Th" thir! is in the following words:
y" person shall e Il Senator or Repre-
sentative III Congress, or clcctor uf Prcsi-
dc!.. and Vice. President. or hold ary office
clv!l or military. under the United States
! or under any State. who, having previously
taken Al! oath. IS Il member Of Congress,
or As All officer Of the United States, or as
member of any state Legislature, OF as
an executive OF judicial officer of any
state. to support the Constitution OF the
United States shall have engaged in insnr-
rrcll"n OF rebellion against the same or
given aid or comfort to the enemies there
!ot BAT Congress may by L vote of two
I thirds ot each House. remove slch dis
ability.
lI'" effect of each of these utterly DIS
connected propositions Is made t. depend
upon the acceptance or rejection of the
whole 1t seems iucrrdl!l. that those who
insisted upon thus connecting them could
have expected that they would be ratified
lhc Southern people. after following their
political leaders INTO the late struggle an!
sharing the risk OF their fate through four
wears @: terrible war, A.. called upou To
aia the proScriptinn. Whatever punsh-
mrnt tn-lr leaders may deserve at the
hands oI the tiovcrIlcut. it is unintcl ll-i-
bic that statesmen should have dreamed of
asking their associates nnH followers to
lnfilct that punishment upon them, cspc-
c!a!iy punishment of lasting; disgrace
more terrible tlau any which the Guvcrn-
in>nt itself II authorized to impose. Ii, in
the midst pt their In. D,,nl,. If Z ,,