The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-16
Who Yields the Magic Wand:

VINO Wfelds the Magic Wand:
That there are some wonderful i'll
huences at work in Congress to pro-
mote the measures of the dominant
faction in that body, cannot be de-
MED. In the Senate, once body
above reproach, even the sad specta-
Gle is presented Of men. occupying
high and honorable position, tame
ly submitting to the dictation of un-
scrupulous partisans, and soiling
their Senatorial robes with the filthy
slime of partisan corruption and de-
graduation. Forswearing their obi
cations as Senator's, they have lost all
sense of shame, and boldly avow that
the interests of the country are
nothing when compared with the in
terests and success of the party with
which they are identified. 10 the
American people it must present a
very saddening spectacle, and beget
the most serious apprehensions for
the future of the country.
In the report of the debate in the
United States Senate, on Wednesday
last, in discussing Mr.. Doolittle's S
! amendment to the reconstruction
plan of the Senate, we find the fol-
lowing paragraph:
"Mr. Sherman said he believed MI.
Doolittle's amendment was right in
principle, but he should vote against
it, because he felt it his duty to sus-
tain the action agreed upon by his
political friends
Right in principle" bit yet this
time-serving politician would not vote
for 1t, and not only would not vote
for it, but shamelessly avows his re-
creancy to all his obligations as /. Sc
nator, and his duties as :. member of
the highest legislative body of the
Government. The question natural
ly arises in the mind of every man,
how is this subserviency to party in
terests, even on the part of able and
experienced Senator's, obtained? We
do not know. Somebody wields the
sceptre, and with such power as to
crush out the honest convictions of
the human heart. The tcrgiversa-
tions of members OF both Houses
| during the present session of Con-
gress abundantly proves this. Sc
nators and members will speak clio
quently, and urge the most potent
arguments against amy given mcu-
sure, yet, when it comes to the final
test, theY rofe "Ah lie p'uty on til.
| other side The reins Of party disci-
pline must be held by Al firm hand,
when they swcrve men from that
path of duty which their conscicnces
dictate and their high obligations i'm.
pose. God help the country sub
iected to such unscrupulous law
! makers.
| There are others less bold. in both
| Houses of Congress. than the Senator
| quoted, but, although they may feel
/ that the radicals are running the
! country, they only show the effect OF
party training and discipline IN Meu
zotes. But Senator Sherman has no
such timidity in his composition. Ht
treats as nothing his obligations and
duties as Senator, while he con
siders his party ties as everything
But it must run in the blood of tn,
Sherman family TO be thus unscrupu
lous and shameless in their pnbli,
acts. Columbia can testify to thi.
moral obliquity in ono brother. while
the bold declaration of the other
brother, quoted above, demonstrate
this obliguity to be n ''family
failing"
The death of General Cass, of soft
ening Of the brain, is daily expected