The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-22
Some Plain Talk.

tWenty-tour years Ago-we foresaw
that the Abolitionist fanatics would
eventually work out their schemes.
They did it. We now revert to this
reminiscence to show that our pre-
dictions are worthy of consideration.
The following article, from the
Chicago Iribmte, no doubt foresha-
dows the policy which the extremists
of the North intend to pursue, if
they can secure the strength to carry
it into effect. 1t embodies all that
hate and malignity can possibly de-
sire, and consults no interests but
that of negroes, who have not the
slightest wish to be made objects of
hostility 10 the white population
among whom they live.
On this subject, we quote from the
Chicago Tribune:
"The recent elections have won
derfully cleared the political atmos-
phere. They have pointed out line
of procedure which we hope to see
promptly followed out in the coming
session. In the first place, Congress
should assert its sole right to adjust
these questions, by setting aside the
illegal Governments now in exist
ence, and put into operation by the
President.
''In the second place, it should
ma Ike treason odious by asserting the
full power of the Government over
the life, property and franchises of
traitors, and over the very territory
Of insurrectionary States, which, by
persistent rebellion, have forfeited
their rights under the Constitution 4;
and by teaching the South that for
whatever leniency they receive they
are solely indebted to the mercy and
forbearance Of the Government, and
can demand absolutely nothing as q
right.
''It is not necessary to shed blood,
or even to enforce confscation, in
order to assert and vindicate these
principles SO vital to the republic.
Not less important has it become to
proclaim the right of the loyal men
of the South, without distinction of
color, not only to the protection of
equal laws, but to a participation in
the elective franchise in the forma-
ton of new Governments. All this
may be accomplished by calling cleo
tons for constitutional conventions
In the various sunreconstructed States,
and prescribing the qualifications of
voters in such elections, as Congress
has the undoubted right to do.
"All men of lawful age, white or
black, should be invited to partici-
pate IN these elections, and their
right to participate should be main
tanned by force, if necessary. The
delegates SO chosen, meeting in con-
vention, would form Constitutions to
be submitted to the people of their
respective States for ratification or
rejection, and these Constitutions
would, of course, ixthe qualifications
OF electors. Governments would be
formed under these Constitutions,
precisely as in other Territories; and
1t would then be for Congress to pass
upon these Governments, and to re-
cognize them, if found to be repub-
lican in form.
''This plan of reconstruction will
remove all difficulties that have here
tofore stood in the way. It would
prove speedy, safe and complete. 1t
would be distasteful to the traitors
and rebels; but that is not reason
why great and necessary public mea-
snres should be postponed. Itwould
place the power, at once and perma-
nently, IN the hands Of the majoritu of
the people Of The South, and render
future secession and State Insured
tions impossible"
The comments we desire to make
on the above article are similar to
those we have made on several occa-
sions. The North Carolina Standard,
q week or two ago, warned its readers
against any doubtful titles of pro-
perty-dou6yul alluding to persons
of secession procliyities, who held
the property during the war. We now
say to our readers, that the programme
IN the above is most likely to be car
RED out, and let those interested
stand from under.