The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-22

and slmphtied the politics OF the i'm
mediate future. It has constructed
bridge for the President, which en-
ables him to act efficiently and boldly
with the friends of his policy, and
has united them in q compact, organ
lied, indomitable mass. Doubtful
voters can no longer be deceived.
Nobody can again be made to believe
that he is supporting the President
while voting for the candidates of
radicals. Hereafter, every man who
is not with the President is against
him. 1t is now contest in which
there can be no neutrality, and in
which every man who opposes the
President will be branded as dis
unionist.
The New York San says:
Of the principles which the Con-
ventjon announces as their platform,
there can be but one opinion, in the
minds of men whose opinions are not
warped by partisan feeling It is
strictly loyal throughout, true to the
Union, true to the Constitution, and
true to liberty. It declares emphati-
cally that the Union is indissoluble;
that mo State or Convention of States
has the right to withdraw from the
Union There is not word i'm the
platform that can be construed into
palliation of the rebellion, and, in
endorsing this feature of it, the
Southern delegates renounced the
right of secession, now and forever.
The seventh section of the platform,
which relates to the question of
slavery, gives the radicals no ground
for fault-finding upon that point. 1t
declares that slavery is abolished and
forever prohibited, and there is
neither design nor purpose on the
part of the Southern States that it
should ever be established upon
the soil or within. the jurisdiction of
the Southern States This language
puts the South upon an unmistaka-
BILE record with regard to slavery, and
leaves no foundation for cavil on the
part Of Northern men. The status
of the freedmen, as declared by this
platform, also disarms criticism:
The enfranchised slaves, in all the
States Of the Union, should receive,
in common with all their inhabitants,
equal protection in every right of
person and property What more
than equality with the whites, in re-
spect to the rights of person and pro-
perty, can the freedmen expect?
They must have the ballot, it may be
said. The platform makes no objec-
ton to that, but it declares that all
the States have the constitutional
right to prescribe the qualifications
for the elective franchises right
which has never, until recently, been
disputed. The platform also declares
that the Government is under no obi
CATION to and never will assume the
rebel debt; the national debt, how
ever, must be held sacred and invio-
liable; and that it is the duty of the
National Government to recognize
the services OF the Federal soldiers
and sailors in the conflict just ended
The Richmond Times, after object
ing to one or two of the declaration
OF principles, adds:
After long civil war, which was
waged with unusual ferocity and vim
dictlveness, we could not have eX-
pectcd greater unanimity of senti-
ment than that which marked the
late Convention. We must submit to
some difference of opinion with our
friends, or become the sport of the
revolutionists and the yassals of the
freedmen.
If the principles of the conserva-
tive party are acceptable to the
Northern people, we shall very soon
be restored to all of our political
rights.
In spite, therefore, OF the character
OF some of the resolutions, the peo-
pie OF the South have every reason to
consratuiate themselves upon the
complete success of the first National
Convention which has been held for
SIX years. The position Of our dele
gates was most embarrassing one,
but the policy of reticence and eau
ton was so obvious that we rejoice
they did nothing which was calculat-
ed to produce dissension.
An officer who greatly distinguished
himself in the wars upon our from
tiers was once asked to sum up the
duty of q. soldier. His reply was,
"Io fight hadians." Until their grasp
upon our throat is relaxed, we should
regard all conventions, platforms and
addresses merely rs weapons for the
demolition of radicalism. When that
party is routed and put to the sword,
we will hang up our bruised armor