Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-02-21
From the Richmond whig, February $.
The South.

( General Sicklcs, now in command of the
military department of South Carolina, has
lust issued, says the Philadelphia Ledger, his
" General Orders, No. l." directing what shall
and shall not be done in- that State, in many
important particulars. As to the justice of
his directions, we have no remarks to make,
but the tone of his "orders" sounds very like
that of the decree of an absolute monarch.
In many respects the order regulate matters
that belong exclusively to the law-makipg
power and to the civil tribunals, and, as the
President has recognized the preseat State
GOVERNMENT of South Carolina IS being in
full operation, it is difficult to understand
why General Sickles intervenes. Such an
occurrence goes to show the vexatious un-
certainty of everything in the Southern States
while they arc kept in their present anoma-
lous position. They are recognized by the
President as being restored to their right to
regulate their own local affairs By their Leg
islature and Executive officers, and yet q
subordinate of the President may step in and
override not only the powers of that Legisla
ture, but the decision Of his ewn superior,
the Prssidant himself The people are thus
subj mpa local oyernments conflicting.
81 tEffd IS eTsrtsd through pfopcsea
lslation in Congress. The confusion, distrac-
ton, division and disturbance to which such
state Of affairs pust lead will strike the
plainest understanding Such condition
must unsettle every relation of life, interrupt
business, check enterprise and industry, and
do damage in ell directions. No man can
undertake any affair of q business character.
for lie cenuot tell whether his contracts will
last from hour 10 hour, or what tribunal he
is subject to if any difference arises between
himself and those be is dealing with. This
is one great reason why there is SO much
StaguGlion in some of the Southern States.
It would be botter to bave any sort Of gov
ernment, so that it should be one govern
ment, steadS in its character, and settled iu
its policy, than to be thus subject to 50 many
conflicting authorities, no matter how good
the intentions of the latter may be. 1t is
this same disturbance and clashng of 50
many authorities that misleads the freedmen,
and prevents them from going to work with
the heartiness and good will Of luborers else
where. i is well known, from the report Of
General Grant and Others, that they are un-
der the -delusion that they are to receive free
lands, OF get support, somehow, from the
government. Gen. Howard and some Of his
officers have tried to disabusc their minds on
these points, but can they be blamed for be-
ing puzzled and hard OF belief about the
matter, when they find Congress discussing
Auestons,about giving few efthem land,
and when they find the subordiuates of the
President treating with contempt the govern
ments which have the sanction of the Presi
dent? II will never be better while the
Southern States gre kept in their present un.
settled and uncertain condition. Nor will
the people of those States ever be able to go
to work safely or earnestly in the pursuits Of
peaceful industry until the Presidents policy
is adopted.