The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-07-05
follows (:

WILKES soA
MARTIN. 1874 Z"
WILLIAMS, 53
NORTHERN vs.. SOUTHERN RECONSTRUCTION
The puissant editor of the Sullivan County, (N
w Republican has at length deigned on answer to
an editorial in these columns some weeks since
His learned and satisfactory production will be
found upon the first page of this issue. Undoubt-
edly, were all men of his opinion there would not
be any difference of sentiment! The world, how
ever, is inclined to believe that there are two sides
to every question, the Republican to the contrary
Notwithstanding and when that journal pronoun-
ces its opinions dictatorally and emphatically,
there can be found those who demur to its admin
istration of justice and its caihedra announce
ments between right and wrong. Among this
class, unfortunately, stands the Intelhgencer. We
do not make nm ''ovation'' to the dogmas and her.
esies (as we regard them) of ''all right-thinking
men"-that is the Republican and its party and
consequently have failed to accept very proper
uggestion-accordng to the Rspubhean-in the
magnanimous spirit in which it was given. With
and earnestuess in the premises, we shall briefly
notice the article referred to, and then conclude
this proftless controversy.
The Republican says that had the Southern cause
been zone that could commend itself to justice
and right" it would have succeeded. Where is
the logic of this extraordinary statement? Has
it never been the case, in the history of mankind
that the cause of truth and justice was trampled
under foot? Is the world SO ungenerous and un-
charitable as accord only the need of praise to the
successful antagonist in warfare? Has the Re
publican, in everyday life, never witnessed the
oppression of the weak the tyranny of the strong,
and the defeat of everlasting principles OF truth
and justice? 1t is merely suggested that there is
possibility for the South to have been right IN
her cause, whether prudent and discreet in the
remedy employed or not. The results of the war
did not define the justice involved in questions
antecedent to the war; but, in our humble Judg-
ment, settled forever tho practcability OF seces-
sion Us remedy for wrongs inflicted by the enc
mics of Constitutional Government, yea, by the
identical party upheld by the Republican. And
while the South sought relief in this measure, 1t
was not so much for the actual encroachments Of
this fanatical party-although there is abundant
proof of its progress in that direction-as for an
undefinabe dread Of the abuse Of power by men
who decrecd "higher law" than the Constitution.
The Southern people had been taught to revere
that instrument in all its bearings, and it was their
desire to maintain its provisions unimpaired.
Hence the adoption of almost a counterpart by the
Confederacy This nails the falsehood to the coun-
ter that the "men who inaugurated" secession "do
not believe in o Republican or Democratic form OF
Government" or else the Republican stamps the
Constitution of the United States an aristocratc
instrument of organic law. If the latter, then we
may we'll despair of producing any argument
which will prove the remotest possibility that the
South was right.
But we pass on to the question propounded by
the Republican, as to our belief in the right of Sc
cession. If we had not believed secession to be
an UNQUALIFIED right of the States, then our voice
would never have been raised in its behalf. Many
of the leaders of the Radical party professed the
same belief-the philosophical GREELY, the rhetor-
ical PHILIPS, and oil others of the extreme wing
of the Republicans party believed in the right of
State to withdraw from the Federal compact.
And if they possess the honesty they have always
claimed par excellence in politics. they will not now
declare that defeat and disaster changed their
opinions. Under the Constitution, as it came from
the founders of this Government, we shall always
believe that State has the right to secede under
tbat instrument, as it will emanate from the plant
and plastic hands of the Republican party, there
will be no doubt upon this question-seccssion will
be made nullity Therefore, there is no neces-
sity for the fluent CALCULATIONS of the Republican
in regard to preparation for contingencies, for its
party will certainly require sufficient guarantees
ere they admit the "lost sheep" into their frater-
nal fold
If to exclude the South from representation
while taxing every branch of industry, and main
tanning military rule throughout the boundaries OF
ssrebellion," when peace is effectually preserved
and sustaned-if these are indications Of unfail-
ing friendship and good will, then will the Radi-
cal men of the North live in history as our warm
est friends and most discreet advisers. But the
IntelIqencer is blind and ignorant enough to be-
lieve that these measures intolerant and op-
pressiye and hence applauds the men who have
the boldness and temerity to denounce tbem-thus
nobly stemming the current under which is being
wrecked the political hopes and aspiration of the
American people.
- Pollard of the Examiner, has had another
runpus. He brands certain Samuel James as o