The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-04
TN. Convention.

the call for the Union Convention:
This call is signed by Senators
Doolittlc, Cowan, Dixon, Hendricks,
Nesniith aud Norton; by Assistant
PostiiiasterGa General Randall, and by
ex-senator Browning, OF Hi is.
These names give it q certain signifi-
cance and Importance. The plan
proposed is to assemble delegates
from all the thirty six States and nine
Territories. The object is to hold
counsel together, as friends and bro
theirs, upon the present condition OF
our national affairs, and to take mea-
sures to avert possible dangers from
the country.
The principles which the delegates
are to endorse are explicitly stated
They affirm the perpetuity of the
Union, the equality of the States and
the abolition of slavery, and insist
ipon the constitutional right of the
South to immediate representation in
Congress. AS the delegates are to
subscribe to this platform, and to be
chosen by electors of the same faith,
there is no danger that the convention
Will fall into the hands of Southern
fire They, as we'll as the radi-
Gals. are distinctly excluded. Obvi-
ously, the intention of the trainers of
the call is not to rebuild the theories
shattered by the cannon Of Grant,
Sherman and Sheridan, but to effect
a union between the conservative Re
publicans and the more advanced
and patriotic wing of the Demo
cracy in support of President
Johnson and against the radicals.
That such union is consum-
nation devoutly to be wished,
cannot be denied. If it had been
secured III Congress at the opening of
the session, the radicals, rs we have
previously shown, would have been
comparatively powerless and harm
less. 1t failed of accomplishment
there because of the incompetency
of the leaders on both sides, and
especially Of Messrs Brooks and
Raymond, IN the House; and this
movement for u national convention
seems to be all effort on the part of
Democratic and conservative Repub-
llcan Senator's to retrieve the lost
ground. They appear to be in ear
nest; there are indications that they
nre very strongly backed 10y at least
a part of the Administration; and
that something practical may result
, from the movement is evident from
! the irritation and opposition OF the
radicals and their organs. In fact,
under this call for Il consultation is a
! scheme for the organization OF new
national Union party, embracing Ill
conservative men, North and South
Without attempting to discuss, in 4
single article, all the chances for and
/ against such an enterprise, we may
briefly refer to a few leading points
of the matter. We would have pre-
ferred to see this movement practi-
cally inangurated in Congress, and
thence extended, naturally, to the
people, at the fall elections But our
advice was not followed by the leaders
of the Congressional factions, and, at
this late day, having, by their dissen-
slons and divisions, surrendered to the
! radicals every important reconstruct
ton measure, it is with mingled
amusement and interest that we see
them endeavoring to atone for the
errors Of the past and the present by
planning great combinations for the
future. y union in Congress was
easy and practical; the organization
Of new party is difficult, tcdions
and wearisome undertaking. 1t is a
question, also, whether the Demo
Gratis are now as ready for q union Of
forces as they once We're The local
leaders are already rcstive under this
call and protest against it, although
their opposition may not greatly affect
the rank and file, and may be over
come by events. Still, there is always
risk in ncglccting the golden oppor-
tunity, and undertaking to do some
thing upon Il grander scale when the
opportunity to accomplish it easily
has passed. But, on the other hand,
repentance is decidedly Il virtue, and
we are glad to see that even the poll
tlcians can sometimes exercise it.
Messrs. Brooks and Raymond, and
other gentlemen of their calibre, may
still hope to win national reputation
and defeat the radicals, and, in spite
of their past follies, We shall say
nothing at present to discourage them
II the movement for new party does
not como too late; if it is not upon
too grand scale to be successful in
less than half Il dozen wears: if Sc
wards Presidential aspirations are not