The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-01-24
COLUMBIA.
Wednesday Morning, Jan. a, 1866.
The Conflict.

we WOulu iuuCu prefer uOb w OlS-
cuss Federal politics ut this time. It
is not good for the South, we hon
estly believe; but the necessities of
the important juncture require some
comments from Southern presses.
The President is for the restoration
of the States to their appropriate
positions in the Union the Radicals
desire to throw the States hack under
territorial governments, and hold
them as conquered provinces. But
this is not all. The Radicals argue
that the rebels have forfeited every
civil and political privilege that they
cannot now claim anything rs right,
but are dependent entirely upon the
clemency Of their conquerors that
their lands and property have passed,
through their treason, to the Govern
ment, and should be disposed of by
the Government for the benefit of the
freedmen and the payment of the
public liabilities. Their programme
involves the continuance of military
authority, and the exclusion of civil
for despotic rule.
We do not agree with our able CO.
temporary of the Louisville Courier,
that there is no alternative after the
rejection Of the Presidents policy,
but the adoption of that of the Radi-
calls. He is master of the position,
as controller of the veto power, and
as Commander-in Chief of the Army
and Navy. He has the power to en-
force his policy, and, as we say else
where, we believe he can run, the
reconstruction train through.
AS the Louisville Courier says, the
object of the Radicals may be to OBJ
tain possession of the country and
settle it up with Northern men. With
their programme adopted they would
have but little difficulty in doing this,
for they could easily make the condi-
ton of the people so into1erable that
they would be compelled to emigrate.
If their property was not stolen from
them, their anxiety to leave the coun-
try would induce them to sell ut
nominal prices, and the Northern
cormorants would fatten and grow
rich upon their misfortunes.
On the other hand, if the Presi-
dents policy is adopted, the people
and the States will be left to take care
of themselves; their State govern
ments will be retained their mem
bers will be admitted to their seats
justice will be administered, and pri-
vate rights will be secure. TheJ raw
ages of the war will soon disappear,
and its losses be recovered. How can
any patriot, or friend of the South,
hesitate between these policies ? The
one just, statesmanlike and benif-
ncept the other cruel, heartless, de-
AStive and revolving. It is folly
S1e under such circumstances
is criminal to oppose.
1esiasht hay have employed
Ms to bring about this result
Inich we cannot all approve; but
how different would have been the
Cndition Of the South, if, at the
Gse of the war, he had thrown him
into the arms of the Radicals,
Employed the great power in his
carry out their schemes.
on alone should be suffi-
nce every friend of the
much is due the President
hanly and patriotic stand,
: loNs Strong the obligation on our
to sustain him in his great con-
for the restoration of the South.
all, our impression IS that the
buth has to do with Fede-
: the better. The resusci-
Ion OF the South, the development
Yof her great resources, and the means
> to most effectually develop these
&resources, are worth more than the