The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-24
THO Political Situation.

Maryland and Delaware Wlth hen-
tucky in tho list Of States opposed
to the constitutional amendment.
These, with the excluded States, will
make thirteen certainly and firmly
opposed to its adoption. Three
fourths OF all the States being re-
quired to carry this amendment into
effect, its defeat is therefore certain.
Under these circumstances, the 4Su7s
says:
"Should Congress perslsc in its
purpose to keep the States unrepre
sented, we shall have that unaccount-
able predicament upon us of n con-
stitution practically annulled by an
act of Congress, and new feature
engrafted upon the fundamental law
itself, and when it has been explicitly
repudiated according to the provisions
of that Jaw. 1t is unquestionable
that the present Congress will adhere
to its determination, and it is equally
unquestionable that the States viii
adhere to their rejection OF the
amendment What then? tits clear
that the union of these States must
| remain discovered for at least another
year. Assuming that no aggressive
legislation is attempted during the
approaching session, still it cannot
pass over without q great deal Of
angry discussion and heart-burning
| dissension. The natural, the inevi-
table consequences Of such state of
things must be to stagnate trade, to
retard the Development of the in
| dustry OF the country, and to add to
its financial embarrassments by
fastening upon Us for an indefinite
period deprecated paper currency.
To what extent the depreciation may
extend, no one can calculate.
"Could the attention of Legislators
be directed from the angry contest
over the points of irreconcilable
variance to some measures Of practi-
cal relief for the industry Of the coun-
try, their labors might not be in vain.
But it is greatly to be feared that a
baffled majority will be more intent
upon punitive than remedial mea-
sures, and that no measures of prac-
teal relief to the industry and com
merce of the country will mitigate
the countless evils of unrestored
union"
The New York World, OF Monday,
says:
There is story from Washin gton
that Chief Justice Chase and the Pre-
sident have had along talk, the object
Of the Chief Justice being to make
the President turn a somersault and
jump down his own throat. Physi-
cally, that is difficult performance,
but morally and mentally, we have
known politicians by trade to perform
the feat once, twice, and even three
times. We have known . man turn
Roman Catholic from Protestant, and
then turn Protestant again. Some of
the great popular favorites are those
whose facility in these gymnastics is
the most remarkable. We used to
dread Brownlow's coming North, for
he was such rabid pro-slavery black
guard that men instinctiyeIy felt
! everything he favored wrong. Since
he is in the Torch-and- d-Turpentine
line, and is as much blackguard as
| before, with the addition Of hypocrisy
! to blackguardism. he is a sort of ST.
Peter in the political church Of which
Butler is the st. Panl.
The simple question in issue now is,
shall the Government Of the United
States be limited or an unlimited
Government? If man saysit ought
to be an unlimited Government, very
we'll, let him range himself with the
Republican-Union-Radical party, and
help bring about that consummation;
if he says it ought to be q limited
Government, let him stand with the
Democratic party, and oppose every
attempt. no matter under what pre-
text-progress, humanity or equali-
ty-to destroy that principle. 1t is
not given to wisdom or honesty to
succeed at first; in fact, they seem
crushed out for years, sometimes. A
man cannot always make successful
battle, but one thing he always can
do-not help defeat himself.
| If the Democracy Of the West is
OF such feeble constitution that it
cannot stand out in the cold for
twenty years, it differs from the De-
mocracy of New York From the
leaders Of our forces, purchases have
been made; but the rank and file are
Democrats, not because there is some
thing to be made by political faith,