The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-09
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, December 9, 1865.
The Situation.


One of the sensation correspond
ents of the New York Herald states
that the message Of the President, as
sent to Congress, is very different
from the one which he originally pre-
pared. How much truth there is in
this statement, we know not. 1t is,
however, we think, evident that in
discussing the restoration question,
the President was careful to use no
language which could Justly offend
his bitter enemies III the two Houses.
A special telegram in the Baltimore
San says that "the even temper of
the Presidents message is having IN
excellent effect, not in behalf Of oon-
ciliation, but in behalf of the dignity
and sef-respect of the House as
legislative body" And the debates in
the Senate upon several questions
which have arisen, indicate that that
body may, perhaps, be expected to
be less radical in its measures than
Stevens and Forney's threats have
led US to fear it wauld be. The Ma
tional Republican declares that, accord
ing to the official reports of the pro-
ceedings Of the Senate and the House,
on Monday, Sumner and Stevens
''were discarded as leaders, that
sFtheir lead was squarely declined by
vote of both Houses on
suffrage in the District, and Stevens
in his attempt to prevent the reading
of the message" This assumption,
however, is hardly warranted by the
facts stated; for both Stevens and
Sumner were out-voted at the last
session upon several questions, yet
the radicalism of Congress was none
the less manifest in its measures.
Stevens did not approve of the con-
stitutional amendment, although he
introduced it and voted for it; and
Sumner was left in the minority upon
the question Of the admission of Colo
RADIO into the Union.
The tone of the Northern press
indicates that the message has had a
modifying effect upon some at least
of the radical faction. The Philadel-
phia Inquirer (radicaD says 'sthat the
President has written with candor
and dignity, and with the utmost re-
spect to Congress. It is to be hoped
that this judicious policy Will have
its effect upon members of Congress,
and that whatever may be done CON
trary to the views of the President
will be transacted with calmness, and
without asperity OF passion" The
Philadelphia Butleta" (radicaD says it
is ''gratified with the moderation,
and with the respectful tone which
he maintains toward the coordinate
branches Of the Government. y" The
New York Times, which is now radi-
cal, applauds the Presidents ''good
temper, but not his "good taste. "
The Tribune counsels kindness, patti
ence, and charity, though it sees no
thing i'll. the message which ''any
loyal man can read with comfort or
hope" The National LueOigence,'
says eve are under no apprehen-
sions about Congress territorializing g
the South" Governor Pierpoint
assures us in his message that, how
ever it may be with the other States,
Virginia is in no danger of being sub
jected to this harsh treatment. But
the resolution passed by Congress
includes Virginia in the list of States
for which it is proposed to establish
territorial governments. It must be
confessed that, to take the most hope
full view of the situation, our politi-
cal condition is deplorable one
A NEGRO COMMITS TWO MrRorRS