The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-24
COLUMBIA.
Thursday Morning, HAY "a, 1865.
Anosher Enxlish Opinion.

-"
Another English Opinton.
We have already given several
articles from English newspapers in
relation to tho present position of
public affairs in this country. The
London Westminster Recieac, one of
the strongest advocates of the Union
cause in England during the war, we
perceive by our exchanges, has in it's
April issue an article headed ''The
United States Constitution and the
Secessionists," in which the whole
controversy is reviewed, and the
course of President johnson sus-
tanned and approved.
The National Lnteasgemce,', in pub
fishing some extracts from this article,
says it is written in the phraseology
of the author from Northern and
essentially Republican or Free Sol''
point of view, butts pervaded with
so calm a temper that it will not fail
to enlist the respect of every Ameri-
can citizen who reveres the Constitu-
ton. After briefly alluding to the
mode in which President J Johnson was
introduced to the vacant Executive
seat, the article proceeds in relation
to the new President as follows:
stMany and bitter were the attacks
which had been made on Abraham
Lincoln. The like were now directed
against his successor. Neither his
origin nor his character was spared.
His future policy was denounced be-
forehand as cruel and sanguinary.
Andrew johnson has given them the
most complete of oil replies-he has
lived them down. He is now known
to the world as one of the ablest men
of the day. 4 His views of
public policy assimilated themselves
more and more, as time went on, to
those of Mr. President Lincoln, and
finally came into perfect agreement
with them. When the latter was
elected President second time, Mr..
johnson was elected with him as Vice
President. It was most wise choice,
for he had shown a rare mixture of
courage and ability. He had re-
manned faithful to the Union, and
being, as he was, a Southern Senator,
the Northerners by such a selection
clearly showed that it was not against
the South, as such, that they were
fighting, but against the violators of
the law and the Constitution. Since
his accession to the Presidency, he
has discharged the duties of his high
Office and directed the policy of the
country with firmness, moderation
and tact which prove him to be a man
OF no ordinary capacity. The work
which Mr.. Johnson and his Govern
ment have had to do has been of the
most difficult and delicate kind. Dan
gers OF the most opposite character
beset the object to which all their
efforts have been directed-that of
reconstructing the Union. If too
great leniency were shown, there was
danger OF losing, in point of fact,
one of the best fruits of the crisis
through which the nation had passed; !;
for TO abolish slavery, and vet leave
the future of the former slaves en-
ti7'ely In the hands of their old mas
ters, would have been to abolish it
only in name. Guarantees were
necessary that this should be a bona
tide abolition, carried into practical
effect.
1T was also just to ask of the
South tangible proofs, in one form or
another, of its sincerity and loyalty
i'll returning to the Union. On the
other hand, it was most desirable.
both as a matter of policy and Of
principle, not to be too severe. or
even too exacting. Such a course
would have been wrong, and would.
besides, have hindered the work Of
reconstruction, which the United
States Government and people earn
estly wished to further; it would,
moreover, have irritated the South.
and indisposed it towards that party
among its own citizens which desired
to return to their old allegiance in all
good faith
The article then goes on to show
that the Washington Government"
has, at least to very great extent
avoided both these opposite dangers;