The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-17
LET Us BE VI, AND DOING.

What wo want most at this present moment,
is peace. In this all ngreei however we may
differ ns 10 the means best adapted for the
speedy attainment of TINT boon. There ought
to bo by rights, no such difference, as our duty
is very plain. When tho war closed, We were
left at the mercy of tho conqucring power, and
VIC arc still at the mercy Of that power. There
is, therefore, nt this time, it seems 10 us, no
question more impracticnble, and in certain
sonse injurious, than o continued harping upon
and criticising of tho action OF Congress- n daily
iteration of old and hackneyed phrases, that
such and such an nct Of Congress is uuconsti-
tutionnl that Secession 10 at last triumphant
that the Legislation Of Congress has by impli-
cation, at least, acknowledged tho right OF 60
cession, etc., etc. The mooling Of such topics
at this time, can subserve no good purpose.
Nor is this oil. It is positively hurtfu, in tha'
it keeps alivo spirit of irritation and dissnt-
isfaction, and however little such may bo tho
design, the effect is that it will generate per-
sistent though tnoit opposition to tho measures
of reconstruclion. This is very much to be
regretted.
Alrendy we sec tho effect such teaching has
had in those States whero registration has
been in progress, and in some even concluded.
In Louisiana, we find the negroes largely in
excess, because they nvsiled themselves of the
privilege of registration, whereas thousands Of
the whites, foolishly and culpabiy, dislained to
have their names recorded. Weak and short
sighted policy. There is not ono who thus
trifles with his birthright who will not bitterly
repent it. If they injured themselves alone,
we should let it pass. But this is not the case
In staying away from the Office Of registration,
they not only lose sight of their own interests
but, in like manner, of those of their friends
and ;ellow-citizens, Of their State aud their
country. This no man has right to do. He
may exile himself, if no 40 desires. But, as
long as he remains in community, ho owes q
duty to 1t, the performance of which society
has a right to demand.
Such duty at this time is registration; and
we mention this now, in advance of the sitting
of the Boards in this Military District, and
shall frequently recur to the subject, that our
people may be reused to its Importance. In
Georgia and Virginia the case has been similar
to what wo stated above of Louisiana. This
could not have been the case if there was not
either, great apathy on the matter, or positive
opposition to tue present scheme of reconstruc-
tion.
What better means of escape from our
appese' rtiaaG aaG u5}hgfeasionM plan We mean
what better scheme, likely to be carried into
effect None whatever. Considerations of
eIpediency, therefore, no less than Of duty
demand of all of us, to submit, with dignity
and fortitude, to the requirements of the Con-
grcssionai enactmcnts. Any relief from our
present disabilities must come from the peo.
pie Of the North. Our ohafns and chnmping
will only make matters worse-ha. already done
so. II is for US, in this exercise of the high
est practical wisdom, to make the most Of
things as wo 6ud them, and not to exhibit an
impotent and childish frenzy because things
are not rs they were or as we would have
them. Let MS BIO men let US be practicable.
Let us exercise the same common sense here
that VIC bring to bear upon our daily busi-
ness. Our fortunes are shattered enough
already; let us not shiver them utterly BY
rushing upon impossiblities.