The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-04
COLUMBIA.
Saturday Morning, May a, 1867.
Convention or no Convention.

which, Of course, will be generally
read; but, at the same time, we must
be permitted to send forth with it to
our readers our Own convictions in
relation to the question discussed
and the arguments the writer has
brought forward to sustain his posi-
>tions We take issue with him, both
rs regards his arguments md the
conclusions deduced therefrom. We
sincerely regret that Gov. Perry has
felt it to be his duty, as man promi-
nent in the councils of this State for
many years, to attempt to make this
issue before the people. We consider
it unfortunate, in every respect, that
such ON issue should be made at a
time when it is utterly futile-an
issue which, even IF seriously consi-
dered and the position of its origi-
nator endorsed by a portion of the
people, can only be productive of a
useless and damaging discord. where
perfect unity is desirable. AS mat
ters now stand in this State, as far rs
our observation extends, the people
seem determined to comply with the
provisions Of the bill commonly
called the Reconstruction Act, and
which, until its provisions are COM
piled with, subjects them to mill
tary government.
We will pass over the Governors
reiteration Of his own consistency in
political life-all admit it; and al
though that uniform, straightforward
course throughout was mostly ut
variance with the political tenets of
the people OF South Carolina and the
teachings of her great leaders. yet
his remarkable adhesion to his hete-
redox opinions, "so-called," always
attracted general attention, if not
admiration. We will also forbear
comments on the implied egotism, in
the assumption that he foresaw and
predicted all the dire evils which fol-
lowed secession; for that the results
of the late conflict happened to give
him right to the claim Of true
prophet of evil, cannot be denied.
But suppose these results had been
otherwise-suppose the South had
been able to successfully maintain the
cause she SO manfully espoused, and
escaped all those evils, Gloss of pro-
perty in slaves the absorption or
destruction of other property, and o
thousand other ills which the desc
lating storm Of war heaped upon
her-what then? It was supposa-
BILE case, and had the supposition
been verified, we imagine we would
have heard nothing of the Governors
untoward prophecy. AS it might
have been then, so is it now, only a
little moro SO. Then men who were
possessed of that "dastardly virtue
called prudence" I'VE use Governor
Perry's own words, in the discretion
which that virtue teaches and en-
joins, clearly saw that the United
States was great nation. with bound
less resources at home and abroad;
and that-using d homely phrase
the poor South stood no chance in q
struggle with her-therefore their
course, and therefore their gloomy
representations. Mow, when all
their representations have been full
filed; now, when the South, through,
perhaps, that same "dastardly vir-
tue"-but we won't say what cause
feels that she made a mistake, and
her prominent leaders confess that
she did make a grand mistake, and
consequently urge upon her to re-
trace her steps, and take The only
course LETT her to retrieve her error
they are told that their counsels are
appeals to base fear'-such men as
Generals Lee, Beauregard, Long
street and host of others can afford
to stand that, however-and the
policy they commend denounced rs
criminal folly" ''delusion," &c. We