The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-19
A Just Wow OF ..the Re-aetlen.n

ably conducted New York paper, the
Journal Of Commerce, hass h more
candid and just view Of the reaction
in political sentiment in the North
and West. as evinced by the result Of
their elections, than any we have yet
read elsewhere. With this article
our views coincide, for we do not
believe that the reaction indicates
increasing strength to the Demo
cratic party; but merely the sober
second thought of the masses of the
people, who are in favor of peace
and restoration, and who think that
these should be effected as speedily
as possible, irrespective of party
organizations or their success:
Il the continued reaction, as
shown in the recent elections. is in.
terpreted purely as demonstration
in favor of the old-time Democratic
party, it will not only lose its real
significance, but it will be likely to
do quite as much harm as good to
the country. The strong point which
it establishes is, that the mass Of
honest people, who are not bound in
party chains, are sick Of radicalism
and fanaticism IN politics, and in
favor of the Constitution, law and
order, and an early restoration of the
Union, fraternity and prosperity
throughout the country. The Demo
Gratis may come into power, but they
must show less corruption, selfish
ness and devotion to party than has
marked the course of many of their
prominent men Hitherto. if they are
long accepted as exponents of the
will of the people.
The truth is, that the Republican
party became SO strong, compact and
confident, that its leaders felt them
selves unchecked, and men with
extreme views vainly thought that
they could lead the whole nation to
the consummation of their widest
projects, in open violation of the
Constitution, and at the risk of uni
versal anarchy and confusion. AS
these radical leaders advanced from
one step to another, their followers
fell off, their ranks grew thinne land
less enthusiastic, until now the more
thoughtful among them refuse to
bulge another inch in that direc-
ton. They cannot be coaxed nor
driven into the harness again until
the course is changed. If the better
class among the Democrats are dis
posed to unite with them in n sincere
effort atxeformation, their co-opera-
ton can be secured for such dcsil-
able purpose. But the office-seeking
radicals, who betrayed the Demo
cratic party tc its overthrow, will see
an opportunity in this crisis, and
will rush in, if possible, to assume
control of the popular movement. If
it is given to such hands, we may
change fuglemen, but the country
will be no better off than before.
We hope for better things than this,
however; and therefore congratulate
our readers on the auspicious result
of the elections. If it does nothing
more than to divide parties more
equally, and thus operate as check
upon arrogance and partizan pre-
sumption, the effort will not have
been lost.
If the returns from Ohio nre to BE
relied upon, the reaction against
negro suffrage is even more deter
mined than was expected. This de-
mand in favor of the colored race.
has been made with so much denun-
ciatory violence, that it had aroused
the popular antipathies in cores
ponding degree, and it will be very
difficult for any faction to secure
favor for years to come while endors-
ing this measure. Had more mode
rate councils pre- called, The enfran-
chisement of the more enlightened
and better educated portion of the
race might have been secured at an
early date. The persistent efforts to
extend the elective franchise to the
ignorant masses just redeemed from
bondage, without names, home or
habits of self-restraint, has dimi-
nished the prospect of any favor in
that direction during the existence of
the present generation.
One of the pleasantest signs con-
nected with the political change now
in progress, is the satisfaction at the
result which is plainly visible among
the most respectable adherents of the
party whose extremists have received
such n rebuke. We think tllBS the
views we have expressed abSEA will
| meet their hearty aOprOvq1f8 Hon-