The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-04-02
COLUMBIA.
Tuesday Morning, April 2. 1867.
Union, Activity VS.. Defiant Indiffer-
ence. 80

There are but few Southern journals
who do not bow to the force of those
circumstances in our political affairs
over which they have no control
there arc but very few who have as
sumed On attitude of indifference
to the events now transpirine
around them. These are events
pregnant with veal or with woe to
our section, and to the State that we
profess to love, for the glorious me-
mories and associations which, for
long years, the ability of her states
men and the prowess of her sons
have invested her with.
The position of this journal is well
known, during the time it has been
published through the dark time
of the struggle for reconstruction
and restoration. It supported the
policy of the President of the United
States in opposition to the measures
of Congress-; we opposed the adop-
tion of the Constitutional amendment
by any Southern State; for, as it was
framed and presented to these States,
they had the power to reject it. But
the measures now pressed upon us
leave no option; we have not the
power of rejection, and, from the
mode in which the policy of those
who made these laws has already de-
veloped itself, we say that it would
be unwise, if not suicidal, to reject,
even if we had the option; for it is
evident from the past, if we had the
option and did reject it, the next
measure of Congress would not be
one of reconstruction" but one of
territorialization-perhaps for an in
definite timc-perhaps until immi-
grafton brought i'll new population,
and, particularly in this State, GUST
ing the descendants of those who
have made her history glorious in the
days of the Revolution, and ever
since then in the field and in the
forIm. Tho measures now in force
do not come to us as q tender of
terms-they come to us as lac, and
MS such must be- obeyed. The talk
of acceptance, or degradation by nc
cepting, is sheer nonsense; there is
no acceptance in the matter, and
there is no degradation in obedience to
lar. Our chief inquiry now is, "What
is our duty under tho "Reminiscences"
and our purpose s. IL be to dis
charge that duty, cv' if in conflict
with our past prejudiccs, sentiments
and feelings.
If there are any in this State who
do not wish to see South Carolina
restored to the Union-rcstored to
her rights and privileges in the coun-
ellis of the republic of which she was
formerly q proud member, which pro-
badly gave to those councils more Of
craftsmanship than any othcr-we
have not discovered them, either
through the medium of her public
Journals or through private inter
course. That the large majority
would not have voluntarily sought
reunion, her muster-rolls during q
four years struggle for independence
amply testify to; but if there be any,
after the failure of that struggle
after the surrender Of their armies by
their tried and trusted leaders-who
still cling to their ancient prejudices,
and refuse to aid in the work of re-
storation and reconstruction, they
are blinded to the interests of their
State and section. The termination
of the conflict proved incontestibly
that the Union is indissoluble, and
the sooner this fact becomes convic-
ton with all our people, the better
for them and for the interests Of their
State.
And now as to the duty Of Carroll
mans in this important crisis. It is
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