The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-07-20
Tennss.,e noe J. nIods,.

The following extract from an
article on the so-called reconstruct
ed State" of Tennessee is from the
New York Times. q
Now, we can conceive of no greater
calamity than the multiplication OF
Tennessees rs members of the Anne
rican Union. OF the whole South,
Tennessee is beyond doubt the part
in which the least has been done to-
wards genuine reconstruction. It is
nominally loyal, of course. It is
represented in Congress. It is not
included in the region over which the
provisions of the military govern
ment Acts extend. And yet what is
its condition? Essentially volcanic.
Loyal strength is the result not OF
loyal votes, but Of rebel disfran chise-
ment. Brownlow's authority is con-
tingent upon the application of the
crushing process to the majority of
the people. He is rs absolute in his
sphere us any Of the military COM
manders in theirs, and infinitely more
unscrupulous. He makes laws to
suit his purposes. He interprcts
laws according to the dictates OF his
convenience. He tightens the dis
franchising screw as often rs lie finds
it necessary. and employs the bayo-
net when no less pungent weapon
will carry his point. The result is,
that the State he governs approaches
nearer and nearer to anarchy. No
whore on the continent, save in hap
less Mexico, is life or properly less
secure, or liberty more transparent
mockery. A condition of civil war
really exists all the etime-smotbcrcd,
it may be, but liable at any moment
to burst forth under the excitement
of some sudden difficulty.
No other state of things is possible
so long rs tho Brownlow doctrine of
reconstruction is allowed to prevail.
For period, perhaps, it had its
uses. While the rebellion lasted, any
less rigorous rule might have failed
to keep in check the hostile elements
with which the border States abound
cd. But there is no pretext for per-
petuating i'll peace the iron-handed
administration which was indispensa-
bic amidst the turmoil of war. The
country requires the allegiance OF all
citizens, but this is possible only
when the powers that be cease to
heap penalties upon whole classes.
and to persecutc rs outlaws all who
decline to pronounce their party
shibboleth. Brownlow proceeds on
the notion that it is necessary, day
after day, to pile Goals of fire upon
the heads of the great majority OF the
people, simply because they descry
his acts and seek to thwart his ambl-
ton. y statesman similarly situated
would acknowledge mutual recon
citation as the stepping-stonc to re-
construction; he would see that the
loyalty of State can have no ofli-
clent guarantee, except the attach
ment OF the people; and he would
avoid the fatal blunder of supposing
that the elevation OF his nominees to
power IS Il test Of the fitness OF the
people for the possession of the fran
chise. In word, wise ruler, occu-
pying Brownlow's position, within
the period which has elapsed since
the close OF the rebellion, would have
restored Tennessee to peace, and
placed it far on the road to prospe-
rity. Brownlow, on the contrary, by
pursuing course of which almost
tiendish malignity is the chief charac-
teristic, has alienated class from
class, driven moderate Unionists into
alliance with unrepentant rebels, and
forced his State, rich in natural re-
sources, to condition of despera-
ton, almost of despair
We are glad to SEQ that the eXalta-
ton OF Tennessee as n model State is
depreciated by influential radical
journals. Missouri has tried the pro-
scriptiye policy thoroughly, and the
st. Louis Democrat is not disposed to
recommend its adoption. "Tennes-
Sec" chat print remarks, sis not Il
particularly good pattern for other
States. It's not absolutely certain, !"
the Democrat adds, "that the method
adopted by the loyal men there may
not fail to secure their safety" The
probabilities point in the opposite
direction. There can be no perma-
nent safety in methods which imply
the continued parade of the conquer
or's authority.
Contrasted with the Tennessee sys-
tenn, the reconstruction policy of
Congress merciful and just. Stern
it is, indeed, and despotic for q time,
but 1t opens the door to mildcr
authority, and offers inducements to