The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-21
THE REvULsION OF FEELING.

THE REVULSION OF FEELING.
There are some men who live on agitation
the very breath of their nostrils is revolution.
Nothing is so hateful to them as dull hum-drum
peace. They are "spoiling for fight" and
if the conditions of combat are too unequal for
a fair battle, they court the crown of martyr
dom. These men can be found at the North
and at the South-among Radicals and South
ern Obstructives. But for this class of poll
ticians and agitators, the Southern States might
ere this have been restored, and once more in
the full enjoyment of equal rights with the re-
naming States of the Union. AS it is, we have
had nearly three years of painful and bootless
agitation, and there is great danger in conse-
ouence of this continued opposition to recon-
struction, that the end may be far off yet,
though this, we are glad to say, we do not be-
lieve.
The grounds for opposition have varied from
time to time. Now it was because the measures
proposed were alleged to be unconstitutional;
again, because their requirements were con-
trary to the behests of honor, or contrary to
reason; and, lastly, because by holding off and
practising Fabian policy we shall strengthen
the hands of the Conservatives at the North,
and be ready to profit by the 'revulsion OF
feeling" now said to be in progress at the
North. As one of the proofs of the existence
of the latter, we are told that the tone Of the
Northern press is 'more moderate than it has
ever been before. It deprecates harsh or Sc
we're measures, it advocates restoration OF the
Union, and it shows plainly enough that, al
though it is not ready to break with the Radi-
cal party, it does feel that the continuance Of
Radical dominion is the continuance of dis
cord and disunion, the encouragement of revo-
luton, and the continued decline of political
power and commercial prosperity"
This declaration is clearly based upon the
late gymnastic feat Of the Herald; for the i'm
putation h promptly disowned by the Conser-
vative Republican papers. How much reliance
is to be placed in the political opinions of the
Herald we have already seem A few weeks
ago it was the most Radical of all The Northern
press: the Tribune even was ,ectured by WEN
DELL Phillips and others of his creed, and
told to take the Herald as model for truly
loyal paper. A newspaper that is altra-Radi-
cal one day.. lsuding BUTLER, ASHLEY and
THAppEUs SrSyENs, and bounding them on to
the impeachment of the President; can scarcely
lay clsim to high authority as political
preacher or prophet, if, on the very next day. 1t
turns OF its Radical friends, praises the Presi-
dent, and abuses Congress and the negroes; es-
pecially when we consider that all this wonder
full change of sentiment appears to have been
effected in the twinkliug of an eye, and with
out any corresponding change in the conditions
upon which it might be supposed to depend.
The Herald is thoroughly unprincipled and un-
trustworthy; and they who steer their craft by
its light may find themselves lured into danger
GUS reefs, if not dashed against the rocks, in
which event the demon of the Herald would be
the first to commiserate in scornful laughter
with their misfortunes.
A much more reliable paper, one that has
been always conservative, the New York Times,
in recent article on this Southern Blunder"
of the expected "Revnlson of Feeling" is en-
deavoring to correct this mistake. 1t says:
The leading Radical members have been over
borne by more moderate Republicans, because the
feeling predominant in the party is adverse to
greater severity than is essential to tho compile
ton of thorough reconstruction. Let it be gene
rally understood, however, that other and soverer
penalties are necessary to perfect the work, and
extinguish rebel resistance, and these penalties
will be promptly enacted and sternly enforced. II
confscation OF the estates Of rebel landowners be
found necessary, conhscation will be carried. 1t
has been resisted thus far simply because it has
not appeared indispensable. The same spirit
which led Congress to supplement the very mild
constitutional amendment with the existing laws,
will compel the adoption Of moro Radical schemes,
90 soon as the failure Of the present law shall be-
come apparent.
- ssThe more friendly tone Of the Northern press
admits of a similar interpretation. That which
the Charleston Mercury halls as proof OF change,
the result OF fear, is the effect of belief that, de-
spite all opposition, the loyal elements in the
South, black and white combined will prove strong
enough 10 ensure compliance with the law. This
belief is predicsted on observations and reports
akin to those Of Senator WILSON, touching the
rapid growth at the South OF disposition to abide
by the law in good faith. We hazard nothing in
saving that if this belief thus fostered be not veri-
6ed-if the anticipations Of reconstruction which
have grown up within the last few months be not
fulfilled -"the public press Of the North" will, un-
der the twin impulses OF duty and self-interest,
quickly dispel the delusions cherished by those
who imagine that they may defy Congress and it's
laws with impunity.
"We do not accept Mr. HERsoHEL V. JOHNSON as
more than the exponent of q certain class OF
Georgia poliicians-not Of the Southern people;
nor do We regard the Charleston Mercury as q rep
resentstiye organ of Southern newspaperdom.
Both are noticeable only as indexes OF particular
difficulties to be encountered at the South, as we'll
before as after reconstruction. They are reasons
for making the work thorough rather than for
despairing Of its success"
We believe the object we aim at, restoration
and peace, must be brought about by other
means. We cannot change the temper Of the
Northern people, or their opinions on the lead
ing topics of the present controversy. This is
specially the case as regards the negro. We
arc free to say that we consider the universal
of the negroes great politi-
cal misfortune, and the reverse of wisdom. But
we believe that we brought this calamity in
great degree upon ourselves, and such as it is,
it will remain The status of the negro is fix
ed, and will be maintained, do what we will.
If we want peace, we must begin by practis-
ing the virtues of peace, and if we would 60
back to the Union, we must do so upon the
terms prescribed by those who have it within
their power to give or to withhold us permis-
sion to do so. We can never obtain it upon