The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-18
CHI A ES TON.
MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 18, 1867.
SENATOR sHEKn1AN,s RESOLUTION.

| MONDAY MORNING., MAhCa TO- Ioo''
SENATOR sHEKhAN's RESOLUTION.
We recognize in the resolution Of Senator SHER-
MAN relieving Governor BROWN, of Georgia, and
Governor PATTON, of Alabama, from the disablll-
ties of the Reconstruction Act, the return Of bet
ter anl kinder feelings, and an indication that the
Government is willing to trust those who' however
firm and active in the discharge OF what they con-
ceiyed to be their duty during the war, have ac-
cepted the results Of that war as final, and are
willing to give their ability and influence to the
completion of the only settlement which seems
practicable. And whether we consider the devo-
ton with which they did their duty to the Confed-
eracy while it lasted, or tho spirit In which they
have declared their readiness to do their duty to
the Union as it has been restored, no two public
men are better entitled to this relief But We can
not help thinking that both in their own interest
and in that Of the country it is very questionable
whether such an exceptional position is an adyaa-
tage, whether the object which the Government
has at heart, and which men like these can 80
efficiently serve, will be furthered by separating
them from the thousands in the South who acted
with them in the past, and who can act wisely and
efficiently with them at present, and thus rendering
them liable to the suspicion, it not to the charge,
of being Influenced in the advice they give, by tho
personal benefit which such advice may seem to
| bring them.
The Reconstruction Act is hard measure to q
conquered people. The interest, the good sense
| the manly resolution to meet the consequences
of great failure, may control the Southern people
| to accept it. And in time, when VIC become ia
milar with the new ideas and realize the broader
development of thought and enterprise which that
system inaugurates, wo will become reconciled to
this new fe But it is idle and useless to attempt
to disguise the fact that we submit to necessity
and like wise men are endeavoring TO make the
| best of very disagreeable position. Our people
need to be educated to their new duties, to be
taught how to use the conditions of this sudden
and radical resolution in their thoughts, habits
and interests. There is large and most respccta-
| bic class Of men who will be slow hoth to learn
and to unlearn, and it is Of great Importance to
our unfortunate section that this lesson should be
learned quickly. The men who have hitherto en-
loved the public confidence con be Of incalculabe
service in bringing about this resolute and intei-
gent perception of the truth. But their influence
depends upon one conditon-the people Of the
South, whom they advise and hope to influence,
must feel sure of their perfect disinterestedness
We do not care how wise these men have become,
how frankly they may recognize the mistakes
which they have made, the people will neither
listen to nor regard them If this change Of opin-
ion is to result in their personal Advancement and
in their being made exceptions to the penalty
which men as wise and good, as well entitled to
the respect and confidence Of the country, must
pay for their participation in the past. - =.
If tie body Of citizens disfranchised by the pro-
visions Of the Reconstruction Act, could and would
say to the people whose confidence they have
shared, that they we're honestly of opinion that
true wisdom and patriotism required q frank &c
-ceptance of the Conditions Of this Act, and the
early reorganization of the State under it's provi-
sions, no more powerful agency for the settlement
of this question could be found would be needed
Their disfranchisement would be the guarantee OF
the honesty of their conviction, and the unsefsh-
ness of their advice. But the only reward that
such men can or ought to receive is the conscious
ness Of painful duty faithfully performed, and
the confidence and affection Of those who are to
profit by their sacrifice
There is, it seems to us, but one argument that
would Justify this exception, and that s, that the
men so excepted are by their virtues, their ability
and their influence necessary in the work of re-
construction. Is this SO? In the first place, II
cannot be denied that such virtues and such ability
will command as large and as wholesome an lnfu-
ence out Of Office in it. In the next place. the dis
anchisement clause does not limits very fail choice
for members Of the Legislature, and the subordi-
nate executive and judicial officers Of the State
In this State we think fair selection still remains
open for members Of Congress although perhaps
not for Senator'S, but it must also be remembered
that as far as members Of Congress and Senators
are concerned, the relief from the disability Of the
Reconstruction Act, does not relieve from the ne
cessity Of the official test oath and that as long
that remains OF force the relief from the disabii-
ties of the act will scarcely enlarge our choice.
The greatest practical disadvantage under the dis
abilities of the act will be the effect upon the Ju
dicial officers Of the State. It will be not only
embarrassing but injurious to the best interests Of
society 10 remove our present Judges, especially
as nearly all the members Of the Bar who could
succeed them with propriety are in the same cate
CORY. Now the relief Of few able politicians would
not help us in this strait; to organize the State
authorities efficiently would require much larger
list Of exceptions. Nor can we see any immediate
necessity for this measure. As soon as the officer
appointed, takes command of his District, he will,
it is to be presumed, order registration. That
registration will take tme then comes election of
delegates then the meeting of the convention, then
the adoption of the Constitution, then its ratifca-
ton, then it's reference to Congress and it's final
approval Inthe meantime, the Provisional Govern
ment OF the State is valid. We have now Gov
erIor, Judges, Legislature, who can go on quietly
in the discharge of their duties, until next fall at
least. When the convention meets, when the
State has given This proof Of the good faith with
which it has accepted the condition, then it the
people feel that certain men by their characters
or abilities, necessary to the wise government Ut
affairs, with what strength and confidence can
that body ask of Congress their relief from dis
ability!
We do not know how IL is in other States, but
we think we speak the sense Of this State when
we say that we are sure there is no such difference
between those who have incurred disIranchise-
mcpt by their obedience to her command as would
Justify such an exception-that just as what they
have done was from the conviction Of sacred
duty, TO what they will do will be to the best of
thc:.. Judgment for the honor and interest Of the
State. The people of the State will listen to them
more readily, they themselves will speak moro
freely and boldly, when no possibility of personal
profit, no suspicion Of selfish interest attaches to
their words We trust that the time is not far
distant when they will all bo made FREQ to serve
with renewed fidelity the State for which they
have suffered, and when their wise and patriotic
conduct vii have proved to the whole country
that they are men to be trusted, but not men to be
bribed.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY BELL.
MIR II, n.,. nol,nanc thir nnnrn.