The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-21
The Enf-ancEaiscd.

u
ton Uni0n that, since the election in
Alexandria-a day or two before the
editor wrotc-some fifty negroes had
been discharged, and that others
would be, as soon as white men could
be found to fill their places 1t is
further stated that hundreds of ne
groes were lettering around the cor
ners, and that their grumbling could
be heard by every passcr-by.
This is an unhappy state of things,
nor can we think why it should be So
The cnfranchisement OF the freedman
was a great step towards his elevation
as a resident and citizen of the South.
and we can see no reason, unless that
they were precipitated and manipu-
Lated by unprincipled men iii Alex
andril, before the present law went
into operation in Virginia. Since
General Schotield has tai ken command
III that district, he suspended the
municipal elections in Frcdericks-
burg, and the Richmond DiSp,dcA is
of opinion that the elections in other
towns will be suspended, for the rea-
sons which governed him in the case
of Fredericksburg.
As the Dispatch says, in remarking
upon the suspension of the election
referred to, the clothing Of the negro
Wltmthe elective franchise is so great
q step towards his elevation, that even
Congress seems to consider that it
must be done with some degree of
system, as much to protect him as
the community. To begin with voting
as they arc-with no registry and no
clear understanding-would very
much confuse the matter Of voting.
and Of protecting the elections from
frauds, not so much to be feared from
the freedman us from his vicious ad-
visers.
The operation of the supplement
tary bill, us it is called, which vests
IN the district military commanders
the power to set the machinery of re-
construction in motion, has passed
both houses Of Congress and gone to
the President. This bill provides for
a general registration and for all the
necessary regulations for conducting
the elections under the military law,
and will doubtless prevent, to 4 great
extent, disorder or confusion. In
this district-the sccond-we think
there will be no difficulty whatever.
The new voters-thc intelligent por-
ton of them, at least-appreciat
and know the responsibility resting
upon them, and we feel assured,
from the peaceful character of their
large demonstration on Monday, and
from the remarks of their own speak
crs, as well as the manner in which
tut'y ItCClNGl tue dCtfcSScS Oh NItn.
Hampton and the other gentlemen
they had invited to speak on the
occasion, that if all this class of
voters in North and Suutn Carolina
are influenced by the same spirit and
motives as they seem to be in this
vicinity, the commander Of the ''se-
cond district VIII have little trouble
in administering the new law with
satisfaction to all parties
Above all things, Il spirit of anita
gonis4 between the ttyo racea-be-
tween the old and the new voters
must be scrupulously avoided. Both
must work harmoniouoly together
for their section, and we believe that,
ii we do our duty cheerfully, faith
fully and honestly towards the en-
franchised freedmen, they will be as
true as steel TO those among whom
t'ey were born, and by whom they
w nc raiScd and protected.