The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-17

The Duty OF the Hour,

It is promising sign Of the times that in all
portions OF the Union independent journals are
presenting the question of reconstruction to busl-
ness men, and urging them to look at it from the
standpoint of national and individual prosrerity,
and not mere party success. In late number o.
the Boston Herald we find the following, which Is
too good to be overlooked:
If the time has not yet come when the American
people can attend to their material interests, we
are at a loss to know when it will come. Two
years Of peace have been spent in experiment upon
the political reconstruction Of the Southern States,
and the people Of the South now seem to be pro-
oeeding with commendable promptness in carry
ing out the plan prepared by Congress for their
admission into the Union. They may safely be
left to themselves and the officers OF the
Government charged with experimenting the
reorganization OF society IN that section, and the
attention Of the masses Of the people, both North
terests Of the country that bave been 30 lorg
neglected. So far as the people are concerned we
are satisfied that they ready to take this COM
mon sense view Of the question. They have had
enough Of contention and strife to last them for Q
generation. They have had enough Of debt and
taxation to satisfy their widest aspirations in that
direction. They are sick and tired Of the war
fare that has been waged on abstract questions.
They know well enough that our material inter-
ests have been allowed to suffer, and the coun-
hs9s Rs it, tsns he 1s
want chance to use their capital and devote
their labor to the reparation Of the damages sus-
tanned in the war. Why should they not
be allowed to attend to their own affairs and, by
the exercise Of an enlightened seK-interest. 20 on
developing the resources of the country and accu-
mulatfng wealth to tighten, the burdens under
which we labor2i The schemes OF politicians are
all that prevent this desirable consummation.
The country languishes for the want of practical
st atesmep in place Of political mountebanks who
have wogmed their way into Office. The great
question now to be met in, this country is the
fnan nal question; but everybody knows that
Congress takes hold Of that question last and
deyotes to it the least Of its time. The condi.
tion Of the currency, the rate Of taxation, and
the redemption OF, the mortgaged wealth Of the
country from the hands fits creditors are subjects
that have never yet been handled as though they
haa anything to do with the material prosperity Of
the country. Business men see that trade and
production languish, that money is scarce, though
the currency has been expanded to twice it's nor
NAL volume, aud that these two evils are driving
business out Of the country and retarding the de-
yelopment OF our resources. II we go on in this
way, how shall we escape bankruptcy and ruin? ?
We confess that the prospect is dark, and that it
is growing darker every day while we continue on
our present course. We see no hope except in the
good sense of. tho people, who are growing reshve
under their burdens, and who already manifest q
disposition TO- inquire what benefit they are to re-
ceive for the lavish expenditure OF their money.