The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-09-08


j. NJ. Allen, Greenville.
The Forthcoming Amnesty ProcIa-
nation.
The New York Herald still advises
the issue of general amnesty. In
its issue of Tuesday, it says:
Whatever opposition or hesitation
there may be on the part of his ad-
visers, if such there be, we advise
the President to issue the amnesty
proclamation forthwith. It is the
trump card in his hand. The game
has been going against him for some
time past, but if he plays this card
boldly and skilfully, he may turn it
In his favor. at all events, reason,
sound policy, humanity and the good
of the country, call upon him to do
so, whatever may be the consequences
for the time to himself personally.
We venture to say that nine-tenths
of the people Of the loyal States-all,
IN fact, but few rabid radicals -
would approve OF n broad and liberal
declaration of amnesty, embracing
all rebels, except, an insignificant
number. who have been guilty of
other crimes in addition to that of
rebellion. He has nothing to fear
except the hostility of Congress, and
we think he need not fear that. A
few ultra radicals might buster about
impeachment, but the dominant party
is already divided on the question.
and it would not dare to defy public
sentiment. "~
1t then says that Lincoln, had he
lived, would have proclaimed an am.
nesty long ago, and continues as fol-
lows: ~
We are threatened with negro
government For the sake of politi-
cal ascendency, and not out of regard
, for the emancipated slaves, the negro
Is to be made the balance of power.
The whites Of the South are disfran
chised, and everywhere throughout
that important and most valuable
section of the republic, the negro is
IN the ascendant. The consequences
of such state of things are frightful
to contemplate. We are to have me-
gro members of Congress, and, some
radicals say, n negro Vice President.
Yes, 1t is possible that, within q few
years, We may have negro in the
seat once filed by Washington.
Looking at the rate the political re-
volution has been going on for the
last two years, we should not be sur
Prised to see negro elected Vice.
President, and, in the event of the
PRESIDENT dying, he would become
President" What spectacle for the
people OF this great country to con-
template! This mighty Republic
to become Africanized! Whether the
negro should reach that eminence or
not at present, he will still hold the
balance Of power, and, as a conse-
quence, virtually govern the country.
Who can look at, this mass of igno.
rance-at the millions of poor crea.
lures who hardly know their right
hand from their left-being placed
in position to govern this proud
republic, without shuddering at the
consequences? Yet this is what we
are fast approaching under the re.
construction policy of Congress and
the military relationships at tho
South.
At such crisis, it is the duty of
the President to do all he can, con-
ss,titutionally and legally, to neutralize
tnls growing negro power. Let him
give as much power as he can to the
white people of the South to hold in
check the mass of negro ignorance
winch threatens to involve the coun-
try IN disgrace and trouble. He has
6een deprived Of some of his power,
but he can still bring up numerous
body OF intelligent white citizens as {,
balance against negro ignorance, by
an amnesty. proclamation and by q
liberia! administration of the Recon
struction Acts OF Congress. Amnesty
should 'ave been declared long ago.
There has been nothing in the con.
duct OF the Southefnefs to prevent IL.
On the whole, they have been peace