The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-09
CHA RLES ON.
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 9, 1857.
WHO ARE THE FRIENDS Of THE
SOUTH3

We have heard this question asked OF late
very often. We think the answer is very short
and simple: Nobody but the South itself.
In the North there are two parties, and two
parties only-the Republicans and the Demo
Gratis; the one having all power, the other haV-
ing none; both having objects Of their oWn' anu
both willing to use the South to reach these
objects.
There are two shades of Republican opinion.
The majority are apparently satisfied with the
result of the war, and willing that upon the
terms they have prescribed the South shall De
restored. The minority, embracing some OF
the most active, restless, energetic and mallg-
nant Of its leaders, still seem disposed to mar
rass irritate and torment The South. Both
wish to preserve tho power Of the party tor tue
coming Presidential election, but personal jeal-
ousy and individual ambition seem to be widen
inq the differences between them The Cen
necticut election has come as timely warning
to them that difference is danger, and we scarce
ly think they will disregard the warning. we
think the probability is at the majority Will
stand up squarely to the fnality of the Recon
struction Act, but, under the supervision OF
the minority, they will watch its execution with
very Jealous eyes. We need not expect much
consideration at their hands in the difficulties
which surround us in our progress back into
the Union. They wish the reconstruction com
pleted to put an end to their own difficulties,
but they will not run any risk of wounding the
susceptibilities Of their own people by any
very tender regard for the feelings OF ours;
and any early manifestation of purpose to
use our restored strength as balance between
parties, will, without doubt, reconcile the Jeal-
ousies of both wings of the party to delay our
opportunity to use that power.
On the other hand the Democratic party
want us too for their own purposes. Indeed
the World, which is anxiously advising us to
90 to work at once under the provisions of the
act-and very sensible advice it is-openly ex-
presses its wish that we should complete that
work in time for the Presidential election of
1868. The Democrats we think, have been
unduly elated by the results of the Connecticut
election. There must have been large ele-
ment local interest in that result, and we
have no doubt that negro suffrage played its
part; for if we understand rightly the vote in
favor of that suffrage was six or seven thou
sand behind Governor HAwLEY's at his election
as Governor, showing that there were so many
Republicans who, on this question, differed
from their party. But if the Democratic party
assuming this result as sign of u coming
change, manilests reviying energy, 1t Will
not only band together and stimulate the Re-
publieans, but by specializing 9a y4es-use
they can make of 9ss ssa1sssnsgth they will do us
incalevassse INJURY. We wish to say nothing
saffskind of the Democratic party but they
must not sacrifice us to their hopes; and we
confess that when we have passed through the
ordeal which the Reconstruction Act has pre-
nared for us, we would like to know what
are the principles which will then separate the
Democrats and the Republicans, as far as our
interests are concerned 1t is very certain
that they can give us not the slightest assist
ance in the troubles before us; and when We
are over with them we would like to have time
to think.
Our hope for the future, then, must be In
ourselves, and in the good sense and good
feeling of the military authorities who govern
us. Let us explain frankly to them the diff
cultics in our way. Convince them of the
honest purpose with which we are endeavorlng
to meet them, and cease looking about for
friends until we have the means of securing
tbo,n