The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-20
WHY DODGE THE ISSUE.

point of the right of secession. The South
maintained, that the States composing tho Un-
ion under tho rights reserved by the Conslitu-
| ton, could dissolve the compact al any limo
that they might desire SO to do, while the
North ON tho other hand insisted that the oom-
pact was perpetual A difference so rn,lical
as this could be decidedly no civil court, and
both parties appealed to the only tribunal
which can decide the quarrols Of bodies Of men
sufficiently large 10 constitute nations, lhetri-
bunRl of arms. That tribunal decided against
the South, and the issue of the war is decla-
ration that the Union of the States is perma-
uent and that no State or number Of States can
dissolve that Union.
1t is true that BENJAMIN WADE was not
! very anxious for tho war, hut would hare pre-
ferrod to have let the Southern States make
the experiment Of government of their own,
though to-day he chooses to forget This and
declares, what he knows to be false, that
"but for the aid and comfort afforded the
Southern leaders by the democracy Of the
North, there would have been no war" And
| he continues, al charge upon this great or
ganized party tho responsibility Of 3oOo Of
| '"' Ao"SA oA es' JShsA III ciSit SEhfeS-
II is true TINT WENDELL PHILLIPS openly ad-
vocated the right Of secession until 1862,
though he to-day prctends to desire a continu-
nncc Of the Union and cants eloqueutly about
the soldiers Of the nation. It is true that Mr..
CHASE said that the Union was not worth fight
ing for, though he to-day occupies the sea, of
Chief Justice of the United States. Il is true
that HORACE GRsELEr said in the Tribune in
1850. "any attempt to compel the Southern
States 10 remain by force would be contrary
TO the principles cnunciatcd in the immortal
declaration of independence, to the
fundamental idens which human liberty is
based;" though he to-day is blatant about the sin
Of rebels and the horrible crimes that we COM
mitted in endeavoring to dissolve the Union.
1t Is true that these opinions of Radical lead
ers encouraged the South. It is also true that
thesc men are to-day the leaders of the Radi-
cal party, uut II the people of the North had
listened to the teachings the South would
have been permitted TO depart in peace The
people of the North in 1861, did not how
ever heed tho Radical leaders of TODAY.
They had faith in the Union, they esteemed it
| TO be Of value, and standing on what they be-
lieved 10 be correct Interpretation of the
Constitution, Democrat and Republican, side
by side, determined to crush ont what they
alike considered q politicnl heresy, and 10
support by arms the psrmanency Of this gov
ornment Mr.. LINCOLN and Congress both de-.
clared this On more than one occasion They
insisted that the war was not one of conquest
but waged simply to compel every State to
perform its portion of the compact, and to
stand to its allegiance. Had any other issue
been made, had the Radical creators of public
opinion aYowed their policy of to-day, an
army never could have been raised in the
North. The people Of the North never would
have consented to shed their blood and spend
their treasure for the purpose of preparing
fstters for, Themselves while forging chains
for the South.
If these statements are lrue, it matters not
what may have been the opinion Of the South
The war must be judged from a Northern
standpoint Having been ended in favor of
the Northern idea, It follows as thing Of
course, that no State ever was out of the
Union, even for single instant. If no State
over was out Of the Union, then every Slate
on tho restoration Of peace Is entitled to all
safeguards and guarantees Of the Constitution.
Admit that the war Iwns just war on the part
of the North, and this is The neoessary conelu-
| sion. IL each State is entitled 10 the protsc-
lon of the Constitution, then it is true that
ifapy one State is deprived of that protection
the Constitution is diSregarded. If IL Is disre.
garded to-day for one State or set of States, IL
Will bo disregarded tomorrow for other States.
wherever the opinions of their people are not
In harmony with the views of the majority.
The course Of The Radical party has been to
obtain and propagate its power by deceiyinp
the massss at the North, by subvetting the
Constitution, and seizing and taking from The
States their rights under that compact Their
aims are revolutionary. The old fabric is to
be destroyed; and on tho new foundation thew
are determined to build Government entirely
after their own hoarts, q a'Government in which
none but Radicals shall rule. The party is too
ably lead, boRsver, 10. make either an open or
an honest confession of faith. WENDELL PHIL-
LIPS, il Is true, openly declares his views; but
who ever suspected 'PHIEIIps Of being a poll
tician? THAp. STEVENS follows In the wake of
PHILLIPS, and proclaims that the party is aot-
u ouIatup Vi the ConstituLionj Dut VHAD. In
not always wise, and he ia too passionate TO be
always able 10 conceal his thoughts The party
cannot endorse his doctrines because IL tknows
that such doctrines would cause reaction al
tho North, and might be instrumental in losing
tho Radicals their supremacy, and, In re-
storing liberty TO America. wiser course Is
determined upon, and a gilded pill Is admins
tored Men excited BY passion forget Justice,
and frequently forget to look at their own In.
forests. Passion must bs appealed TO, and
the North must be. blinded. With these aims
reconstruction bills wsts passed for the South
ern States, military governments were estab-
lished during peace, ha6ea, eorpu. was sus-
pended, tho right Of trial, by; jury made |
dependent on the stroke Of the pom Of a.soldisr;
and more than all, "manhood suffrage" was |
anconsiltutionally, ,estabiiehed for negroes, but
not for white men. The object Of all this IS |
manifeat. H. is to habiluate the people to look |
On tyranny until they become accustomed 10 |
it's workings, and thento fastsn the tyranny |
on them, and secure q continuance of Radical |
rule.
Can these things be done without violating /
the Constitution Surely not. II 10 vain for
men like Senator TRuMBulL to refine on the
dffferAnca betwaan b;. 49, 'o,...!.s o..-I