The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-11-26
COIITNfBIA.a ]
Tuesday Morning, Nov. ss. 1857.
Returninv Good, seI,as. y.

ReturniI,g Good Sense. ,
One of the most hopeful signs for
the reunion of the people of the two
sections of the country, which have
been at political variance for many
years, is the invitation from leading
gentlemen of both parties, in New
York city, to Alexander II. Stephens,
of Georgia, requesting him to adj
dress the people on the social md
political condition of the South. He
has accepted the invitation, and, MS
the Baltimore Sun says, there is no
man prominently connected with the
late Confederate Government for
whose political wisdom, sincerity and
moderation of character more respect
is entertained throughout the coun-
try, than for him. It would, indeed,
probably have been impossible for
the gentlemen who invited him to
have found intall the South one who
has more accurate knowledge of its
affairs and dispositions, or one who
can speak more intelligently and
dispassionately. Itmust be crafty
ing to every lover of his country, that
the great commercial community of
the country has had the sagacity to
extend this Kind of an invitation to q
distinguished Southern leader. i
We regard this movement as for
ward step towerds real reconstruc-
tion. The business interests of the
country suffer more deeply than is
generally supposed by our disturbed
political relations. When the CON-
anercial and enterprising portion of
the community undertake to effect
genuine reunion of the people, poll
rtlcal tricksters must stand out of the
way. The city of New York, in the
late election, has proven her adhe-
sion to the true principle of govern
ment by administering terrible
rebuke to the destructive politicians,
who have recklessly administered the
affairs of Government since they
came into power; and now her COM
mercial and other leading men show
their ,sagacity and wisdom by their
expressed desire to hear from the lips
of one, whose life and character
must give weight to. what he says, the
true condition of the Southern peo-
pie, their loyalty and fidelity to the
Constitution and to the Federal
Union. We venture to predict that
the speech or address of Mr.. Stevens
will contribute more to the re- union
OF the American people than all the
TRADES of politicians could effect in
year.
Trade and commerce are great con-
servators and pacificators. Let us
hope, therefore, that other great COM
mercial centres in the North, East
and West, will take this matter Of re-
construction out of the hands of
political demagogues, and devote their
means to its accomplishment. No
political party can withstand the
popular requisition for such change
of policy as that now demanded by
every interest of the country; and if
the party in power had any sense-if
it were not bent on the retention of
that power-they would see that an
other straw would break the camel's
back and hurl them to destruction.
The people of every section are groan-
ing under burden of taxation which
no people have SO unnecessarily
borne, and the readers of the future
history of these States will be amazed
at their patience and forbearance,
under system wearing the guise of
free institutions, while the whole bu-
siness energies and enterprise of the
country are not only crippled but
nearly ruined
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