The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-22
COLUMBIA.
Friday Morning, March %, 1867.
The End of Suspense.

suspense which has, for many months,
injuriously affected business enter
prise in every section of the country,
by not only establishing Govern
ments tor the Southern States, but
by passing 4 law looking, in the end,
to the reconstruction of the Union,
and the restoration of the present ex-
cluded States to their proper places
in that Union. We take it for grant
ed, that, with or without the Presi-
dents assent, the Supplementary
Bill, " as it is called, will become a
law; and thus a painful suspense is
ended, and with it. We hope. politics
and parties throughout the South.
The people of the whole country
now know definitely the terms of re-
construction, and the people Of the
South know where they stand and
what they have to do. Under these
circumstances, it becomes the people
of these States to promptly recognize
their condition, and go at once to
work III all the avocations Of business
and industry which tend to retrieve
their shattered fortunes and restore
their section to its former prosperity.
Our political status is fixed, perhaps
for years, although we nad no par
ticipation in fixing 1t, and there
is now nothing left to us but to
go to our farms, workshops or
places Of business, and attend strictly
to our duties as good citizens, rem
dering obedience to the laws, and
uniting in the preservation and main
tenance Of order in tho communities
IN which We may reside.
Political discussions will hereafter
be proGtless; regrets for the change
in our condition worse than vain; and
all attempts to institute party discri-
minations, or array one portion of
our people against the other, is the
most suicidal to our well-being, So
cially, politically and otherwise All
we have to do with politics is to aid
those entrusted with the carrying ont
of the late law of Congress, honestly
and sincerely. Our duties as peo-
pie are plainly defined and pointed
out in its provisions, and there is no
use debating or cavilling at its re-
quirements. SO long as this law
remains in force-until we are admit
ted into the Union-we must remem-
Der that we are residents of "mili-
tary district" and that simple
obedience to the law will be more
beneficial and productive of good
results than any factious opposition
to the progress of reconstruction
under it.
The termination OF the long and
anxious struggle in political affairs,
we believe. will be speedily followed
by revival Of business, both North
and South. The capitalists of the
former section now know the security
they will have for investments among
us, and our own people, being fully
aware that nothing they can do can
change or better their condition, will,
we hope, take a long farewell to poll
tics, and apply themselves TO more
profitable pursuits. If the machinery
Of reconstruction runs smoothly
and we have no reason to doubt it, if
we conscientiously discharge our
duties as law-abiding citizens
shall soon realize an improvement in
our condition in every respect. Trade
will revive, confidence be restored
and the credit Of the business men Of
the South re-cstablished in the mar
kets where credit is needed. Such,
Notwithstanding all the drawbacks
we have to contend with, is the pros
pect Of the future for all true and
good citizens in the military districts
of the South.
THE president AND THE DEMO