The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-09-25
UNDER A WRONG IMPRESSION.


The Charleston Ne,es is mistaken IN declaring
that the Anderson lntelIgencer, among Others .la-
lneiltsH the removal Of General SIcKLEs from the
command Of this military District. careful
psrdsal Of the editorial in this paper of the 4th
instant, relating TO the effects of this removal, will
satisy our cotemporary that there was no lamenta-
tion SO far as the recent commander of this De-
psrtment is concerned. We have neither admired
rlauded the course pursued by General SlcKLEs
during his administration of affairs, and on the
other hand, we have not abused him for the op-
pressiYe measures inauguratcd during his reign.
Perhaps there is no other politician of his rank IN
the army, entertaining lofty aspirations for him
self; who would have fallen short of the efforts
made bysrGeneral s. - become popular with the
party upon which hedepends for preferment 1t
was;neither strange nor wonderful that his entire
administrative career was directed TO the advance
noent of the interests of the Republican party.
But we are at all times willing to do justice, even
to an: enemy, and when we uttered the sentiment
ofthe people, in regard to the consequences many
dreaded at the removal of General SIcKLEs, there
was neither lamentation nor regret that the 'auto-
crat of the Carolnas" had been relieved from CON-
1nand, and another substituted in his stead. We
are perfectly assured that General Order No 10, to
which we had particular reference in discussing
this removal, met the approval of nine tenths OF
.she white people of South Carolina. 1t was gen.
orally supposed that his successor would repeal
that order, since one of its provisions led to the
displacement of its author. This expected result
has not followed and is not likely to take place,
we believe, and hence there con be no "lament,''
upon our part, for the exchange of political as
pirant for an officer of the regular service. As
to the individual delegated with the powers and
prerogatiRes contained in the Reconstruction
measures, there is little choice, so long as these
measures are the governing principles of his ad-
ministration. The Acts of Congress define the
powers of the Military commander and restrict
the authority of civil officers. Under these circum
Stances we have been disposed to refrain from
criticsing the instrument of the law, and have di-
rected comment generally upon the law itself.
But we have said enough to satify the Ne,cs of
its error and will only add few words in regard
to our estimate of Order No. 10. We have never
been in favor of stay laws, solemny enacted in the
face Of constitutional provisions, and tending to
produce an utter disregard for the sacredness of
private contracts. 1t was our honest belief that
liberal compromises might have been effected,
when the war closed, and long afterwards, upon
the majority of debts contracted before and during
the war. But the time-serving policy of the Leg
islature brought about general distrust among the
people, and aenated the creditor from the debtor,
by inducing the latter to lend favor to measures
enacking strongly Of entire reputation. This
distrust and alienation arrayed the people in op-
position to each other at an unfortunate moment,
when there was not sufficient money in the country
to effect compromises even, and when starvation
stared MANY in the face. Added to these facts, we
we're passing from quasi civil government under
military rule. 1t was at this time that General
Order No. 10 was issued, suspcndng executions in
certain cases prior TO the beginning of the war; 4;
and prohibiting any action whatever upon debts
contracted during the existence of the Confederate
government. Both creditor and debtor acquiesced
in this arrangement, which was to continue for
tvelyemonth, unless revoked, and it was supposed
that the State would be reconstructed by That time,
and this ve1ed. question Of old debts settled by
$500
legislative authority. The people having accom-
modated themselves and their affairs to this result,
and large majority sanctioning the course pur-
sued by the commanding General, it seems to US
worse than folly to rescind measure of practical
benefit to the greater portion of our population. 1t
was in this sense alone that We deprecated the
moval of General SIcKLEs, when it was thought
that the courts would be opened and an endless
amount Of litigation follow in the wake of such an
event. But it appears that the public mind was
unnecessarily disturbed, and we havc assurance
that there will be no revocation of the aforesaid
Order Therefore, the removal of the recent COM
mander docs not disturb us in the least and neither
are the people exercised about his decapitation.
But VIC reiteratc willingness to do justice in the
premises, and ''rendcr unto Caesar thethings winch
are Caesar's.'
NIL Cport0n eoys II hnS hcen REQUESTED 10