The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-28

|
hostility-nothing could be more
satisfactory than the verdict of Ten
nessee. From these points of view,
the Times says, the Tennessee cleo
tion would justify all the rejoicing it
has elected. But this prominent
journal, and one of the exponents of
its principles, does not 80 understand
the mission of its party, for it adds:
'tBut we have not so learned the
principles and aims of the Republican
party, nor 30 interpreted the object
and tendency of its reconstruction
policy. On the contrary, we have
believed the mission of the party to
be beneficent as well as patriotic. To
its own future, it cannot be indiffer-
ent, but that is dependent less upon
ordinary partizan appliances than
upon the good feeling and sound
judgment with which It pursues its
work, and the success which crowns
its labors. Party advantages are to
be incidental to success-not the end
of all efforts. The speedy re-organ-
ization Of the South on a healthy
basis-the earliest possible recon
struotion of local governments, and
the -e-establishment of local author
ity-constitutes the only legitimate
purpose of recent legislation. In this
sense it is understood and supported
by the country. It is, moreover. q
policy of conciliation, of forbearance,
of amity and peace. Prescription
nowhere enters into the plan through
which it operates. It guarantees to
the blacks perfect civil and political
liberty, but without imposing exclu-
sion upon the whites. The disabili-
ties provided for prominent rebels,
and the Acknowledgement of the
office-holding class, are exceptions too
limited to diminish the force OF the
rule, the obvious design of which is
to obliterate distinctions of race, and
to make the whole community inte-
rested in the smooth and successful
working of the reconstructed govern
ments. The law, too, runs evenly,
with no risk of caprice or passion on
the part of its administrators. Its
whole scope and principle is directed
to the maintenance of justice, OF
equality, the organization of repub-
Ecan liberty, secured by forms adapted
to q transition time, but affording no
room for the diabolical vindictiveness
and cunning of the measures by
which Brownlow has fortified himself
in Office
If the above exposition of the
principles and aims of the Republi-
can majority is in this sense-"fhe
speedy reorganization Of the iSouh on
a healthy basis-tae earliest possible re-
construction Of local governments and
the re-establishment Of local authority,
constitutes The only legitimate purpose Of
the recent Legislation" Of Congress, then
is it all that the South can desire or
expect. And we see no reason to
doubt but that this was the intention
of the party which passed the enact
ments, or that their policy thus de-
fined will be sustained by the masses
of the people who elevated that party
to power. We do not think the
Union Republican party shoul! be
judged by the expressions of extrem-
lists, or by the operations of such
men as Hunnicutt or others of that
stripe. We prefer to take the views
of Senator Wilson, in his speech
after he returned North, concerning
the temper and position of the South
ern people, as the true exposition of
the views of the party.
From this standpoint, and enter
tanning these views, we have urged
compliance with the laws CT Con-
gress-a general registration, and the
call, by ballot. Of State Convention,
as the OILY road left to us, by which
we may reach reconstruction, restora-
tion and peace. Until this goal in
our political transition be reached, oil
must admit that no return of pros
perity can come to the South; her
vast resources must remain undeve-
loped; social and financial confidence
cannot be restored, and thus will her
planting and commercial interests re-
main criDD1e1 opd or0ofroto 20, 1,o,t