The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-04-21
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, April 21. 1855
Vigilance and Activity.


That one of the first duties of the
Southern people at the present juno
.ure of their political affairs is to take
IN active interest in the elections
which will precede the re.organiza-
ton of their State Governments, is
now evident. The telegram from
Mobile, which we published on Fri
day morning, referring to meeting
of colored people of that city, at
which 5000 were present, most Of
them armed, shows conclusively that
evil agencies are at work to stir up
mischief, and that even after the peo-
pie of the South manifest their will
hngness to reconstruct under the
provisions of the laws of Congress,
the end is not yet-they are still to,
be further prosecuted by those who
do not care fig for the: progress or
completion of the work of recon
struction under any law whatever,
and who have no part or lot in the
matter, only SO for rs spersonal aggran-
dizement is concerned, or political
ambition is to be, gratifed. i
Abiding to the political direction
the colored vote may take if it should
pass entirely under the control of q
few designing agitators, and urging
that, as that class has been invested
with the franchise, division in its
political action would be wholesome,
the National Intelligence, says, very
truly, that the lessons of history
teach in vain, if we.do not take alarm
ut the prospect of vast body of
men, most of whom are unprepared,
by the most common test of intelli-.
gence, to exercise the right of fran
chise, coming in and controlling pub
lie policy, over the heads of two or
three times the number Of white men.
Especially will there be extreme
danger, should the Southern people,
from supineness or indisposition to
contend with the promoters of this
mischief, hold off ther hands and let
their future destiny be shaped by infu-
ences they should use every exertion
to thwart, and to bring to their aid
the new political strength these agi-
tators would deprive them of.
1t is of the utmost consequence,
then, that this matter should be
promptly attended to by all classes of
our people, and especially ought pro-
perty- holders, taxpayers, and those
representing capital and substance
among us, not let the new element of
political strength among them be
trifed with. Atrocious schemes Of
legislation, confiscation and utter mis-
rule, like that which afflicts Tennes-
see, to-day, may and indeed will be
the results Of this criminal indiffer-
ence to the evil tendencies of the pre-
sent condition of affairs, especially
in regard to this matter. Fire should
be fought with fire, and the best anti
dote against the mischievous ha-
rangues which are being delivered to
the negroes in various Southern cities
and localities, is to be found in the
honest efforts Of our own people to
enlighten and instruct these people,
among whom they have always lived,
rs to their rights, duties and highest
interests under the new condition in
which they find themselves.
Falling back on false dignity and
pride, and refusing to recognize and
appreciate the situation, will be most
ruinous policy for our people to pur-
sue, and end disastrously to their best
interest, and to their civil rights and
liberties. We offer these suggestions
from keen conviction of duty, and
not as n mere matter Of political clap
trap, to evoke discussion.
Another Ex-Governor on the Situn-