The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-18
CHI ES TON.
MONDAY MORNING, MARCH 1s, 1867.
SENATOR srEKnrAs,s nEsoLuT1or.

SENATOR sHEIsnIAN's RESOLUTION.
Wo recognize in tho resolution OF Senator SHEn-
MAN relieving Governor DRowH, OF Georgia, and
Governor PATTON, OF Alabama, fom tho disabili-
ties of the Reconstruction Act the return OF bet
tor and kinder foongs, and m indication that tho
Government is willing to trust those who, however
firm aud active in tho discharge OF what thoy con-
ceived to be their duty during the var, hnre ac-
copied tho results Of that wur as final, and arc
willing to givo their ability and influence to the
completion OF tho only settlement which seems
practicable. And whether wo consider the dovo-
tion with which thoy did thoir duty to tho Confcd-
cracy whilo it lasted, tho spirit in which thoy
haYc declared their readiness to do their duty to
tho Union it lias bson restored, no two public
men better entitled TO this relief. But Te can
not help thinking that both in their own intorost
and in that OF the country it is very questionable
wlothor such nn exceptional position is nm adyan-
tagc, whether the object which tho Government
has at heart, and which mon like these can 80
efficiently serve, will bo furthercd by separating
thcm from tho thousands in tho South who acted
with thom in tho past, and who con not wisely and
efficiently with them Mt present. and thus rendering
them Gnbe to tho aus picion il not to tho charge,
Of being influenced in the adyico they give, by tho
personal benefit which such advice may seem to
bring thom. .4t4 fH'.+.t
Tho Reconstruction Act is hard measure to
conquered people. Tho interest, tho good sonse,
tho manly resolution TO meet tho consequences
of groat failure, may control tho Southern poopo
! to accept It. Aid in time, when wo bocomo fa-
miliar with tho new ideas and realize tho broader
development of thought and enterprise which TINT
systom inaugurates, wo will become reconcied to
this now life. But il is do and useless TO attempt
to disguise tho fact that VIC submit to necessity,
md like wise mon endeayoring TO- mako tho
best of very disagrecablo position. Our people
mood to bo educated to their now duties, to be
taught how to uso tho conditions OF this sudden
| and radical resolution in their thoughts habits
aud interests. Thoro ia large and most rospccta-
bio class OF mon who will be slow hoth to learn
and to unloarn, and IL is OF great Importance. to
our unfortunate section that this lesson should be
learned quickly. Tho mon who hnyo hitherto on
joycd tho public confidence can be OF inchlculnble
service in bringing about this rcsoluto and inte-
gent perception Of tho truth. But their influence
depends upon ono condition-tho people OF tho
South, whom thoy advise and hope to influence,
must feel Of their perfect disinterestedness.
wo do not caro- how wiso theso mon havo bocome,'
how frankly thoy may recognize tho mistakes
which they havo made, tho pcoplo will notiier
listen to nor regard them If this change Of opin-
ion is to result In their personal advancement, md
in their being made exceptions to the penalty
which men rs Miso and good, as vol entitled to
the respect and confidence OF tho country must
pay for their participation in tho past. =. j. -,
If tho body OF citizens disfranohisod by tho pro-
visions Of tho Reconstruction Act, could and would
say TO the people whose confidence thcy, have
shared. that they were honestly OF opinion that
truo wisdom and patriotism required frank 40
ceptance Of the conditions Of this ACT, hid the
,l,,
sions, no moro powerful agency for tho settlement
OF Ibis question could bo found or would be needed.
Their Acknowledgement would bo the guarantee Of
tho honesty OF their conviction, and tho unsel6Bh.
ness Of their advice. But tho only reward Tint
such mon can or ought to receiveis tho oonscious-
ness Of q painful duty faithfully. performed and
the confidence and affection Of those: who arc TO
profit by their saorifoo. ~ ~, aia 80.
There is, it seems to us, but ono argument that
would justify this exception, and that Is, that tho
men 80 excepted, arc, by their virtues their ability
and their influence, necessary in tho work Of rc-
construction. La this SO 2 In the: first place, II
cannot be denied that such virtues and such ability
will command as large and ns wholesome an infu-
ence out OF oco in It. In Tho noIt PLACE. tho dis
fnchisement clause docs not limit very fair ohoice
for members Of the Legislature, and the subordi=
nato executive and Judicial ofhcers Of tho steto.
In this Stato think fair selection atil nnins
opon for members OF Congress- although perhaps
not for Senator'S but It must also be remembered
that as far as mombGrs OF Congress and Senators \
arc concerned, The relief from the disability Of the
Reconstruction Act, does not relieve from the no
coaaty Of tho official test OATH and that long as
that romans OF force, tho relief from tha dsahli7
ties Of tho oct will scarcely enlarge our choice.
The greatest practical disadvantage under tho dis
abilities Of tho net, will bo tho efect upon tho IN!
dicial officers OF tho State. T. Will bo not only
embarrassing but injurious TO the best inlerests Of
society TO remove our present, Judges, especially
as nearly all tho members Of tho Bar who could
succeed them with propriety are in the sarle cate
gory Now tho roller Of fow able politicians would
not hep us in this strait; to organize the state
authorities efficiently would require much larger
list exceptions. Nor can we see any immediate
necessity for this measure. AB soon as tho. officer
appointed, takeB command Of his District, he will,
1t ia to be presumed, order q registration That
registration will take timo then comes an eleco1of
delegates, thon tho meeting Of tho then
tho adoption OF tho Constitution thon its ratiHoa
ton, thon its reference toCongress and its final
approval. 1ntho meantime, the Provisional Govorn-
ment OF tho State is Valid We, have now a Gov
ornor, Judges, Legislature, who can 20 on quietly
In the discharge Of their duties, until next fall at
least. When the convention, meote, when The |
otoT nhS Bful tlilb PROOF OF tno Boou lhlth Win
which 1t has accepted the condition, thon II the
people feel TINT certain men nre by thoir characters
or abilities, necessary to the wise government Of
affairs, with whnt strength and confidence can
that body ask Of Congress- theit relief 3hom dis
ability ,..' -, I,.,,.. :. .-g,,.5, IS !, |
We do not know how IL iB In other atates, but
wo think wo speak tho sense' Of this State whom
We say that We snro there is no such difference
botweon those who hayo incurred disfranchiso-
ment by thor obedience 70 her command as would
justify such an excephon-that just ss what thoy !
havo dono was from tho conviction Of o sacred
duty, 30 what thoy viii do will be TO tho bost Of
thor judgment for tho honor and interest Of the
State. Tho people Of; tho State will Listen 70 then,
moro readily, lthoy themselves viii speak moro
ffeely and boldly, WHOM no possibility Of pergohal
profit, no suspicion Of solAsh interest attaches TO
thoir words. We trust TINT tho time is hot, far
distant when thoy will alr be made FREQ 70 servo |
with renewed fidelity tho State for which they
hnvo suffered and when thoir. wiso and patriotic
conduct will hayo proved to the whole country
shat they arc mon to bo trusted but not mon to be
bribed. - ~ = ~. ~ n r5lt
~ TIE SUPPLEMENTARY BILL.
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