The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-02-10
COLUMBIA.
Sunday Morning, February 10, 1857.

posed by the radical party, profcssed-
ly to re-unite the now disjointed
States Of the Union. For reasons
which the Southern States consider
ed weighty and valid, they have been
rejected with entire unanimity, by
the Legislatures of these States. The
Constitutional amendments, proposed
by the party leaders adverse to the
South, came up for consideration in
the bodies referred to, after having
been regularly submitted by the
Governors of the respective States to
whom they were sent for that pur-
pose by the Secretary of State Of the
Federal Government; therefore, all
things were done concerning these
measures in proper order, and with
out reference to the result, they
at least in the majority of the
States-received that due considera-
tion which SO important document
as an amendment to the Cons titution
Of the United States was entitled to.
We have now what processes to be
the text of new amendments, both to
the Federal and State Constitutions,
s;Id to be originated and perfected
by sundry leading gentlemen of the
South, with the sanction and aD-
proval of the President, who has in
all our difficulties proved himself a
friend to the excluded States Of the
South, and who, in his messages, and
in all he has said on the subject,
manifested his anxiety for their re-
storation and peace to the country,
which would follow such action, and
we have no doubt but that he and
the Southern gentlemen referred to
sincerely believe that the proposed
measure is the best that could be con-
cocted under the circumstances; and
further, that it may in the end prove
their wisdom in the preparation Of
its provisions, and, as we have already
said, we have no doubt but the South
ern people would sacrifice much Of
their opinions and prejudices to Sc
cure peace and restoration.
We do not propose, at this time,
to discuss this scheme of conciliation,
but desire to notice one difficulty in
the way. The former propositions
were submitted to the representa-
tives of our people through the regu-
lar official channels; this proposed
measure is merely the result of con
sultation (as we understand it) of y
caucus of Southern gentlemen, in con
junction with the President How,
then, is it to come before the South
ern Legislatures? Is tito be submitted
on their OVID responsibility, by the Go
vernors OF these States; and, if acted
on favorably, what then is to he done
with it? Is it 20 be sent to the new
radical Congress, asking them to re-
admit the Southern States on these
terms; or is it to be presented to that
body as the "Nim,aum Of these States,
all that they Will yield to, as the price
of restoration? In the first instance,
their request would undoubtedly be
declined; anl, as to the second, the
South is not il I; position to present
an uHima1t@ 10 Congress, and it
might be regarded as a defiance to
that body, and, very likely, add to
the strength OF the party at the
North
But ag,.;A, We agree with some OF
our contemporaries, Ill of whom that
we have seen have something to say
on the project the majority, we
think, speaking favorably Of it-that
it does not become the South ut the
present time to make any proposition
to Congress, or to submit terms upon
which she would be willing to be re-
admitted. She is not out Of the
Union by her own act, and her peo-
pie have, in every way, since the sur
render OF her armies, manifested
their anxious desire TO be re-instatcd.
Let this or a similar proposition come