The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-24

gress; opposed, in fact, to any reconstruction
whatever, except such as would leave them II
precisely the same political condition as if there
had been no rebellion and no war. Even such
reconstruction as this they would only accept as 6
necessity Of the situation, with the purpose to re-
selves as nearly as possible the same conditions
which existed before the war. With these re
actionists dominant in the South, freedom O.
speech and of the press, will not even exist il
| name
The Union men, and even those who we're seces-
slonlsts, but have advocated reconstruction under
the late acts Of Congress, would find no peace ant
no protection In these States.
The last condition OF the freedmen would be
worse than the first
numerous letters, the letters of Gov. Perry, o.
South Carolina, Of Herschel V. johnson, Of Geor
gia, and many other such men for sufficient eyi
dence that have not diversified the case.
These men are the representatives Of q large
and powerful element bent on reaction, and they
have been in the habit of controlling the Southern
whites. By taking opposite sides OF a political
question they have in times past divided the
Southern whites on purely personal grounds, and
have thus created the impression elsewhere that
among the masses there was political question
decided instead Of purely personal one. United
as they now are against reconstruction it is wise
to ascertain how far their influence can prevail
with the people.
The disfranchising clauses Of the acts of Con-
gress put it out of the power Of these men to be
candidates for Office. One great element Of their
strength is thus destroyed and the people, left to
choose other leaders and vote for other candidates
have really freedom Of action which they never
had before, and find themselves under necessity
for thinking which they have not heretofore felt
Congress has given them this privilege and inn
posed upon them this salutary necessity. 1t re-
mains to be seen how they will use them. II they
can WI, the battles againss their former leaders
after an open fight, all may be we'll in the future
IF not then not.
do not at all agree in the opinion that there are
not enough competent in the District to hold the
civil Offices who are not dlstranchlsed. have,
think, reason to know otherwise. But even admit.
ting that it is So it is better to have an incompe
tent but loyal man in Office, than have a rebel OF
whatever ability. In fact the greater The ability
the greater the danger OF maladministration.
The questions at issue under these Acts Of Con-
gress are the most momentous ever presented to
people. The result for good or evil will affect all
parts OF the country with more or less force and
will long remain. 1t is easy, under existing cir
cumstauces to win the first victory and recon-
struct these States under the acts OF Congress.
But this victory is only the beginning OF the con-
test, and unless it be victory openly and fairly
won, and very decisive in it's results, it may prove
not only fruitess but absolutely destructive. The
problem is to perpetuate reconstruction in the
spirit and on the principles which can alone assure
free Government. Should we effect reconstruc-
ton even after silencing the open opposition OF
the old political leaders, we stand committed TO
admit the reconstructed States into the Union.
Once admitted into the Union the power OF Con-
press over them is reduced practically to the gene
raj power which that body has over all States in
the Union.
By admitting these Southern States after
silencing the old political leaders and neutrazing
for the moment old political Influences Congress
and the people disarm themselves. The moment
admission into The Union ls accomplished, the
military power is suspen led and with it all restrlc.
leaders and the old personal and political infuen-
ces will resume Their activity, and we may nd too
late that such reconstruction as we have made 10
not only not what was needed and expected, but
what will simply result in reproduction OF the
same condition Of affairs which made reconstruc-
ton measures necessary at all.
Freedom OF speech and Of the press, education
equality before the law, and in political rights
and privileges, are the essentials Of any satisfac
tory reconstruction in the South. Without secur-
ing these we have secured nothing. How can we
know that reconstruction will accomplish these
results unless we know in advance the strength
and the power Of those who oppose it. Reaction
is certain unless the reconstruction party can win
the battle by decisive majorites over all the ele-
melts which oppose it, left to develope themselves
and apply their full force to the contest. II the
reactionists thus left free can defeat such recon-
struotion as this we then know what to do, what
in fact we must do, If we desire to perpetuate free
institutions. 1t is best to know all these things
before readmission into the Union is granted, It
will be too late to learn them afterwards. Now is
the time and this is the opportunity to complete
this work so that it will stand. Every dictate Of
wisdom and patriotism demands this work at our
hands, If hastily or partially done, reconstruction
will drag with 1t a train Of evils to this country
which can never be remedled. IL is not necessary
TO say that however we restrain the opposition
party now, The moment reconstruction is accom-
plshed thil party will regain its activity; and We
ought to know in advance whether it tgossesses the
power to undo what we thought we had done.
do not mean to intimate that 1t would be possible
to re-establish slavery; perhaps it would not even
be practicable to take from the freedmen the right
Of suffrage, though this latter is doubtful. These
politicians are willy and sagacious. They will make
no laws which are not equal on their face to all
men. 1t is in the execution Of these laws, which
done done, and condition Of things produced which
bear no resemblance to free government except in
name. Social exclusion, Withdrawal Of business
relations, open exhibitions of hostility, il not in
decd actual hostile acts, interruption Of or in
terierenas with the freedmens and other
from the North; these will be the weapons used
against Union men and the colorad rage, Acts Of
wrong and violence will meet no sufficient redress
il indeed any redress at all in the courts. These
are acts which cannot be reached by the General
render Justice impossible and establish discrimi-
nation against classes or color odous and unbear-
able. say, then, again, that unless reconstruc-
tion is established after the fullest development Of
oil the Influences against il by decisive msioFittes
in the South what we sought to destroy. We ought
to know in advance, if possible, whether the pres.
ence OF the leaders of these ncurable reactonists
and their active influence in this country COM
pahbla with the peace Of the country, and the
security ef Gur Institutions.
Another question ought to be and probably will
be decided in the course Of the coming canvass for
and against Convention. That question is this ;
Have the sluggishness Of mind and body and the
tendency to assa by violence the right Of opinion
and discussion, enSe9dered by habits acquired
during the existence Of slavery and the system Of
politics in the South untitled the people for such
selfgovernment, as is implied by free speech, free
press and the fullest peaceable discussion Of all
public questonsf
This is most important question. and one
which, If answered in the light OF existing facts,
reactionary ARti-R Reconstructionists use all the
instrumentalties ! have named except such as
they are restrained from using by the military au-
thorites but there is little doubt that they would
resort at once to the intimidation and violence
which long practice has made a habit, if they
dared to do so in the presence Of the military for
ces OF the United States, Candor compels me to
say that this tendency to repross freedom OF
speech is not confined to either party but prevails
though to much less extent, among the Recon-
Uniop men, or have lately joined the ranks Of the
Reconstruction party, It becomes the Govern
ment of the United States to frown upon such
measures by whatever party proposed, and no re-
buke 80 salutary or 80 pregnant Of good results
can be administered as for the Government to
pro.edt all parties in the exercise Of free speech.
Results will show what we must expect in the fu-
ture in establishing in the South what are cardinal
principles of our Government.
The foregoing remarks refer exclusively to the
white race in this District.
The condition and the future OF the colored are
far moro hopeful and encouraging, The earnest
and touching anxiey Of the freed people to learn,
cannot but make profound impression upon t he
mind Of any one who has had the opportunity to
observe it. 1t may safely be said that the mar
yellous progress made in education and knowledge
by these people, aided by the noble charitable con-
trihutions OF Northern Societies and individuals,