The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-05-14

norton OF the orders was made, he would have
learned that in some parts OF the State one or
more of tho local judges had decided that nothing
but gold and silver could be tender In the pay
mont ,fcontracts; that such decision had pro-
tluced great apprehension and alarm, because the
enforcement of it would result in tho aggravatlon
of their distress, which, without it, was almost
overwhelming; that it was not only, therefore, the
condition of the State-in which every local bank
had suspended specie payments, and therefore god
and silver could only be procured at rates which
greatly increased the original btedness-Dut II
was positive enactment OF the Congress OF tho
United States which had been drawn in question
Tho people of tie State, it may well be supposed,
would be MS little inclined to accept the mistaken
bencyolepce Of an advocate who would insist, i'll
their ruined and impoverished condltlon, upon
their discharge OF their obligation with all addl-
ton of more than thirty per cent, because OF the
demand for gold, as would General Sickcs to
adopt tho a,lrico of one WHO would have him ig-
more tho laws OF the Congress OF the United
States and set the example to others OF obodlence
to the laws, by his own disregard tor and violation
OF them.
i'ba5 these orders could have been construed
into m enforcement IF this mode Of payment in
cases where Congress had specially provided for
payment in gold OF silver could oaly pc tho work
Of one who either would not read that he might
understand, or would not understand. however he
might read. And very slight knowledge OF the
lirst caEons of construction, and little care ID
the reading of that which he was about tU >nstrue
would have shown him that all OF the powers
which were exercised, and all of the provisions
which were made in these orders, were, IN the
words OF the orders, subordinated, as they should
have been, to the laws of Congress- A.,
In the conclusion OF his article the writer In the
Intellieencer very plainly exposes, as indeed he
had indicated in his opening, some personal plque
or private and personal wrong, which provoked
him to the crude attack he attempted. General
Sickles can afford to wait with patience until the
conventions shall assemble in these States and
If NAV then appear that the members OF these
bodies WILL by their consideration OF the several
notifications which have been made In the exist
ing laws-modfcations rendered at once neces-
sary by the peculiar condition OF the people OF
these States and at the same time in perfect con-
sstency with the progressive Legislation OF an
civilized natons-prOnounce an opinion as TO their
excellence different from that which the writer IN
the Inteligencer has, with temper not to DO mis-
taken undertaken to adjudge. 49,
Ii the meanwhile, there are these points OF dill
ference between General Sickles and the writer IN
the Intelligencer which, i'll the consideration Of
the conduct Of tho one and the attack OF the
other, may not be overlooked.
General Sickles has established beyond caVl his
devotion to his whole country, his unWaVerlng
purpose to perpetuate the institutions which we're
established when the States became ma ton Wlli
the writer in the Inteligencer compare hls record
with that which General Siekles has placed with
the archives Of his country? General Sickes has,
with purity Of purpose which is everywhere &C
knowledged, for nearly two years, discharged MS
duties IN and over the people whose conduct ne
was sent to control, with o moderation, hrmness,
and impartial Justice which has commanded the
approval Of all. viii the writer in the lntelhgencer
compare any service he has rendered with TINS
which General Sickles has performed9 General
Sickles has faithfully and firmly executed ald en-
forced the laws Of the United States, and as BE-
cured that willing obedience to the Goyernme ent OF
fine limited States under tile influence OF which these
States in his military department have contormed
to bis advice, and yielded acquescence TO the re-
quirements of Congress as preliminary TO taer
tion the most difficult political problem which mas
ever been presented IL undergoing peaceful,
happy solution; and everything justlties the e4,
poctation of the successful accomplishment OF
what the good and wise OF tho land desire. WI
the writer of the Intelligencer compare his mo-
tives, actions, or expected results with these,
which are presented by General Sickles?
General Slckles has, by his temperate exercise
of the great powers which he possesses reconclled
the people Of these States to the measures OF Con-
gress, against which so much has been SAID 1or
| fhe purpose of exciting them to opposition, and
will restore the people OF those States to the peo-
pie Of the other States, in that temper anu under
such feelings as will enable him to say they are
not in name only, but in fact-not with the mouth,
/ but with the heart also-a part Of the people OF
the United States. Will the writer In the lntelil-
gencer say what he will do, or what he will attempt
to do like this -,
With such motives as influence him, with such
conduct as has illustrated such motives, with such
purposes to accomplish as are anticipated results
OF his conduct Gene al Sickles Las little to appre-
hend from the carping criticism of those who arc
alike incapable of nppreciating the difficulties and
responsibilities Of his position, or the motives OF
| the measures which he cherishes and desires for
the restoration Of these States, and the reconsuc
ton of that Union for the perpetuation Of which
he has perilled his life, and in the defence o.
which his mutilated body will be an eloquent and
enduring record to challenge tho respect and con-
fdence Of all brave men, and of all good men, II
the length and breadth OF our land. ,,,-ro,r