Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-01-03
THE PROSPECT.

10 Judge from the proceedings OF congress, tnat
body is as much averse to restoration ofthe South
ern States, asst was when it adjourned. The mea-
sures most in favor appear to be such as will the
most efectually exclude the people Of these States
from all hope of participating in the government.
In proof of this assertion we need only cite the vote
given in the House of Representatives, on the re-
solution offered by Mr. BRoMALL, Of Pennsylva-
MIA. This resolution directed the Committee on
Territories, to report on the expediency Of pre-
pairing territorial governments for the districts Of
country, formerly occupied by the once existing
Southern States This high-handed proposal, so
contrary to all the principles on which the theory
Of our government is founded, was adopted by a
vote of l07 ayes, to 81 nays. Nothing could have
more clearly shown the consciousness Of power felt
by the Radical party or their utter disregard Of
the rights Of the weaker party, than this vote. 1t
gives the lie to the oft repeated assertion that the
war of the two sections was carried on by the North
for the preservation of the Union for by this &C
ton Congress boldly announces its intention to blot
out from the map of the Union, forever ten States
Indeed the resolution that the States there
in named have already ceased to exist, or, in other
words, that they have died out and it proposes to
provide territorial governments to take the place of
the former governments, which have thus expired.
One reason, doubtless, for this summary extinc-
ton of States, which have been treated as living,
when their consent was required for constitutional
amendments, and as dead, when that consent could
be dispensed with, is to be found in their anticpa-
ted rejection of the universalsufrage and general
confession-ofsin amendment. The executives of
the different Southern States have advised their
legislatures to refuse their sanction to it, and its u
innate defeat is certain, if none but constitutional
means are used for its adoption. Hence, the easi-
est way of carrying it through, is to take from these
States the power Of opposing it by reducing them
to territories.
What effect this will have on the States thus
robbed of the last shadow of their rights remains
to be seen. But as they have been virtually de-
prved of the substance for long time, the loss of
the shadow cannot do them much injury.
The real danger threatened is to the North-not
to the South for the tendency Of all such legsla-
ton is towards anarchy, and the North has all to
lose by the overthrow of constitutional government
while the South has already lost about all it can lose
The right to take from Southern State its form of
government may not seem absurd to politicians of
the Sumner and Stevens school; but it involves a
similar right with regard to Northern State. Let
the precedent once be established that State can
be extinguished by Congress, and the whole fabric
of this GLORIOUS Union" becomes house of cards,
to be blown down by the breath of any party that
happens to have the ascendency there. Just at
present that party hostile to U.S. but the time may
come when some other section may become the
object of its enmity Our country is now in po-
sition not unlike France after the revolution.
The republicans of that time began with cor
dial hatred of all loyalists, and did everything in
their power to exterminate the latter.
After this laudabe object was accomplished they
found causes of offence with one another, the natu-
raj result of which state of affairs was their cutting
each others throats, with as much relish as they
had formerly shown against the common enemy
From one great party, overwhelming all others,
they became number of factions, each struggling
for life, and from necessity, mercess to the Others
The tyrant Of to-day, became the victim of tomor-
row; and it was not till the strong hand of mill
tay despotism grasped the reins of authority that
peace was restored to the unhappy country And
peace, when it came, was purchased at the price
oflberty 1t is an old observation, that 'history
repeats itself" fso, is not the great republic of
the west about to renew the scenes of the reign of
terror in France?
Unless the lust for power and the thirst for blood
developed by the Radical party be checked by some
power outside of ITSELF we may yet see Sumner and
Stevens acting the part of Robespierre and Danton
They have the will, and the power, too, though as
yet the occasion has not been afforded But if the
guillotine must be erected in America, we of the
South, being removed from the seat of power, can
reasonably hope to escape its horrors In the fierce
contests for the mastery which may hereafter oc-
cur among the chiefs of rival factions we are of too
small consequence to be more than incidentally in
volved. But the fanatical party which now exults
in our overthrow last year, may find that victory
the dearest bought triumph which any people ever
achieved. Unless their strides towards irrespon-
sible power are checked, they will bring the coun-
try to that state of anarchy, in which it can no
longer remain republic, and must submit to the
despotism of some military adventurer.
LITERARY EXCHANGES.
GoDEY's LADY's BooK.-This sterling fashion
monthly for January, visits our table with its usual
share of attractiveness. Cooley is one of the few
publishers at the North, who has steered his sheet
clear Of politics, and sectional bitterness The read
ing matter is confined entirely to such subjects as
offend neither the tastes nor opinions of any. As
fashion sheet and journal for the housewife it
has no superior.
The January number is replete with melange
of useful and ornamental Subjects and we know
enough of the character of the publisher to war
rant the assertion, that the succeeding ones will not
be deficient in this line. We will send the En-