The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-03-06
Editorial Pennings and Clippings
The Purpose of the Radicals.

PVoO
The intelligence and reflection of the South is
startled by the enormities practiced in the name
of liberty, by isose new theorists and pretended
statesmen who are just now holding high carnival
over the effete remains of civil and political free
dom in this section. Our thinking men cannot
perceive the purpose of Congress in striking down
all government here, and substituting therefor
the dictatorial rule of the military 10 the minds
of people unused to fanatical ideas, there is some
thing revolving in the extreme when Congress es-
says TO bring the South into abect submission and
utter humiliation, by imposing the restraint of the
bayonent to insure the accomplishment of party
purposes. But there is method in all this mad
ness, and there are men of intellect and nerve
whose designs are permeatng every progressive
act of this startling drama Among that class of
men, bereft of actual power but neverthe-
less of sufficient influence to accomplish much,
stands the great anti-slavery pioneer, WENDELL
PHILLIPS, who demanded negro suffrage more than
eighteen months ugo ns one of the results of the
war; He was then far ia advance of the party,
but they have since endorsed his position. With
the march of revolution, this neSer-ceashg agita-
tor again makes rapid strides in advance of the
seryile and dependent. He is supplying them
with brains, and while throwing out idcas as Vi
dettes sor others 10 follow, he compaeenty awaits
the progress Of events before proceeding further.
We cannot, perhaps, introduce an article more en-
tightening on this subject than the following from
the pen of Mr. Ph1htiPs, endorsing the original
IA
that its failure and subsequent modification must
provoke censure from the writer of the annexed
article but we decidedly of opinion that he is
faithful in portraying the purposes and designs of
the Radical leaders. First, military despotisrn in
the South-then the temosal of the President, and
next, control of the coming Presidential election.
The fret is accomplished in part, though not 10
the extent of Mr.. PHILbIPs' approval; the second
is in progress, but is scarcely sine qua non with
the party and the last is the crowning and prin-
cpal aim of the entire horde of ofice-seekers and
public plunderers. We have before, several oc-
oasions, urged this view Of our political troubles,
and we see no reason to change this opinion. It
remains to be seen whether this subserrience to
party ends is destined to engulph the framework
of republican government beneath its iron heel,
and destroy the last vestige of that hbstty be-
queathed by an honest and patriotic ancestry.
We quote the article referred to-:
We consider Stevens bill the best thing yet
offered. Congress has never before got so near to
real basis of settlement. No doubt the idea and
rule of anfe reconstruction is this [; no hitherto
rebel community should be admitted to any share
in the government until such guarantees against
secession, slavery, caste, and their attendant evils
are secured to render it absolutely certain that
no possible effort of NIL rcbcldom united could ever
disturb or dispaee one Of those guarantees an
ioata. This is the idea of reconstruction. Victo-
ry gives US the right to claim thus much. Alter q
civil war between Civilization and Barbarism-a
war between t,to ideas-the conquering party has
right to demand such security as will render it
impossible for the conquered idea ever again to
trouble its conquerors. Practical craftsmanship
should aim at this and come aJ near To it as pos
sible. But it must be remembered that such guar
antecs are not parchment agreements paper
amendments laid up in the archives at Washing
ton. The only trustworthy ginrahtees are those
out of which governments grow. In bur case,
these are education, tenure of land; free speech,
| equality of political rights, security OF person and
property, industry protected. In providing for
these We must remember the abnormal condition
of the negro at The South 1Iithcrtg detained
| from getting either instruction or property, the
victim of cruel, rclcntlcus, and universal preju-
dice for centuries, and just now douby hated be-
cause his weight in the scnle gave victory to the
North, his case cannot at present, be brought
within those rules which apply to ordinary COM
munities. fhe legal rcctgaiIi6h Of equal rights
is usually enough to secure, in few years, their
practical enjoyment by the class just admitted to
them But with the negro, in present circumstan-
ces, It is idle to expect this. These seeds Of good
government, education, and the rest, must not on
ly be planted; their normal, and healthy, and
gradual development mus be secured by adequate
protection from all opposing iniucnecs hitil they
are SO iar advanced as to defy harm.
All evdcnue from the South is Uf one kind
Every report shows that the strong arm of the
Federal government must hold the elements of the
rebelllcus territories in its grasp uhtil education
and the quiet possession CT land, pcaceabe exer-
else of political rights, continued enjoyment Of
civil rights, the habit Of free speech, and full pro-
lection to his industry and gains, shall have put
the negro into the relation to the other class
es of Southern society that the middle classes OF
Europe bear TO the richer and longer PRIVILEGED
| classes there,
When the South reaches this point, the different
classes and elements may be safely left to fight out
their differences and adjust their relations unin-
terferted NTH. Until that point Is reached, it is
both unjust to the negro and unsafe for the Union
to allow them unmi1cd selfgoyerument.
military supervision under Congressional SUI
perintendence is the best plan. Hence we welcome
This bill of Mr. Stevens. It must, however, be
bordo In mind That Our roTcrnnreut wir largely