The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-12
WHAT IS In A NAME

1t is fast becoming the fashion now'to style
every one Radical who happens to differ from
us, in regard to the course to be pursued by
our people in their relations with che Govern
ment of the United States; just as years ago,
and indeed down to period within the memo
ry of men now living, it was the custom hero
to brand man an "Abolitionist," If he ex-
pressed opinions, or was even suspected OF
holding opinions, at variance with ours That
term sAbolitionist," was the embodiment OF
the sum of all villanies. 1t was not so much
the meaning of the term that carried oifence'
for there was nothing inherently disreputaDle
in being IN Aboltionist. 1t was in the manner
in which the epithet was bestowed, and the abb
sence of oil principle it imputed to the man to
whom it was applied, that constituted the In
suit. An anccdote is told of the late Hon. JAS.
L. PEr1GRU Some one called him Federal
list, and it is said he answered with blow.
Yet, as he afterwards remarked, had the same
individual called him o scoundrel or thief, he
should not have resented it at all. We had an
anecdote, almost identical with this, from the
late Hon. WIN. c. PRESTON, giving an episode
of his own life. Some one called him an Abo-
litionist-he resented it in the same manner as
did Mr.. PETIGRU. 1t was not that either OF
these gentlemen would have felt insulted at be-
ing considered Federalists or Abo,itionists, in
the original and proper sense of these appella-
tions.. But it was otherwise when the term
was ostensbly used in IN opprobrious sense,
and nothing but insult could have, been in
tended
Just as it was with obolitionism then, it is
now with tho term "Radical." Argument is
troublesome and logic gives some people the
headache, while abuse and "calling names" is
easy, and within reach even of the most
mediocre capacity. Prejudice, willful ig-
norance and intolerance go hand in hand;
and our people make great mistake, if they
look to the north of Mason's and Dixon's Line
for the discovery of these qualities. There is
no doubt the people of the North has been
much misled regarding us, and, we believe, are
full ofprejudice in regard to relation to them
and to the Central Government. This prejudice,
we believe, extends to the past to the present and
to the future. But our people should remember
that we have perhaps erred to an equal extent
in contemplating the North and the Govern
ment of the United States for so many ears,
exclusively from our stand point. The Is
prejudice on both sidcs and in order to e. ct
arestoration of the Union, and thoroughly ~
cable and cordial relations between the Tcol
of the two sections, we must, both South an
North, 10y aside prejudice, learn to bear and
forbear, but above all must we endeavor to for
get the past, with her bitter memories.
We must cease trying to quench truth by
"calling Names" 1t cannot be done. The car
of revolution and of progress will speed its
course; it will not stop because deluded self
styled conservatives will cry "radical, and
expect to scare it with abusive words, as the
Chinese used to beat their gongs and blow their
penny trumpets, to frighten the English men
| of-war off their coast. Let the obstructives be-
ware, or the said car will crush them, and they
will receive the martyrs crown perhaps before
they shall be quite ready for it.
Derisive epithets are not arguments to en-
tighten or convince. They may carry the laugh
with them for o while. Tho thougltless mul-
titude is easily swayed, especially when the
demagogue panders to their prejudices and
fatters their vanity. This course has already
been pursued too long in our State; and much
harm and but very little good has accrued to
her in consequence. Is it not time, high time,
to adopt different course? The pages of the
past lie open before us, written in letters OF
blood. Why not con the lessons they teach !
Would it not be wise to consider what has
brought all this ruin to our doors? Who are
the authors? Who counsclled us to the course
that remotely and proximatcly led to the war
What did we gain by those counsels? Where
arc the men who thus advised us?
The war closed, but as We have seen, the
sentiment of some of our people at least, has
not undergone any material change. They still
resort to cpithets. Whosoever thinks different
from them is denominated radical. Not that
they attach any definite opinion, or set of doc
trines to this word. 1t is used merely as term
of reproach. 1t is held to be synonymous with
all that is pernicious in government; q "talis-
manic Shibboleth," rs it has been we'll ex-
pressed. "for arousing the Antics, like RHoD-
En1cx Duu's bugle,, Ito rally their clans.''
"Renegadcs" is another term, fast coming
into use. This refers to men who, whether
soriginal secessionists" or not, threw their
fortunes with the Southern Confederacy, but
now since that has become sdead issue" have