The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-12-10
of error, VIII sooner or latersbe RS 8
warded d'WitR Tie Tespec ctaand grsti-
'tnde of ,ha 5inte1iigentI audpatyiotics

Nshso Ohhl1oAubSuiS6ultR RuQ EHExlOUICs
people. @ Onr lowni country, xthough
emb bracip g; q period less than o centu-
~, affords striking proof. that most
it Huot)all, ,our domestic troubles are
directly, traceable to violation of the
organic laws and excessive legislation.
The striking illustrations OF this fact
are furnished by the enactments Of
the past three years upon the ques-
tlon OF reconstruction. After sore
trial: they signally failed and proved
abortive, principally in their results,
and there seems to be no good rea-
son why they should longer remain
upon the statute book. States to
which the Constitution guarantees G.
republican form of Government
have been reduced to military de-
tendencies, in each of which the peo-
pie have been made subject to the
arbitrary will of the commanding
general, although the Constitution
requires that each State shall
be represented in Congress. Virgil
mia. Mississippi and Texas are yet ex-
cluded from the two Houses, and,
contrary to the express provision in
that instrument, were denied parti-
cipation in the recent election for
President and Vice President of the
United States. The attempt to place
the white people under the domina-
ton Of persons of color, which has
impaired, if not destroyed, the kindly
relations that had previously existed
among them, and mutual distrust has
engendered a Feeling of animosity,
which, leading in some instances to
collision and bloodshed, has prevent
ed that cooperation between the two
races, so essential to the success of
industrial enterprises of the Southern
States. Have the inhabitants of
those States alone suffered from the
disturbed condition of affairs, grow
ing out of these Congressional enact
ments? The entire Union has been
agitated by grave apprehcnsions of
troubles, which might again involve
the peace of the nation. It's inter
ests have been injuriously affected by
the arrangement of business and
labor, and the consequent want
OF prosperity throughout that por-
ton of the country. The Fed
eral Constitution, the mayna cha,Id
OF American rights, under whose
wise and salutary provisions We have
successfully conducted all our domes-
tic and foreign affairs, sustained our
selves in peace and in war, and be-
come great nation among the powers
of the earth, must assuredly be now
adequate to the settlement of ques-
tions growing out of the civil war,
waged at one time for it's vindication.
This great fiat is made most manifest
by the condition of the country.
When Congress assembled in the
month of December, 1865, civil strife
ceased, the spirit of rebellion had
spent its entire force in the Southern
States, the people had warmed into
national life, and throughout the
whole country healthy reaction in
public sentiment had taken place
BY the application of the simpler,
yet effective, provisions of the Consti-
tuition, the Executive Department.,
with the voluntary aid of the States,
had brought the work of restoration
as near completion as was within the
scope of its authority. The nation
was encouraged by the prospect of an
early and satisfactory adjustment of
all its difficulties; Congress, however,
INTERVIEWED, and refusing to perfect
the work SO nearly consummated, de-
clined to admit members from the
unrepresented States, adopted Sc
ries of measures which arrested the
progress of restoration, frustrated all
that had been so successfully accom-
plished, and after three years of agi-
tation and strife, has left the coun-
try farther from the attainment of
union and fraternal feeling, than at
the inception of the congressional
plan of reconstruction. It needs no
argument to show that legislation
which has produced such painful con-
sequences. should be abrogated, or
else made to conform to the genuine
principles of Republican Govern
ment. Under the influence of party
passion and sectional prejudice, other
acts have been passed not warranted
by the Constitution.
Congress has already been made
familiar with my views respecting the
tenure Of Office bill; experience has
proved that its repeal is demanded
by the best interests of the country,
and that while it remains in force, the
President ponnot on;o;, +bot 49,, 4