The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-13
The Terrlbie s6aatsr-Iss 4 ssI,s ssv;lo,iiatIon.

q The Terrible Eoanter-Rsyoiaticn,
Il Speaking of the Kentucky and
Iother recent elections, the New York
Herald, OF the Sth, tells some whole-
some truths. 1T says: So far from
the nomination aof the radical Con-
yention strengthening the backbone
OF that faction, or the nomination Of
Seymour and Blair weakenipp the
spinal column of the Democracy in
that State, they have turned events
the other way. These results nre
but the early indications-thes skir-
mish fire, as it were-of the great
revolutionary battle which is about
to open. If the other State elections
which are to come off between this
and the Presidential contest in No
vember should happen to give like
indications of popular hostility to
the radical usurpations and corrup-
tlons, who can tell but that the nomi-
nees of the Chicago Convention NAV
be overwhelmed by the weight Of
radical mal-administration since the
rebellion was wound up by General
Grant that they have to carry on
their shoulders? If we look ut the
facts which confront the people
when they come to vote, we find that
taxes to the amount of three thou
sand millions of dollars have been
imposed ION us. We find that the
national debt has been increased to
the tune of three thousand millions
more.
And this, when the country is at
peace and the people had right to
hope for reduction of taxes aud the
national obligations rs the fruit of
victory won, God knows with what
terrible sacrifices to every home and
hearth in the country. But instead
of the load being lightened, we are
called on to bear further eXactions.
to submit to increased expenditures.
In order to keep a portion of the
country in subjection, more troops
are called for. Men foisted into
Congress from the Southern States,
and Governors who really represent
little more than mock constituency,
demand from the Government an
expensive army to assist them in car.
rying out schemes and ambitions
which are purely partisan and are
positively destructive of the peace
and good of the country. It is facts
like these which meet intelligent men
of all parties when they come to cast
their votes, and we cannot be sur
rrised that majorities are found to
protest emphatically against a con-
tinuance of this kind of government.
The people demand q change; and
1t Is the people. and not any particu-
lar party, who will make the issue at
the approaching election. Names
and individual candidates count for
very little i'll this contest. It is n
cheap Government, honestly admin
istered, in view of the fact that the
country is at peace, which the people
require. A serious counter-revolu-
ton, therefore, terrible to the politi-
cians, no doubt, but good and whole
some for the people-because it is
beng born OF the peoples at hand.
Nothing but the marvellous activity
OF our population, and the untold
resources of the country, could
enable MS to bear the present burden
VI eoAutiou, oF INDUCE us 10 submit
to carry it so long. But it is evident
that n reaction has set in, and it
may be that, in the course of events.
ms now foreshadowed, the next cleo
tlons will result in sending a majority
to Congress, possibly, in favor of
repudiution, but certainly in favor of
vast reduction of the present enor-
nous taxation. The public mind
leans that way.
Let us have peace-real peace-is
the popular cry, and the popular
heart naturally yearns for the posses
sion of that prosperity which should
accompany peace. The result of the
Presidential election may be 80
vaguely decided in the conflict be-
tween the rights of the Northern
and Southern States, in the matter of
franchise as regulated by radical
legislation, rs to drift us into another
civil war; but it is clearly the duty OF
the Northern States to set the seal
emphatically npon tho issue by their
votes and leave nothing to chance or
no opening for conflict. the ex-
preston of anti-radical sentiment, in
the late elections in Kentucky and
Oregon, is but the precursor of q
great counter-revolution, upon the
verge of which the country stands.