The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-06-27
Rcmeyna OF Disabilskzes---The Re-
asly II ward or Partfs,a naysip. ~

Romcynai OF observation-disclosures Sx1e-
,l,ly ,eE ward or Partfsansysip.
The bin removing political disae
bilities from certain citizens Of the
South has at length passed the House
by thsrequisite tworthirds' vote, and
will doubtless become law. Some
200 persons, at present disqualified,
will thus be made eligible for Office;
and many of them will forthwith
step into positions to which they
have been elected under the recon-
struction Acts.
So far, this is good. We are, like
Mr., Brooks, Gin favor of going into
the pardoning business, wholesale
and retail, and shall be glad to see
the vote Of yesterday repeated until
the main body of existing disabili-
ties be removed. Such result is
confessedly desirable on general
grounds. The District Commanders
have again and again testified as to
the hindrance which the work of re-
organization experiences in conse-
quence Of the imposition of disabili.
ties. In the debate on Friday, the
same fact was admitted by Messrs.
Farnsworth and Garfield. eff Con-
gress does not remove political disa-
bllities from white men in the South
orn States" said Mr.. Farnsworth.
sthe consequence will be that there
will be white mans party and q
black mans party there, and the
black mans party will go to the
wall. MIR. Garfield was equally en-
phatic. "The passage of this bill, :"
he declared, ''is absolutely essential
to the establishment of the recon
structed governments. It is plain,
from these and similar statements,
that reconstruction suffers from the
penal legislation already in opera
tion. Not only does it deprive the
States of the services of able and
trustworthy men, but it forms con-
stant source of class irritation, and
in this way prevents the harmony
which must precede the return of
solid peace and prosperity.
What is the inference? Obviously
this-that q general evil should be
met with q general remedy; that the
mischief resulting from the imposi-
ton of disabilities should be recti-
fed, by the enactment of O measure,
removing all disabilities, as q means
of promoting reconciliation, local
and national. The complaint is, that
reconstruction is obstructed, and that
class is arrayed against class. Well.
put IN end to the obstruction, and
avert hostility, by the adoption Of n
policy that shall affirm, as u princi-
pie, what the bill which passed yes
terday promulgates as personal and
partisan favor. By no other course,
will the difficulties which confessedly
exist be terminated; by none else
will the requirements of Justice, or
of an enlightened expediency, be
fully satisfied.
The plan of removing disabilities
by q series of retail measures, would,
at the best, be open to grave objec-
tions. It is tantalizing and offensive
to the multitudes not embraced in
any single bill. It conveys an idea
of favoritism, in reference to those
Immediately benefited, and adds to
the sense of wrong in the minds of
all beside. The present bill, for
instance, wears m invidious look. It
parades 200 persons as the recipients
of boon, which is withheld from
thousands in every respect as well
entitled as they to relief. 1t suggests
a system of bargain and sale, of sub
serviency on one side and patronage
on the other, Of rewards doled out to
partisan adherents and punishment
inflicted on all who dare to be oppo-
nents.
A general measure, removing disa-
bilities as an act of generosity and
expediency, should be an accompa-
niment of reconstruction.
Ne'c York Times, 23d.
FATAL AFFRAY AT FERNANDINA.-