The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-21

fng and defiance on the part of those who arc
too evidently determined to command the shir
or destroy it. This, however, is an alternatly.:
only in words, for their continued command
must end in wreck. Before the close OF tue
present Congress, and within about three years
past, they Will have placed three different per.
sons at the helm. not that the incumbent
might hold the chip OF State steadily and safe
IL on her course, but with design to lash his
arms or throw him overheard if he ever
attempt to do 30 in precise accordance Will
his chart.
Happily, my anticipations may not be borne
out by the finding Of the Senate. But it woult
seem, from all We hear and read, that the ques
tion of President Johnson's innocence or gull
is not the matter to be passed upon. He II
more or less in the way, and consequently ls II
be displaced-not because such displacement
will be warranted by law or fact, justice or rea
son, but upon 'sthe plea o. State necessity,
under which the hand of the tyrant upon tht
bell-rope has so often, in other lands, and Il
these later years, shame to say in ours. atrlSl s
down the shield of freemen by ringing tht
knen Of "the great writ Of ofiberty.'
Fit be not singular, it is at least very fortu
nate that such gentlemen as you name shoule
be the five citizens towards whom the calm
mind Of the county is now turned and appa
rently concentrated It is an honor to the rep
reeentatiye names faithfully earned, and moi
less an honor to the patriotism and intelligence
Of the people. If every consideration likely tc
influence the momentous result be not dlspas
sionately and thoughtfully weighed, it win be
q blunder and crime.
With either Of these wise and patriotic citi
zens at the head Of national affairs, feel per.
feet assurance that everything would be done
that can be by man to arrest the surge o'
Constitution-defying Radicalism and to re-
store fraternity and peace, unity and prosper
ty. 10 the Republic. i.
IF through Divine Providence such an event
be in reserve for US, how joyously and hope.
fully ones heart would beat and hands go at
work to heal and restore, 70 meet every just
liability, however heavy, that touches the
honor and integrity Of the nation, through the
old system and habit of rigid economy and
stern fidelity. in fulflment Of every public
trust and obligation.
Even If I were certain what my judgment
will be when the fourth Of July shnll arrive
you are not, i hope, mistaken in believing
that would readily yield my personal prefer.
ences to ensure the overthrow Of the more than
incipient .treign OF terror now hurrying al
that is valuable to swift destruction.
There can be in the convention no possible
occasion for the sacrifice either Of principle OF
Just pride, and hence, while there may be-
ences Of opinion in regard to the platform, an6
decided individual preferences in relation tt
the person around whom 5the people are tc
rally for sour country, our whole country, ano
nothing but our county"-yet l anticipate
cheerful harmony when the work is done, anc
with it and beyond it complete success.
We can wisely postpone minor matters OF
issues that may hereafter involve earnest dis
cussion. The primary and overshad dowing OBJ.
ject OF oil conservative men is now, and vii
continue to be, to rescue the work OF the fa
theirs from destroying hands, and to save thu
foundations as they are, by a constitutions
victory at the ballot-box too overwhelming tt
be questioned.