Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-20
General Candy on the Removal of olit.
icaI Disabilities

The official testimony in fay, r of the adop.
tion of liberal policy toward the Southern
people steadily accumulates. General Sickles
was one of the first to dwell upon its impor-
tance, with special reference to his own expe.
ricuce as Commander Of the Second District
General SchCfitld has more recently pleaded
for it in Virginia. Aud now General Candy
ansmits through General Grant communi-
cation in which he earnestly recommends a
modification of so much of the reconstruction
plan as rests upon an enforcement of the test
oath.
The conclusion arrived at by the present
District Conimander Of the Carolinas is, SUBJ
stautially, that which has received the en-
do,sement of all but extreme and sinister par.
ties. Adventures from the North, whose
chance for obtaining Office is largely contin-
gent on the disqualification of residents, and
malignant partisans who would punish differ
ence of opinion as g heinous crime, unite in
praise of tests and disabilities as means of
''makipg treason odous," and securing for
loyalty its reward. Apart from these classes,
there is an almost unanimous desire to relax
the rigors of Congressional rule, and as far as
possible obliterate painful and humiliating
distinctions. General Candy declares, as
General Sickles declared before him, that
grave interests suffer from he exclusion from
the public service of that large body of South
ern men whom the law technically disquali
fes. The men when it is desirable to ap.
point to Office, or to have elected to office,
are technically debarred by the test oath !;
and thus, as General Candy remarks, active
and Jealous friends of the Union and of resto-
ration" suffer. The State suffers in still
greater degree, since it is deprived of services
which in the present critical condition of az
fairs are pre-eminently required. The aid
which the test cath for the time renders unat
.ainable is tray described by the General
as '' essentially important to the speedy Or
eanization and successful working OF the new
State governments.'
Another consideration is suggested, which
is little less important. Irrespective OF the
question of availability and service, it is desi
rable to remove whatever causes oS irritation
lend to obstruct the smooth working Of the
new Governments. Neither the authority of
Congress nor the presence of the military
can enable the country to dispense With pop
ular good-w will as an element in Republican
rule. True craftsmanship, then, dictates the
removal Of whatever tends to create oppoS-
ton without producing any countervaiing ad'
vantage.
And foremost among the obstacles which
may be thus described is, unquestionably. the
test oath. General Canby urges its abroga-
ton, and the abrogation of disabilities gene
rally, as policy that will not only be aceep-
table to large majority of the Southern peo.
pie, but that "will disarm much of the oppo-
sition which the new State Governments
must expect to encounter, and contribute gen
erslly to the permanent success Of the work
of reconstruction"
The loyalty and patriotism that inspire
these recommendations should secure for them
more than passing attention when Congress
puts the finishing touches to its plan By dec-
ding on the admission of reconstructed States.
New York Times.