The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-10-01
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| We have long considered the day
of the Presidential election day of
evil. Some Of the fathers Of the
country thought che Republic would
finally. fall to pieces from the shock
of this periodical election. They did
not think it could survive for any
long period the bitter and violent
conflicts of parties to it. Indeed, it
has sorely tried the strength of the
Government; but 80 many defects in
its Constitution have been of late
years developed, that it is doubtful
whether there are not others more
perilous to the country than these
rapidly recurring Presidential can
vases. For instance, the usurpa-
tions of Congress and its power to
subvert the character and principles
of the Government, have appeared
since the war in light which has
directed the public apprehension to
that body as the source of greatest
danger.
But the Presidential canvass is
sufficiently fraught with evil to make
us all wish that the Presidential term
were greatly prolonged. The present
canvass is the cause of great deal of
injury to this nation. It has post
poned the restoration of the Union,
and continued the prostitution of the
Southern States to the general dis
advantage of the national interests.
1t was necessary to insure radical
triumph-if that could be done at
all-that the antiradical sentiment
of the South should be paralyzed by
the disfranchisement of white people,
and it was equally necessary for the
accomplishment of the same object
that the negroes should all be enfran-
chised and put upon an equality with
the whites. So also was it essential
for their success at the present ma
tional canvass that the passions of the
war, amidst which and of which radi-
calism was born, should be kept alive
and Wig
Nothing could be more disastrous
to the public prosperity and the pub
lie peace, than all these measures for
the maintainance of radical predomi-
nance in the Government. It was
apparent long since to observant men
that the radical party did not mean
to forego the employment of each
and all of them without scruple and
without honesty with all possible
efficiency.
So that we may readily see that
there has not been, and is not now q
hope, that W. may be in any degree
relieved from oppression, or from the
violent sectional prejudices which the
most atrocious falsehoods and exag-
geration of facts can inhame until
the election is over. What then to
expect will depend on circumstances.
We all hope and trust that Seymour
will be chosen; but whoever is, there
will be JOY and q relief when the
election is over. The day is one ever
to be dreaded. In the best of times
it most seriously interfered with buss-
ness, and very much affected the dis
position of capital. In the present
case it has afflicted the land with un-
told evils, and thousands of honest
men are praying that they may never
see another. Being the most ipjuri-
GUS of all that have occurred, there
will be general JOY when it is over,
and comparative relief from the dis
gust, irritation and distrust which it
causes.
MINISTER JoHNsoN's COMMISSIONS.
MIR. Reverdy Johnson presented his
credentials az TTnito6 Stofoo NT;n;sto,