The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-05


the repeal OF those measures OF Congress
which imposed upon the rebels test oathS and
Acknowledgement. It is a step toward univer-
sal amnesty, and q gratifying evidence OF mag
napimity that this resolution should come from
negro.
From the New York Times.
Our dispatches from the Carolinas yesterday
furnish indications of growing desire for the
removal OF whatever disabilities still remain IN
operation there. The Governor of South Caro-
lima renews recommendation to the Leglsla-
ture for the adoption ola liberal policy on the
subiects and tie North Carolina Legislature
has before it, with many evidences OF approval,
proposal to petition Congress for the abroga-
ton of the only remaining form OF prescription
which affects citizens Of that State; -,
With couple of exceptions, the constitu-
tions Of the reconstructed States, toeether
with the legislation had under them, may be
claimed as proofs of the rare moderation and
una appreciated iberality of the Southern Re-
publicans. They entered upon the possession
of power amid strong temptations to abuse 1t.
The majority of them must have felt that they
were engaged in contest, failure IN which
would be followed by wholesale disfranchlse-
ment And yet, aside from Arkansas and Lou
isiana, we search in vain for the enactments
which Democratic majorities would most as
suredly infict upon colored Republicans. The
constitutions framed by the Republicans OF
North and South Carolina, Georgia aud Flori-
da, and made valid by Republican votes, are
marvels Of magninimity; and. the Constitution
of Alabama has, by subsequent legislation,
been divested Of the illibcrality which in the
first instance crept into it.
And now, leading Southern Republicans ad-
vocate the abolition OF remaining disabilities,
over which Congress alone has CONTROL
Neither in South nor North Carolina is there
any disfranchisement. The only disability ex-
listing in either is the exclusion from Federal
Office provided by the Fourteenth amendment,
which Congress may, by two-thirds vote, at
any time remove. It is with view to the re-
moval of this disability that Governor Scott
invokes the cooperation of the South Carolina
Legislature. The ground on which he places
his recommendation shows, moreover, how
promptly an abatement of Democratic hos
The fact that, since the election, Wade
Hampton and his south Carolina asso-
ciates have evinced q disposition to ac-
cept the new order Of things is the basis Of the
plea on which Governor Scott is prepared to
ask for Congressional iuterposition. In this
respect, perhaps, he does but apply. the re-
commendation Of the Chicago Convention. one
Of 'sthe removal Of tho disqualfcations and
restrictions imposed upon the late rebels in
the same measure a. their spirit OF loyalty
will direct. and as may be consistent with the
safety Of the loyal people," But it is good
sign that the men who most promptly desire
the execution of this idea are Southern Be
publcans, 10 whom the Democratic press per-
sistently imputes spirit of hatred and un-
charitableness. How unjust is the alloga-
ton, these expressions of current opinion
from Charleston and Raleigh sufficiently prove.
The convictions in which they originate are
aot confined to the Carolinas. Both in Ten
nessee and Missouri the subject Of disfranchise-
as ihe result i,t 6. i55ai law, engages in
creasing attention. In both, too, Influential
exponents of Republican opinion are found on
the side Of liberalty, and as friend' OF speedy
amendment Of the existing Franchise laws.
Senator Fowler and a defeated Republican can
didate for Congress are among the friends OF
conciiatory policy in Tennessee; and even Gov
ernor Brownlow is not to partial abate-
ment of Acknowledgement. The discussion IN
Missouri has brought ont similar expressions
of opinion, and there, as in Tennessee, the more
enlightened policy of tolsration must ultimately
prevail. AS the excitement of the rebellion, and
Of the political struggles which have succeeded
it, dies away, we confidently believe that the
Republican party everywhere will be almost
unit in favor Of the course suggested at Chicago'
and now echoed back from Charleston.