The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-03-09

Is. ~.SuSos Va pdCiCyS -uu0 OuE country re-
1 ceived its first great check. its FIRST stun
ming, staggering and withering blow from
the hand OF misfortune; land after the terri
Die calamity has swept over us, we are to-
day brought face to face with the sad havoc,
ruin, disasters and evils it has wrought
Contemplating the melancholy spectacle
before u.s. remembering what we once were,
considering what we ought to be, and look
ing with anxious solicitudn to the future.
the question that addresses itself with ire
sistible force to every intelligent mind and
patriotic heart is, what shall we now do?
What is tho course of true wisdom and
sound policy in this critical juncture of our
public affairs? What measures what plans.
what line of action, practicable and attuina-
BILE in our present condition, will soonest
and best enable us to remove the evils and
difficulties under which we labor, and re-
gain that heritage of rights and liberties
bequeathed to us by a noble and heroic
ancestry? This is the great paramount
| question of the day. and its proper solution
demands our gravest and most attentive
consideration.
1t is the opinion of your correspondent,
that you have chalkcd out the outlines of
course of action and shaped policy, which,
If followed with energy and perseverance,
to its legitimate results, will bring about
the speedy and effectual relcase of South
which she is now locked, and her restora-
ton to her proper place in the Union, with
form OF State government framed by her
true sons to suit the new condition she
must henceforth occupy in the great sister
hood OF States
What we need Mt the present time more
than anything else are practical statesman
ship and common sense view Of things
While we keep first principles in view and
g r tp In oti
far as possible we should adapt our course
to the exigencies and circumstances Of the
case, like a prudent and far-seeing man does
IN his private business. Important as the
course or policy of the new President and
the probable complexion or action of the
next Congress may be to us, in their bear
ing on our condition in the future, we are
moro Immediately and far moro vitaly
interested in our State govci nmant, under
which we have now to live, and to tho sup
port of which we have to contribute in
taxes. Though deeply sensible of the
harshness, injustice and oppression OF tie
Reconstruction Acts; though fully satisfied
that tho State governments organized
under them are political bastards and abor-
tons; yet if that is to be tho prevailing
policy for the time, and those governments
are to be recognized and sustained by Con-
gress, there is no other alternative left us
ourselves to the work of amclior;ting our
condition, conrrecting and reforming the
present system 50 far as VIC can, and pre-
venting further abuses and radical errors in
legislation, until we can obtain control of
our State affairs again, when we will have
Constitution more adapted to her wants and
interests, and IN consonancc with the char
acter and genius of her people.
Such q line of action will involve the
n, nf li,,i,o n,,1o e.,
which we are contcnding. Nothing is to be
gained by clinging to obsolete issues and
worn-out dogmas. The South lost the dis
tinctive principles for which she fought,
and their adjuncts and incidents, for veal
or woe. must inevitably pass away with
them in the course of time. We have
entered upon new era in our section Of
the country. We are undergoing traasi
ton from an old to 4 new order OF things in
our State, and those who do not rise up 10
a full conception and appreciation Of our
reel situation, are unfit to lead and direct
the public mind. Ii they did no mischief,
they arc only dead weight whic! the pro-
gressive and patriotic Democracy must
carry. The people in the mass arc honest,
and if they are properly instructed and en-
Eghtened on public questions, they will
always do right. The sons of Carolina he
hnved nobly in the war; their past record is
DflSnt ana glorious; let them now prove
themselves equally great i'll the walks of
peace. Let them show to the world that
they possess that moral heroism and firm
ness, that love of law and jnsticc, that in
telligence, virtue and patriotism which are
essential and necessary to establish and per-
petuate good government and render IL
people prosperous and happy.
Deeply and profoundly impressed with
the great importance of this matter. I have
written more than 1 Mt first intended. If
this letter is acceptable, it will, perhaps, be
followed by others, rs duty and inclination
may prompt, and opportunities may offer.
Bnt they may reach you irregularly, as my
mail facilities at present are limited. Your
fellow Democrnt