The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-15
CHI A r L E S TON
MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY is, 1869.
The Public Drift.

! VIVA The Public Drift.
| Gentlemen from the North assure. us, and
the tone of the press seems to confirm the
statement, that considerable change of
opinion in regard to Southern affairs is
taking place-a change so considerable, in
deed, as 10 bring the conservative Repub-
lioans and the conservative Democrats upon
substantially the same platform.
The Springfield, Republican, one of the
most thoughtful and Influential organs of
that party, made confession Immediately
after the elections, admitting the fact of o
growing opposition TO Radicalism and even
OF majority hostile to the general legisla-
ton Of Congress. The November victory
was not achieved by the Republicans as a
political organization. The only issue made
before the people and decided by their votes,
was that Of SO good administration and q
| faithful execution of the laws" But if
the support of the people had been de-
manded in behalf Of the general policy of
| Congress, 1'they would have been found
wanting under the test" Whereupon the
warning is sounded against any extreme
legislation and any shirking of those meas
ures of reform which the public welfare
demands. it}f
Already it is easy to observe the general
drift. The oracular sentences of General
Grant, the speeches (semi- Officially of Mr.
Washburne, and the tone of the prres, all
t, ind. a 4
new administration will adhere. They are
mainly two-the adjustment of the revenues
and the perfccting of the Reconstruction
acts.
In fpance, the people demand return to
the2simp!icity and frugality of peace ad-
ministration The taxes must be reduced.
Special legislation in behalf of corrupt spec
| ulators and arrogant ''rings," of whatever
sort, must cease. There must be an eco
nomical administration in all the depart
ments of the government. To this finan-
cial policy General Grant is committed.
Upon its conduct will depend, not only the
success of his official career, hut the integ-
rity and existence Of the Republican party
In regard to the Reconstruction acts, it
Is conceded that they have two offensive
features requiring modification. The first
consists in the imposition of political disa-
bilities. These might have been tolerated
by the ruling majority, however unconsti-
tutional, had they not failed Of their object.
They have not secured the permanent tri-
umph Of party. They have served, for q
time, to give Fictitious Importance to infe-
rior men and to the unintelligent classes.
They have encouraged. an alienation of
State, and between the States and the Gem
eral Government. In such case it is mere
empirical treatment to appoint committees
on election Irregularities in South Carolina
or any other State; the first duty of Con-
gress is to withdraw it's ipjunctions upon
the legal privileges Of electors. There is
reason to expect that the new administra-
tion will act upon this line of policy IS
In regard to another important feature,
the opinions Of thoughtful men Of various
political compilations display closer corr
| respondence. The Language Of the Repub-
lican is very significant. "Unqualifed ne.
1 "gro suffrage" it says, s'will not bear ex-
animation, and must eventually be modi-
''iied; but the circumstances OF, the stu a,
'tion are so difficult and peculiar, that an
immediate change is not practicable. All
"that can be done hereafter, all, indeed,
"that is desirable to be done, is to intro
"duce throughout the country an educa-
"tional test, impartial with respect to celor
"and ses, by which the suffrage will be lin
cited to persons Of some intelligence,
"whether black, white,i red or ytllow." II
we leave out the sitalicised portion of this
extract, embracing concessions which pub
lie sentiment is notprepared to yield, what
remains indicates the policy which the con
servasive Republicans will endeavor to in.
augurate. twill give us q vastly bett Ell
condition of things nt the sc..L ..ha... !.
have enjoyed since the termination Of the
war. a5g& ~ Ssgsss @
II the Congressional committee, whom
the war-horse Whittemore has sncceeded Ii
i securing for South Carolina, shall consis,
4 Of practical men who will fairly investigate
the present modes, appliances and results
u OF election, we doubt not that the cause Of
y good order will bo promoted ia the State
II will be found that the influence of tht
Bureaus was potent; 4stlat the ignoran,
among the electers voted In drovss, at thu
bidding Of authority, and under the expires,
or implied pledge than their partisan fidei.
4 ityswould DO literally rewarded swish mule.