The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-19
COLUMBIA. s. c.. FRIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 10. 1869

moD exist he might pause in the further ex-
ecution OF his order; if he will not then he
! may have hereafter grave doubts as to his
present action, and it may be, compunctious
feeling for Nil consequences.
But as regards the hot haste, rs has been
already said, it is certainly matter Of utter
surprise to all, so soon after the visit of the
two Aids of Gen. Grant, that his Excellepcy
should have complied with the joint reso-
luton. 1t was stated in the public press
that they had been in Columbia; had visited
his Excellency, and that on their return to
Washington, had reported South Carolina
as being the most peaceful, orderly aud
most encouraging, in its present situation,
OF any reconstructed State which they had
visited. How, then, comes, so early after
the report of these military Aids, the s,cifl
necessity for an organization, in the Depart.
ment OF tho Adjutant- General, of "an armed
force for the preservation of the peace" in
South Carolina? Two weeks have not
elapsed since those Aids of Gen. Grant are
said to have been in Columbia, and in this
short space of time, behold! m order from
h's Excellency for 81 force 10 heepMe peace of
Me State" Was ever change more sudden?
Was ever threatened danger snuffed in the
breeze more quickly?
These Aids must havo derived their in
formation from somc authority, either from
his Excellency or from the Chief Consta-
ole, 1"r these officers are presumed to know
nll matters in reference to the peace of the
State. Ii the report to General Grant was
SO made, it was true in all its proportions,
no matter from what authority it emana ed,
aud the present condition of the State
nbnndantly verities it. So much for the
present condition of the State; but what of
the future, his Excellency may we'll opine.
But, even in any probable contingency. has
he not, mt his simple request, garrison of
ready drilled and well organized United
States soldiers to assist in keeping the peace.
to which he fears outrage and violence so
suddenly? He may dismiss his fears. how
ever, and solace himself in the fact that the
re II citizens of South Carolina are n law
abiding people.
There IL only one matter in which there
is even any distant dapger-it is tie result
or the municipal election last had in the
city of Charleston. The conducting and
issue of that election is well known and and
upon contest. fully and very fairly de-
veloped before the then Mayor and Alder
men, (the majority being radicals,) ma
Jority OF these pronounced the said election
illegal and void, because of non-cODa Dliouce
and even disregard, of the statute which
prescribed the mode, manner forms and
oath required of those who were appointed
to manage and control it. The law gives
the right of protest to the party complain
ing, aud qualities the existing Council as it
is believed. to be the umpire between the
parties who Were candidates The men
who claimed the election, but to whom the
incumbent and now acting Council of the
city of Charleston would not award il. on
account OF Its gross and wanton iHe0alitv
have appealed to the Legislature the peyu
same 60ay which prescribed the mode and
manner, the forms and oath, and all other
matters incident thereto,) TO make oalid the
election, Notwithstanding It's ciearlv Dropen
oioldtion 0f The L0,O in The manner of conduct
ing a. G'M in 1efmce Of Mis high autltoritv
eohich Mey hrue set at naught. mow ask the
same h1gh authority to seat them as the Coun-
Gil Of Me city of Charleston.
were ever ignorance, impudence and un-
controlled outrage moro closely united?
Was ever such course heard of in anv
country which had aught to stamp it with
civilization? And yet this same LEGISLATURE
IS about to ylegdlise the Ui0lation of its O,on
laaos. and subniit to a defiance Of its o,on hioh
auttorityl u
1t liz presumed this law to validate the
election will pass in both branches of the
notwithstanding already passed the
Senate, and that it may prodnce unpleas.
ant consequences in the city of Charleston.
true' IL VIII be no slight outrage on the
rights and elective privileges accorded to
her citizens by the Act of this Legislature,
which prescribed the mode and manner of
the said election, but it must be submitted
IT, his Excellency for his approval or veto.
Ii he shonld not approve it. we will see and
Know whether this august body will pass it
over his veto.
1t Is supposed that the peace of the State
may be endangered by the passage of snch
an outrageous enactment; aud his Excel
iency's fears may have been the motive for
his order. premature as it is believed to be.
ana very unnecessary, rs regards the bur
den of expense. But the citizens of
Charleston are we'll known to he II HIGH