The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-15
CHARLES TON.
MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY Is, 1869
The Public Drift.

Gentlemen from the North assure us, and
the tone of the press seems to confirm the
statement, that considerable change Of
opipion in regard to Southern affairs Is
taking place-a change so considerable, in
deed, as bring the conservative Repub-
licans 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
growing opposition to Radicalisn and even
of majority hostile to the general legisls-
ton OF Congress. The November victory
was not achieved By the Republicans as
political organization. The only issue mads
before tho people and decided by their votes,
was that of so good administration and
ssfaithful execution of The laws" But if
the support OF the people had been de-
manded in behalf Of the general policy of
Congress, ''.hey would have been found
"wantiag under the test Whereupon the
warning is sounded against any extreme
legislation and any sinking of those meas
ures of reform which The public welfare
demands.
Already it is easy to observe the general
drift The oracular sentences of General
Grant, the speeches (semi-oticiaD of Mr..
Washburne, and the tone of the press, all
serve to indicate the measures to which the
new administration will adhere. They are
mainly two-the adjustment Of the revenues
and the pcrfecting Of the Reconstruction
acts.
In finance, the people demand q return to
the simplicity and fragality of peace ad-
ministration. The taxes must be reduced.
Special Legislation in behalf of fcorrupt.spcc-
ulators anu arrogant "rings," Of whntever
sort, must cease. There must be an eco
nomical administration il all the depart
ments of the government. To this 6nan-
cial policy General Grant is committed.
Upon its conduct will depend, not only the
success of his official career, but 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 unconsri-
tutional, had they not failed of their object.
They have not secured the permanent tri-
umph of party. They have served, for
time, to give Fictitious Importance to infe-
rior men and to the unintelligsnt classes.
They have encouraged IN alienation of
feeling between the citizens of the samo
State, and between the States land the Gen
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 its ipjunctions upon
tte legal privileges of electors. There is
reason to expect that the new adnin;stra
tioa will &C. upon this line of policy.
In regard to another important feature,
the opinions of thoughtful men Of various
political compilations display closer cor
respondence The language Of the Repab-
iican is very significant. "Unqunlifed ne
"gro suffrage" i; says, "wilI not bear ex-
"amiuation, aud must eventually be modi-
sfied; but the circumstances of the siiua
..iion are so difficult and peculiar, that An
.'immediate change is not practicable All
"that can be done hereafter, all, indeed:
ssthat is desirable to be doac, is 10 intro
''duce throughout the country IN educa-
'stional test, impartial with respect to color
ssaud sea, by which the suffrage vii! be i'm
s.ited to persons of some intelligence,
sswhetner black, white, red Or yetto,o." II
we leave out the italicised portion of this
extract, embracing concessions which pub
lie sentiment is not prepared to yield, what
remains indicates tho policy which the con
servative Republicans will endeavor to in
augurate. 1t will give US vastly better
condition of things OF the South than We
have enjoyed since the termination of the
war.
If the Congressional committee, whom
the war-horse Whittemore has succeeded in
securing for South Carolina, shall consist
of practical men who will fairly investigate
the present modes, appliances and results
of election, we doubt not that the cause OF
good order will be promoted in the State
It will be found that the influence of the
Bureau was potent; that the ignorant
among the electors voted in droves, at the
bidding of authority, and under the express
or implied pledge than their partisan fdel-
ity would be literally rewarded with mules
and Offices and acres It will be found that