The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-10
Night and Morning.

Among the novelties invented by Radical
ism none are more worthy OF reprobation
than its summary method of deciding upon
the rival claims of candidates for office. To
elect is the function Of the people in all rep
resentative governments. But Congress has
given to State Legislatures and TO military
satraps the precedent and authority to usurp
that power. This has been done i'll Wash
ington, in South Carolina, in Georgia. 1t is
an integral part of the policy OF reconstruc-
tion, which has perverted for partisan pur-
poses the third section OF the XIVlh Consti-
tutional Amendment
That amendment denies Office, whether
under the United States or any State, to
those who befrlended the Southern cause,
after having, at whatsoever distance OF time
or under Whatever circumstances, taken an
oath of allegiance TO the General Govern
ment But it allows Congress, by vote of
two-thirds of each house, to remove said
disability. This provision is Objectionable
on two accounts: First, because it fetters
the privilege of suffrage among free peo-
pie, by excluding from Office every states
man and representative man among themi
second, because it offers them o bait to elect
persons who are indeed disfranchised by the
amendment, but who are so unobjectionable
in other respects that it may be reasonably
concluded that they can secure the two
thirds vote by which their disqualification
may be removed. To declare suck persons
not elected, as Congress has recently done
in the case OF Georgia, was bad enough.
But to go further, and to assign their seats
to the candidates whom they defeated, and
whom the people repudiatcd, in free cleo
tion-aS Congress also has donc-is an out
rage upon republican government. 1t gives
power to men whom the people condemn as
unworthy OF rule. 1t gives currency topo-
litical principles which the people, in the
most solemn manner, denounce as unwise
and inimical to their prosperity. 1t assigns
to aliens the government of free States.
Can the most irresponsible despotism do
more?
To our mind, the contest in Georgia is
simply shameful. There we see the repre-
sentatives of great State challenged and
dismissed at his will by military dictator
Bullock, Northern express agent, gorged
with plunder and still seeking more-Blod-
gett, an ex-Confederate captain, stepped and
dyed in perjury. now manipulating the votes,
and now the heads OF ofrecalcitrant members
Bryant ex-superintendent of the Frcedmen's
Bureau, mouthing and fighting for the Dem
ocracy-in short, flock Of buzzards flut-
tering and screaming, and tearing at the
vitals of q prostrate State. Such is the BAN
quet which Radicalism has spread; over
which General Terry presides, whose stencil
rises up as sweet incense in the nostrils OF
Sumner, leader of the Senate and of Butler,
leader of the House. Such is the spectacle
displayed to the nations by the great, the
free, the constitutional republic Of the West
ern Continent.
But there is one comfort. States and races
have an amazing vitality. They oftentimcs
grow most rapidly, like the palm tree, when
weights are put upon them. A people who
retain their manhood, their industry, their
virtue, cannot !ccs !ccs wear the yoke, nor need
they wait for the vindications of history.
Having distinct end to accomplish, united by
u common wrong, inheriting the legends and
the personal recollections OF q heroic past, cul-
tivated, practiced in large and liberal states
manship-we OF the South certainly have no
reason to despond, or to doubt, even amid
the grievances and expressions of the times,
that 'the day of our redemption drawelh
"niyh." Every year larger number OF
Southern youth, whom the XIVlh Amend
ment cannot disQualify, are entering upon
the arena of political life. And the present
voters Of the South nay even now accom-
plish much by submitting to and adjusting
the circumstances in which we are placed,
so as to insure the defeat OF Radicalism.
Nay, are we not in some respects rcprehen-
sible sor the condition OF State affairs, iu
having so long neglected the resorts OF a
sagacious policy and suppressed the inspira-
tions of sustaining hope?
Some of the shrewdeSt observers OF the
drift of public affairs, already, like the New
York Sun, acknowledge that the mission Of
the Republican party is nearly completed;
that its one idea, is worn out; that it is torn
by the jealousies of hostile factions and rival
leaders. And everybody knows that "when
"rogues fall out, honest men get their dues. !"
The Reign OF Corruptions -