The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-12-11
S. c.:
Sunday Morning. December ii. 1870.

COAUW WlDlAs Sss VI
Sunday Morning. December ii. 1870.
REMOVAL OF PoLrrIoA1 DISABILITIES.
The New York Times. in an article
upon this subject. makes the following
wholesome admissions, which will do
very well for Republican paper:
.'Considering what has happened in
Missouri. we trust the question Of q
general amnesty will receive an early
discussion from Congress. The result
Of. the election there has shown one
thing clearly-that there is, or is likely
to be, enough division OF sentiment
among Republicans in all the Southern
States on this subject to make the con-
tinuanoe of the existing disabilities, i'm
posed on persons guilty of having taken
part in the rebellion, probable, if not
actual, source Of dissension and weakness
iuths purity; and this division is likely
to grew wider and deeper as, time wears
on, and the passions excited by tho war
subside. Moreover, there is very
general and very we'll founded feeling at
the South, that these disabilities are
Injurious to the business interests of the
Southern community. Apart from its
influence on State politics, it is not
possible to divide q community into two
clnsses, one Of them under o cloud, and
governed BY the other, without oreating
or protracting more or. less bitterness of
feeling; and from bitterness of feeling
business always suffers, even if it does
not show itself in open violence. It is,
however, of the utmost Importance, both
to blacks and whites, that business
should prosper, and the tide of immi-
grafton be attracted South of Mason s.
Dixon's' line, and it will not be SO
attracted 80 long as existing political
questions, deeply affecting mems feel
ings as well as their interests, remain
unsettled in that region. The character
Of The men soho haze risen to the surface
an Southern politics evey since the acdr, and
particularly Of that portion of them aohich
has been contributed oy the aodr, has done
the South serious damage, moral as ,ceu as
material, and ii aoiU moi be aaended greatly
though we think the colored voters
are rapidly beginning to understand the
Whittemores-untl The aoAole community
Of each State is adnaiAed to The management
Of Hs affairs, and that This may be done,
.oil9oM ddnsdga a'olD, aoe haze no doubt.
In the last five years the negroes have
learned to take care Of themselves pretty
we'll, both at the polls and. otherwise.
and in. this field of activity they are
certainly more likely to improve than to
go. back.
...Then, it must. be remembered that
the ex-rebels, be they bad or good, use
full or mischievous, are not going to leave
the country They nre here among us,
an element, and large, important and
influential element, in the population.
1t is one OF the principles, and soundest
principles OF our Government. that all
clements of the population, bad or good.
ought to be represented, and that the
safety of the State requires that each
should have recognized outlet for its
feelings and opinions, whatever these
may be-"
The Northern press, of both political
parties, come out decidedly in favor of
universal amnesty, and declare that such
is the sentiment Of the Northern people.
If it is, why have they not taken steps
to give practical effect to these wishes?
Why are not meetings held and the Rep
resentatives and Senators of the North
called on to mako this tribute to peace?
Thousands upon thousands Of their fcl-
!ow-citizens in the South, and the hest
men we have, are to-day disfranchised
under Government that claims to be
Republican and free for aN, and is there
nothing in this humiliating spectacle to
call forth an emphatic expression of pub
]ic opinion at the North?
THE PREsENTMENr OF THE GRAND JURY.
The presentment of the Grand Jury,
to which we have already referred, will