The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-16
The Removal of the Political Dlsnbilt.
ties OF General M. c. Butler.

The action of Congress in promptly re-
moving, by special bill. the political disa-
bilities of GeneralM c. Butler, the candidate
OF the Uuion Reform Party for Lieutenant
Governor of South Carolina, hos an unmis-
taxable significance, and will have amarked
effect upon the progress Of the State canvass.
Congress, as a general rule, has been
chary 81 restoring any prominent Southern
men to their full civil and political rights,
and. has usually demanded Of them, as
preceding condition, an open alliance with
the Republican >party. There are names,
however, in the general disability bill, al-
ready passed by the Senate, which are worn
by men who, while they recognize and obey
the laws, are not affiliated Republicans, and
the relief of General Butler is further indi-
cation of the adoption by the Congressional
majority, of policy far more liberal and
just than that Of the past four years. What
after all, are the demands of the South
Only that the Southern people, upon the
platform Of equal rights and obedience to the
Constitution, be allowed to elect to Office
men whom they can trust, and who have the
experience, or til, native ability, demanded
of those who wpuld direct and control the
Governments Of the States! This is the
whole demand. There is no desire speaking
for South Carolina, to exclude the colored
people from the enjoyment of any right OF
any privilege. 1t is conceded by the Union
Reform Party that the blacks are entitled to
representation; but it is required that the
government shall be, not black mans gov
erment, nor white mans government, but
q government of the sOdole people-fairly
representative truly intelligent and skilful
and thoroughly and incontestably honest.
Such government, in oil its completeness,
cannot be had while every citizen of South
Carolina who held State or Federal office,
and afterwards took part with the Confede-
rates in the late war, is excluded from official
position.
This CALLING exclusion has cramped our
most generous desires and most earnest en-
deavors. And it was keenly felt at the time
of holding the Union Reform Convention.
A well known Republican official was nomi-
mated for Governor; but when it was pro-
posed to nominate for Lieutenant-G Governor
ycang South Caroliuian-a representative
of the energy, liberality and progressive
thought of this year Of grace-the bar Of
ineligibility stood in the way, and the pur-
pose was abandoned. 1t was insisted upon,
however, mainly by the colored delegates,
that General Butler be nominated, and the
nomination was unanimously made Now,
Congress has done its part, and General
Butler stands as an unshackled man before
a people who are striving to free themselves
from the despotic sway of ignorance and
vice.
And upon this point the action Of Congress
is susceptible of simple explanation. The
Union Reform Party OF South Carolina is o
State organization whose object is the puri-
acation of the local administration and the
election to office of able and trustworty men.
No national question, as national political
parties now stand, enters into the canvass.
The platform Of the Union Reform Party is
recognition OF existing laws, organic and
statute, as accomplished facts, and it invites
all honest citizens to unite in grand effort
for obtaining State Government which
shall represent faithfully and equally, not
whites or black, Radicals or Democrats, but
all classes of our citizens. And Congress,
in making General Butler eligible to hold
the Office to which be will be elected, brayely
declares that it will not stand in our way;
that it will not prevent this people from
driving into obscurity the thieves and ruff
fans who now riot at the State capital; that
it will not embarrass frank aud sincere
people in their manly endeavor to throw off
the weight OF unjust laws and excessive tax
alton, and to bring to merited disgrace the
horde Of adventures who pilier the public
funds and squanler the resources Of the
State.