The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-25

weaken the strength of their attachment to
''lost cause;" how, in the most complete way
to Undue them with conviction that the
United States is their country as well as ours,
and that to it they must look as their chief OBJ
ject of loyalty rather than to the section whose
cause was lost.
On this question it is my misfortune to differ
with nv distinguished friend from Michigan as
to what is the true policy. On this question /
do not seek guide for my steps IN the bitter
ness, the acrimony, the hatreds begotten by
the rebellion. No senator on this floor has
less cause to be personally favorable to rebels,
as such, than myself come here by no reDel
support. The vote Of no man who took part
In the rebellion was cast for me. Though 1or
more than eleven years citizen OF South Car
olina, there have never been open to me the
doors of dozen men who were Implicated In
the rebellion. No bribe of social favor among
men who were rebels has ever tempted me to
show the 'ardor and zeal Of friendship" for the
enemies af my country. But as a senator
from South Carolina when ! allow personal
considerations Of this character to control or
determine my conduct, shall have forgotten
the principles which have governed my lie.
am unfortunate in having made the I'M
preston upon the mind OF the senator from
Michigan that took the position against the
test oath, and against the continuance OF tne
disabilities imposed bV the Fourteentn amen9-
ment from "the ardor and zeal OF my lrlenu,
i
the remarks made on the subject, and am
at a loss to see what sentence, what line, what
word contained therein indicates any such mo-
tive. am friend, trust, to all the people
OF the State which has honored me with q seat
in this body; but, Mr.. President, am not
friend to them as 'rebels" or .late rebels" l
am friend to them, as would GO the offices
of true friendship; and ] rejoice that when
take the position of an advocate Of the repeal
of. the test oath am acting as friend to the
whole people of my State, because am open
ING up way ofstrengthening the Republican
party, and acting also as friend to the loyal
people ofthe country by doing something TO
existed between the hearts OF Northern and
Southern men.
And permit me to add that see no logical
connection between the removal Of disabilities
and the return Of Jefferson Davis or Robert
Toombs to their old places OF honor and trust
in this government. If the public sentiment
of Mississippi or Georgia is 80 thoroughly dis
loyal as to render the election Of men like
these probable, then our reconstruction Is
failure, and time only will relieve us from the
evils legislation has sought In vain to cure.
But If, as believe, the vast majority OF the
people Of those States care little lot Jenerson
Davis or Robert Toombs, or any other rebel
leader, except as they are compelled to think
of them as under the ban OF ineligibillty to
public office, when you remove from them the
badge of distinction which they wear and
parade they will sink into that insignifcance
which is the common fate of the defeated
leaders of lost cause.
But, Mr.. President, however necessary II
may be thought to except from bill Of relief
from polN(cal disabilities such marked cases
as those of Davis, Lee, To6mbs and others,
certainly it is not wise or necessary to shut
out from all opportunity for participation in
national affairs the great number Of those who
are affected by the provisions Of the Fourteenth
amendment and of the Test act.