The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-01
The Reaction.


Through those thick mists and clouds of
prejudice that have bewildered the Northern
mind, ever since the war came to an end, the
light begins to break. The patient people who
have waited for reconstruction year after
year-who have been told that it would be
effected when Andy Johnson had been dis
placed, or when such or such an. amendment
had been passed, or when the Ku-Kluxes
had been intimidated or when General Grant
had been elected, or when Yankees who had
gone a-stumping at the South joined hands
with their Northern brethren in Congress,
are now beginning to fear that it will not
take place until the skies drop larks or the
moon turns to green cheese. They are be-
ginning to understand that reconstruction
is euphemism for obstruction and destruc-
ton. They find that Radicalism has no OBJ
jective point, and offsrs no resting place.
It's progress is like Satan's fall, 'from deep
''to deep"
Thoughtful men have not forgotten how
Georgia, Notwithstanding her compliance
with the terms imposed upon her, has been
remanded to worse than territorial condi
ton. And they now observe that the Con-
gressional leaders claim that q like inter-
ference may take place in any State. Con-
sistently enough! For if the rightto "guar-
'antee republican form Of government"
authorizes the appointment of dictator to
control the Legislature of Georgia, it au
thorizes the quartering OF garrison in the
State House OF New York. If Congress has
the right TO decimate and Radicallze Dem
ocratic Legislature to the South Of Mason's
and Dixon's Line, it may exercise similar
control on the other side Of that now obso-
lete sectional boundary.
In referring to the Georgia case, Mr.. Bird,
OF New Jersey, recently expressed convic-
ton which deepens in the Northern mind.
Such sentiments as he uttered have been
heretofore denounced as disloyal. The time
is coming when they will be esteemed as the
distinguishing badge of American patriots,
and when all wise, pure men will see that
they relate to the salvation OF the country.
Said Mr. Bird: IF I understand the temper
''of the people, this strange, unnatural and
Outrageous interference with the rights of
"a free people will never be accepted by
'those who sincerely love a constitutional
'form OF government honestly and faithfully
administered. You may append this change
s'to the constitution, but the people Of many
Estates will neither respect nor obey it. 1t
'swill be denounced as illegitimate, and those
swho stand as its sponsors to-day will in the
shour of its peril flee from its vindication. 1t
''will be ignored and resisted. Great and
sovereign States will not yield to an intole-
''rabIe degradation at the dictate OF force,
''whether it be aimed at them through
Congressional majority directly or through
''the action OF far off State.
"The end is not yet. This system OF recon-
"struction is monster which will create
.'storm, tempest and disorder, until the peo
''ple, by the ballot or otherwise, overthrow
s.the authors There is no safety from des-
'potism but in preparation to reject this
"ilagrant wrong; and let the issue come. If
1--WE save ourselves and this great political
inheritance, we must do it through the just
'and fearless vindication of those rights by
'some so long despised and rejected-the
'rights of the States"
These are manly and noble words. They
indicate to the citizens OF every State the
path of political safety. The Radicals must
be overthrown, or the commonwealth is
ruined In our own case the eyigency is so
great that we feel called upon to make every
sacrifice not inconsistent with principle and
honor, for the purpose of defeating the titled
thieves who are wasting the resources, pill
laying the treasury, and staining the hitherto
spotless fame OF South Carolina. In the
name OF magnanimity-yea, in the name of
liberty, we have been oppressed and plum
dered. We have had felons assigned to us
as magistrates, as representatives, as Con-
gressmen. Aud now the dark and terrible
shadow that has eclipsed the glory of our
heroic States begins to move Northward.
The apprehension Of danger creates friends
lor US among our enemies. And we, if the
Radicals remain in power, have nothing to
expect but new exactions, new expressions
anu new vlilanies-beggars on horseback,
ieiohs In charge OF the public purse and the
sword of the State ,rmod r,oroo,,r;o- r,,.
aging like wolves, and at their own fierce
Will Casting into fcttcrs and dungeons The