The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-25
The Came of Reconstruction.

The special committee OF the Unlted
States Senate, entrusted with the duty oil
raising new crop Of outrages and disor-
ders in the Southern States, will doubtless
do its work in way that will satisfy the Bit
terest Radical OF them all. The only Demo-
crat on the committee is Mr.. Bayard, of Del
aware. The other members are dyed-in-the-
wool Radicals supporters Of any
measure which promises to strengthen the
enfeebled constitution of their party. They
are Scott Of Pennsylvania; Wilson, of Mas
sachusetts; Chandler, Of Michigan; and Rice,
of Arkansas. Mr. Morton, the father
of the committee, declined to serve OIL the
| score Of ill-health.
The committee has before it wide and
fertile field. 1t is entrusted with the respon-
sibility OF declaring whether the Southern
States shall. be allowed to govern them
selves, or be remanded to the tender mercies
of the Sickleses, Canbys and Terrys Of
military reconstruction. It is to probe the
bosom Of Southern society, and ascertain
whether men vote freely, and whether life
and property are secure. And in South Car
oina there is work enough to occupy the
committee until after the 4th of March. The
iniquities Of the State election law, the in
timidation OF voters, the Btufiing OF ballot
boxes, the manipulation Of returns, the cor
rupton Of State officials, the outrageous
conduct of the negro militia-all these
should be Investigated, and the committee
might sup full Of horrors political. But,
happily for the committee, all these evils in
South Carolina, are the work OF Radical
Legislatures and Radical officials. There is
no investigation for us. The Radicals are
in power, aud they can do no wrong. 1t is
only where, in plain words, ait is rea-
sonably. certain that the electoral vote,
two years -hanca,--ppill -eo cuSt for the
Democratic candidate, that the CON-
mittee proposes to work. It will find
no word of condemnation for Kirkes'
lambs in North Carolina, because they were
the creatures of Holden. 1t will cook up q
bloody roll OF riot and outrage now that the
Old North State is under Conservative rule.
Even the pluuderng OF Lowry, the Radical
negro bandit, in the mountains on the bor-
der, will be laid to the charge Of Couserva-
tive North Carolina. 1t will be the same thing
in Georgia aud Alabama. The committee
will rake up the transactions of the past four
years, reopen the whole question OF recon-
struclion, and endeavor once more to make
the Southern States Radical for all time.
The Executive is fully in accord with the
Senate Committee although few weeks
ago he apologzed for his forgetfuluess in
emitting to recommend in his message the
passage Of an amnesty bill. AS it is ''or-
"ganized to convict" tie committee will go
as far as it dare. Yet We do not fear tn C
result. The Congress which convenes on
the 18th OF March is far more liberal than the
body now in session. In the new Congress
it will be impossible to reopen the dead past
and give the South another dose OF recon-
struction. The only. hope is in pushing
some violent measure through both houses
before the 4th OF March. This is not likely
to be done, and fit be done the act will be re-
pealed before it has time to do much harm. All
men, except the professional politicians, are
sick of turmoil aud strife. All honest men
desire that the Southern States be left un-
lrammelled TO work out their mission of pro.
gress and peace. Yet the Radical majority
in Congress, who have struck down industry
and para!lyzed commerce, and shaken conf
denco by reckless legislation, now propos.,
two years in advance of the Presidential
election, TO convuse the country with new
| agitation which shall stih more derange
every business interest and retard the march
OF prosperity. They have rope enouyh-let
| them hang themselves