The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-03-02
''LRr Us HAVE PEACE" "-Doring the
arly .yeors of the war, tho Radicals de-


early .years OF the war, tho Radicals de-
Cared themselves, on every occasion
wherein an expression of opinion was
possible, in favoriof restoring the union
OF the States on7 the same footing. .5en-
joyed by them prior to tho inauguration
OF the war of secession, or, in other
words, the war was to end as soon az the
South would cease its armed hostility.
The idea that the war was prosecuted for
the purpose of subjugatiou or revenge
was secuted ut on all sides, and Congress
even went to the trouble of making q
fiat denial of this proposition i'll n roso-
luton Which received almost the unani.
nous approval of both the Senate and
the House of Representatives. No, tho
war was to be conducted Oh purely con-
stitutional grounds, the rights of the
States were declared to be apart from
tho rebellion of faction of the popula-
ton. Secession was declared political
hcresy, and the ordinances passed. with
out any effect whatever. The Demo
cracy of the North sustained the propo-
sition thnt tue States were still in the
Union, and on this principle they stood
and fought aud won the battles Of the
war.
AS soon, however, as armed hostility
ceased, the Radicals declared that seces-
s!on was not an idea only; that it was
possible for States to withdraw from the
Federal Union, aud not only that. but
that certain States had actually severed
their connection with the General Go
vernment, and were not only out OF the
Union in fact but in law. When the
Democrats reminded them Of their for
mer nverments, they retorted by asking:
Would you have those who have been
engaged in rebellion against the Govern
rncnt go scot free? "Bnt the principle,
Democracy cried out. Don't amount
to anything" was the answer; ''wc arc
going to punish the South; wo now de-
clare that the Southern States have been
ont Of the Union, and in order to insure
the success ol. our party for ali time to
come NO are going to reconstruct the
States after u fashion Of our own"
Then followed IL host of unconstitu-
tional cDuctments; of robbery, of So
questration, and oil Acknowledgement. all
clothed with the characteristic nppella-
tlon Of reconstruction in the interest oil
loyalty. by virtue of these acts, aud
those OF secession. Virginia was denied
representation in Congress and the en-
joymcnt of all her former rights for
eight years and eight months; North
Carolinu, for seven years aud two
months; Mississippi, for nine years, one
month and fourteen days; Texas, for
nine years, and Georgia for ten years and
twenty five days. Tue war only lasted
four years aud "a few mouths, therefore
the States named suffered, on an aver
age, four years Of exile for tho offence OF
y, ceSsion.
In view of this fact, the demand fol
additional reconstruction, for more Con.
gressioual interference. is little less thar
barbarous aud is sufficient to bring the
blush of shame to any party, the despe.
rate fortunes of which mul1es such do.
mnnds necessary. Tho South has suf.
fcred enough for it's error; the time fol
peace aud reconciliation has surely ar
rived, aud we hopo the smelling com NIT
tee at Washington will disbu,lu at once
and the country be allowed little respite
from domestic broils and sectional strife
PMsbary Paper.
The NEW BAyoNET ELECTION ACT. =
Tue new bill. which has now passed botl
houses OF Congress, called the enforce
ment Act, and which is designed to ex
cced in Effectiveness as piece of eloc
ton machinery that of the last session
| will, it is to be presumed, become law by
the favor of the President. We have
heretofore given pretty full and accu
rate exhibit Of its astonishing provisions
under which penalties of fine and i'm
prisonment are imposed regarding the
| registration Of voters, which is virtually
to be taken possession of by the Fedora
officiuls, and also the conduct of the
eIections-the operation of the Act to be
no longer limited to cities aud towns oI
20, LOO inhabitants, if two citizens ask
for Its application i'll places of lesser
note. For any supposed Interference o,
non submission of State to Fedora
officers in these matters, primarily un
dertaken by the State itself, parties urt
| subject to be arrested without warrant
by the United States Marshal or Iii.
deputies, and provision is made for tho
transfer Of any snt brought by an ng
gr'cved citizen against Federal officer
from II State Count to United States
Circuit Court, and to render the judg-
ment Of q State Court in such case nul
and void.
Ii tins is not degrading and debasine
1,n ,fNex