The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-31

The ultra Radical presses are quite Jubi-
liant over the amnesty Act. Their felici-
tatiors on the occasion are not at all in
keeping with their past Indifference on
the subject. Mr.. Greeley has stood
lonely enough amongst Republicans, ap-
pealing to the President and to Congress
to give the country the benefit OF an
ACT OF amnesty that might help to
soothe the bitter animusities of the day.
But now that this is done under the
pressure of the strong feeling in favor of
sing hosannas to the President and Con-
gress. and declare that amnesty having
passed and become law, there is no
longer any ground for Greeley and his
followers to stand upO1.,
How very wide they are of the mark
Amnesty per Sc was small matter. Dis
connected from u general liberal policy
which shall restore personal liberty and
Stute equality, and take from the hands
of tho President the power to shut up
every State Court and Legislature in the
Union, it is worth absolutely nothing.
Immediately after the passage of the
amnesty Act, did we not see Grants
friends in the Senate pass IL bill extend
ing the authority Of the President to
suspend tho writ of hd6eas corpus until
next year, What did that mean? Did
it not imply that although they would
give US the name Of freedom and equali-
ty, they would still give General Grant
the power over us to hang, draw and
quarter us if he pleased, and to abro-
gate all State authority at the point OF
the bayonet, if that suited his purpose7
They would give him power over the
ballot-boxes vt the Presidential cleo
ton to manipulate them to his own ad-
vantage. and furthermore, the power to
intimldate his opponents and favor his
supporters SO as seriously to affect the
aggregate votes of both sides TO his own
advantage.
Suppose that all such objects and in
tentions be denied. We ask for what is
such extraordinary power over the peo.
pie of the States aud their local govern.
ments demanded? Is it merely to put q
means of destroying Republican govern.
ment and robbing the people of their
liberties into Grants hands as play.
thing, just to please him, as we would
put u toy into the hands OF child to
amuse hIm2 It is not common for the
party leaders to do any such thing. II
is entirely out Of the order OF politica
acts for any such authority to be put il
ucu . uuuus lOT uOtuluB. LII lS HlWaJs
intended for something, and what is thn
something?
Assuredly amnesty and the suspension
of the writ of hubeas corDus are utterly
incompatible. To make the citizen free
aud then hand him over to the mercy o!
one man, is robbing him OF his right,
and his liberty. That liberty which il
held by the frail tenure of one man.
will aud caprice is no liberty at oil. anc
Republic which puts personal liberty
in such peril is u mockery.
The Amnesty Act was cocrced. aud it,
passage was tribute to that Liberalism
which finds no place in Radical hearts
Their true spirit is developed in the &C
Of the Radical Senators Immediately
afterwards. which went to place every
citizen under the unlimited tyranny o.
one man. The Liberal Greeley amnesty
is but part of u system of measures
intended to restore equality to State,
and citizens; to re-establish local Stat.
authority; to lift up the pressure of per
secutions of the South by cArpet.bae
rule; to establish honest administration
of Federal affairs under the guide OF the
Constitution and laws, and to bring the
whole people together in harmony ant
fraternal good will. That is the Clncin
natl platform .-Richmond Dispatch.
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