The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-20
COLUMBIA. $40.
Friday Morning, December 20. 1872.
Justice and inteleranoe--A Contrast.

In his day been foremost among exttem.
lets inftopposition to the social system Of
the South. At the outset of his career.
he set himself keenly to the business Of
abolishing. slavery; and when this was
accomplished as the result of the civil
war. he was just as stern and exaoting in
his efforts to secure, by appropriate legis-
lation. the newly -enfrsnohised black race
in their civil and political rights, We
have often Thought that in the pursuit Of
these objects, he was sometimes unrea-
sonable. depunoiatory and ungenerous.
A tinge Of intensity and prejudice, the
remains Of old strife, and unpleasant
personal experience. seemed to stain his
feelings, and. on many occasions, to i'm
part bitterness to his language. But at
last. when his work was done, his nature
underwent change for the better. The
partisan disappeared, and the statesman
rose to view. Dignity, equanimity, tole-
rance and enlightened policy henceforth
characterized his course. Like Horace
Greeley. he buried the memories Of old
strife, and presented front OF kindness
And consideration towards those against
whom he had long stood in hostile NTH
tude. In reply to the taunts OF Speaker
Blaine, who. ghoul.like. sought to revive
unpleasant "reminiscences Of the per-
sonal encounter between him and Pres
ton Brooks, lie nobly said. that he had
never cherished resentment against
Brooks while living, and would he the
last to disturb his remains in the grave.
He mado no public reply tosimilar objur.
cations OF DR.. Francis Lieber. who, soon
after the attempt to az Upon Sumner the
inconsistency of forgiveness, was himself
called to his long home and final account.
Senator Sumner has lately stirred sn-
other hornets nets Of indignant remon-
STRANGE and vituperation from some
small heroes ahd unappeased warriors,
because he has proposed, on ths floor of
the Senate. TO erasefrom the flags Of the
republic and the register OF the army all
Inscriptions, mementoes and tokens iof
the battles and victories of the Union
armxin the }ate,war. He has beeb cal led
quickly to aocountfor thissattsmpt to re-
movefrom theview Of, offiosrs en- d:troeps,
who are henceforth to be; Selected from
all sections of the country alike. the
boasts and nophies which marked the
unhappy contest between them. He
has been roundly denounced by those
who neither share nor appreciate his
spirit and sagacity. in the hiassashu-
setts Legislature, Mr.. Hoyt has offered
q preamble and resolutions, which de-
signste Senator Summers timely and
sensible action as an ''attempt to de-
grade the loyal soldiers OF the nation and
their grand achievements" and as
worthy of unqualified condemnation. f"
This squeaking voice, like that of the
grumbling Thersites, would be best sup.
pressed by treatment similar to that
received by the ancient worthy at the
hands OF Ulysses, and by the oppro-
brium of q similar brand fixed upon him
as the meanest man in the army. Men
OF real achievement are not so tenacious
OF little things, not so unrelenting in
temper, nor so poverty-str in re-
sources of honor and credit. as to cling
as their lust hope of renown to the
faunting symbols which perpetuate en-
nifty and rancor. They bnry the hatchet,
close the bloody chasm Of division, turn
their backs upon what is revolving in the
past. and are content to remit to the
pages of history and the judgment OF
after times the records, memorials and
traditions which concern it.
AS We write, dispatches inform us that
the resolution Of MIR. Hoyt has beon
adopted by decisive vote in both
branches Of the General Assembly of
Massachusetts. But vote they never so
fercely, they cannot dint the good name
or hurt the clear conscience of their Sc.
nator. His purpose will be approved
and admired, when they are all dust and
forgotten. SO shines good deed in O
naughty world. Mr.. Hoyt and the lie.