The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-17
plished and to think little about the

plished and to think little about the
dangerous means employed. The abuses
OF the war insensibly Infatuated them.
selves into the practices of peace. Now
look around you-look at the young men
who were from ten to seventeen years
old when the war began and who are
now from twenty-one to twenty eight,
constituting full one third part of our
voting population. Consider what
school those young men have gone
through. They have scarcely ever seen
or heard anything Of the constitutional
restraint OF power. What they have
heard and seen was only bold assump-
tlon and strong exercise Of governmental
authority. They were taught to be-
lievs in it's necessity, to submit to it. to
justify it, to aid it. Why, gentlemen,
the Constitution OF tho United States
became hardly known to them by name.
That is only tradition and experience,
under which they have grown up; and
now some OF taem are taking part in the
control Of the Government. There IL in
this statement an undeninble fact suffi-
cient to fill with apprehension the heart
of every friend OF constitutional 60
vernment aud popular liberty in this
country"
In justification of the Cincinnati call,
and of tho efforts of the liberal Repub-
cans, which ho 30 gallantly leads, to
throw of the shaokles of the partisan
when they cramp the patriot, Mr.
Sohurz says:
'Are there not times when, to do his
whole duty to the country, the citizen
must rise above the party? You see the
bonds OF partisanship loosening on
every side, in spite of che entreaties end
thrents and imprecations of tho whip
pers-in. There are everywhere signs Of
breaking up, just as the ice breaks up on
your rivers in the spring time. It is 40,
l tell you, not only in the Republican
camp, but, in spite of whatever the
party orgars may say, in the Dem ocratic
camp just the same. 1t is everywhere
to-day. And why is this? Because
neither of the two old purties, rs mt pre-
sent constituted and directed, satisfies
the requirements Of the times. Wo are
living IN period of transition from one
epoch to another. Great events lio be-
hind us, which wrought great changes.
Neither of the old organizations has
risen to the height OF the policy which
these changes brought us. Both are
encountered with altogether too much Of
luggage of the past. The transforma-
ton of parties must come-slower, per-
haps, than some, but much quicker than
others anticipated. If you and werc
10 put forth our utmost efforts to pre-
vent it, we couldn't, and it would still
come. The popular instinct feels. ind
the old accustomed party whip will rule
no longer. You tell me you deplore the
dissensions among the Republican party.
rs do and as all of us do, for it is OF
pleasant to differ with old friends. But
how were these dissensions developed? :?
Let me tell you, honest Republicans
that feel with Us, you bear large, if not
the largest, share of the responsibility
II you, honest Republicans. not only
fought as we did, but if you had boldly
and openly spoken out as we did, here
and there and everywhere, tho Admins
tration aud the party might have been
diverted from the downward course
when it was still time, but you did not.
Good thoughts without words, good in
tentions without action, avail little III
this practical world of ours. BY your
considerate silence, you nursed into con-
trolling power the evil influences which
AOW I'D u pbltJ Wlil IulS you, uulGSS you
break loose from them, and you rendered
necessary revolution for what would be
accomplished by timely assertion of
convictions. Now. if by your pleading
for pnrty integrity yon could succeed in
stopping this movement which we are
leading. and conld you scduce us back
to the party stable like flock of sheep,
and secure new lease of power to the
influences which rule you, what would
be the consequence? An instruction at
q future time, and then-who knows
much more uncomfortable for good than
now; for the creator and more provok.
ing the evils to be remedied, the more
reckless will be the means for their cor
rcction. But, let mo tell you, you can
not stop the movement in which we are
now engaged. Tho men who have under
taken it have risen above party tickets,
and have censcd to measure their convic.
| tions Of duty by the rules laid down in
party cnucuses. Those WHO are row in
good earnest working for constitutional
government and reform will not be led
by tho nose This movement will 20 on.
Republican friends, by your joining it,
you can make it greater and more bone
fetal in it's Influences. by your opposi
ton, you can no longer arrest it-you
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