The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-01-28
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Sunday Morning. January 2s, 1879.
Voices from the Capital.

Voices from the Capital.
We have read with much qualification
the Congressional debates published in
the Globe. upon q resolution providing
Tor an inquiry and investigation into the
recent disorder and outrages occurring
In the city of New Orleans, and caused
by the conflict Of contending factions in
the Radical Legislature of Louisiana.
It seems that United States officials were
active participants and abettors in Che
turbulent and lawless proceedings, and,
partly upon this ground. Congress has
determined to send on an Investigating
oommittee-leaving the question of the
right of the National Government to in
terfcre in such matters for future con.
slderation, when the committee shall
have made nm authenticated report of
the causes that brought about the terri
bla state Of affairs, and the course of
conduct pursued by the officers Of tho
United States Government in the pre-
misses. Many of the rabid Republican
members opposed the Investigation
manifestly from well-grounded appre-
hension that thorough sitting of this
Louisiana muddle would have d ditas-
erous effect upon the interests of the Re-
publican party. and seriously damage
their prospects Of success in the ap-
proaching Presidential campaign. But
the earnest EaRi Of Beck aud tile thrill
ing eloquence Of Voorhees,, who is the
most finished orator in Congress, with
the support of Dawes, of Massachusetts,
Sypher, and other prominent but patri-
otto Republicans, defeated their opposi.
ton. We are not of those who assume
that all the honesty and integrity Of the
nation must be looked for within the
ranks OF the Democratic party, or that
all within our ranks are free from the
faint OF corruption. While We hold that
in the South the greater part of the vir-
tue. intelligence and honest industry of
the section will be found linked with the
Democratic party. and that Republican
ism here, as general thing, may be
said to be composed of nearly equal
parts of venality, ignorance and dema.
goguism-in the North, in many locali-
ties, almost the reverse is true. We
cling. with the tenacity of earnest and
early imbedded convictions. to those
fundamental and distinguishing princi-
pies OF Democracy. free trade, the re-
served rights of the States, and strict
enforcement of the constitutional limi-
tations upon the power of Congress.
But were we citizens of New York, for
instance, we are inclined to feel that in
State and local elections, at least, the
Republican candidates, in many in
stances, would command our support.
There is great reason for hopo, we
take it. from the tenor of the debates in
Congress, and the manifest change OF
opinion that has been worked in the
minds of large number of the most
able and influential representatives of
the Republican party North, of better
and brighter days for our down -trodden
land. And we further do not believe
that the Inauguration of those moro
prosperous times is solely dependent
upon the accession of the Democratic
party to power in the National Legisla-
ture. The utter failure of the past Con.
gressional mode of reconetructing the
Southern States, to secure peace and
order and prosperity to our distracted
land. is being appreciated and acknow-
ledged by even our political opponents.
1t is left only for us-the white people
Of the South-to cherish and exhibit n
manly, humane. conciliatory and pru-
IDENTIFY indulgent spirit towards the short
comings OF ignorant, but, in tho main,
well-meaning colored citizons; and doing
nanght in malice. but all in al honest
purpose to redeem our State, discreeLlv.
but boldly aud earnestly to expose tile
frauds and ineficiency of our Radical
State Governments. In tho debate re-.
ferred to, Mr.. Sypher. Republican, OF
Louisiana, speaks as follows:
II am not q partisan of either fac.