The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-18
HEDAxaERAn1srxo FROM OuR sourH-

THEDAsaER AR1s1so FROM OuR Souri,
ERN Po1IoF.-The troubles in Louisiana,
as we'll as in Alabama, South Carolina,
and other parts of the South, arise pri-
marily from the reconstruction policy Of
Congress, or, more properly speaking,
from the policy Of the dominant radical
Republican party. In disfranchising
the Intelligent and leading men of the
South, and in elevating the whole mass
OF ignorant negroes to political power,
we lind the oause of the present deplora-
bic state of things. The object. as is
we'll known, was to secure the votes Of
the Southern States 30 as to perpetuate
the rule OF the radical Republican party.
This might not be considered altogether
unfair In strictly party or political
eense, and it may be that any other party
would have used the same advantages
for like purpose. Nevertheless, this
feeling has proved disastrous. the
world cannot be governed by ignorance.
The attempt to govern the South through
the mass OF ignorant blacks, who were
just emancipated from slavery, and who
were not at all prepared for civic duties.
has proved q lamentable failure, as every
statesman must have seen it would. But,
to make matters worse, the dominant
party, in carrying out it's policy, flooded
the Southern States with carpet-baggers,
with men of no means or conscience,
and no feeling of abiding interest in that
section Of the country. These unscru-
pulous and needy adventurers were
placed in positions of power and trust,
while those who belonged to and had o
deep interest in the peace and welfare of
the South were ostracised. The "rise-
rable scramble" that President Grant
speaks of for the spoils Of Office is among
these very adventurers. Still tho Fede-
raj government seems to adhere to it's
original policy. notwithstanding the
trightful consequences that have resulted
from it, for we have seen one faction
sustained in Louisiana and another in
Alabama, which are in accord with the
party in power at Washington, regard
less of the will of the people, the right
of local self-goyernment, or the forms of
State law.
Perhaps it is not possible TO undo
much of the evil that has been done, for
rights and privileges that have been con-
ceded cannot we'll be withdrawn, though
they may have proved mischievous.
But Congress and the President can do
great deal in the way of applying a
remedy. The theory of the abstract
right of suffrage, whether adopted from
principle or policy, will have to be
carried out now, however unfit the mass
of negroes in the South may be for the ex-
ercise of that assumed right or privilege.
The evil might be neutralized to some
extent, and, as We hope, to give peace
to the South, if the Federal Govern
ment would let the several States have
absolute control over their own affairs,
and in case of such difficulty as that in
Louisiana. to leave the solution of it to
local laws; if it would concede complete
amnesty, so as to give the most intelli-
gent portion Of the community voice
and influence in public matters; if it
would, IN short, help to restore the
Southerners to Office and frown down
the carpet-baggers and scalawags who
mako all the trouble. Such corruption
and anarchy as exist now in the South
are not only injurious to that section;
not only check its progress and material
interests, and, therefore, prove damaging
to the business interests of the North,
but they nre infectious, and must, in the
end. demorelize the whole republic. It
is, III fact, long step toward centraliza-
tlon, despoLism and military rule. It is
the way in which all nations have
marched the liberties and Institutions of
which have been subverted or oyerturu
ed.-Ne,c York Herald.