The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-09

GEN. BANKS LErrEn.-The letter of
Con. Banks rings like ri1e.shot. It
has sont u shiver through the whole
frame OF the party in tho State and
Union. Tho excitement in his district
aud the city on its reception was unpa-
ralleled among purely political occur
renccs, showing in what respect his
judgment as public man is held by his
fellow-citizens. Few men enjoy u higher
reputation for political sagacity. and for
this reason, too, his decision between
Grant aud Greeley was awaited with the
profounder interest. What he says,
therefore, carries great weight with the
members OF his party. He has i'll the
present instance not only given his
Judgment frankly upon the tendencies of
this evil Administration, but he has like
wise pointed in tue direction in which
tho great popular current is moving.
Mono SEQ it more clearly than he, whose
long contact with men and familiarity
with tho currents of popular opinion
give him peculiar qualifications for re-
porting Alright on great public move
ments at their inception. This an.
nouncement by 80 justly prominent u
member Of the Republican party comes
like an earthquake shock to those who
were satisfied to follow blindly after the
Grant Administration. Taken with Se-
nator Summers letter, it can hardly full
to be decisive Of the fortunes of the
Grnut pnrty in Massachusetts.
Let us publicly rejoice that there is
another man OF true Independence and
courage, who is not afraid OF being
called traitor to Grant. Let us be
grateful that there is one more who,
when warned not to waver in support Of
personal dynasty like thnt at Washing
ton, was bravo enough Mt once to speak
out concerning it as it deserves. Unless
honest and direct words, clothed in clear
and decided opinions, have entirely lost
their force, the letter of General Ennks
will not bo long in showing the effect it
has produced on the party. When such
n man declares in all deliberateness that
'the perpetuation OF the present policy
of the Government is not for the advan-
tage of tue country" his party may we'll
pause aud consider the extent and depth
Of his meaning. When he says further
that it is only by "the uniting of the
masses Of the people of oil parties, sec
tions and races. >" il it possible to secure
the establish ment of the recognized re-
suits of the war, they may conclude that
to follow this Administration any farther
is to throw away tue lives and treasure
for which the conflict was waged, and
divert the noblest exertions of unseltish
patriotism into channels conducting only
to selfish ends. Why ought any Repub-
lican to fear the title Of ''traitor" for
judging snch an Administration on its
deserts? Why should he not first of all
refuse to be driven into silent submis-
sion by the application of party terror
ism2 The example of Gen. Banks will
inevitably be followed by thousands
more of the Republican party, who re-
quire but to see the real tendency OF the
Grant rule to repudiate it with equal
manliness and patriotism. They cannot
| reject, any more than he, the union prof
fered i'll good faith on the basis OF the
results of the war, and accompanied with
fervent hopes of permanent peace und
reconciliation.- boston Post.