The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-18
GOAUiIMBIA,IfS.rC 9 q i / !! ] 20.
Thursday Morning. April 10, 1872.
Tho Liberal Republican Meeting In
New York,


now Trumbull and Scharz, at Cooper
Institute. have been heard. These three
may fairly be considered as the spokes-
men OF the liberal Republican reform
movement. They were the originators
OF it, and are now among its ablest and
most earnest supporters. The senti-
ments they have expressed and the po-
licy they have foreshadowed may safely
be regarded as q trustworthy index to
the spirit and political characteristics of
the Cincinnati Convention; and if we
can endorse the one, we may reasonably
hope not TO be disappointed ii the other.
The uttsrances of these eminent Repub-
licans establishes, beyond all question,
the fact there is not to-day single ma
serial and distinctive point of division
between true Republicanism and genu-
inc Democracy. Upon the questions of
the rights of the States, the constitu-
tional limitations upon the powers of
the General Government, and the indo-
pendence of the coordinate departments
OF the Government-the judiciary, the
legislative, and the executive-Messrs.
Brown. Trumbull and Sohurz express
themselves as emphatically, us unequi-
vooally. and with all the earncstness and
apparent sincerity that could be ex-
pected of the staunchest Democrats in
the land. 1t is significant in this con-
nection to note the declaration of Fred.
Douglass, the leading negro in the
United States,, who boldly asserts that
he opposes the movement headed by
Sohurz and Trumbul!, because it fauors
States rights.
The tendency OF the GRANTEES to cen
tralization and the utter subversion of
the right of local self-government which
has been charged against them, is thus
made manifest. Fred. Douglass only
honestly avows those opinions which he
has gathered from his association with
the adherents of Grant, and which the
majority Of thom-the leaders, at least
entertain as warmly as does Fred. Dou-
glass, but are afraid to announce it yet
The sovereignty of the States in matters
OF local self-government, which is the
very cornerstone of the Constitution
and the strongest defence of republican
liberty, is still acknowledged and ad-
hered to by vast majority Of the patri-
otto and intelligent people of the coun-
try. They only desire to ignore it who,
like Fred. Douglass, have received their
political caste from the high handed,
extraordinary and unconstitutional me-
thods of conducting the Government,
excusable only. if even then, by the exi-
genoies Of q gigantic civil wor; or like
Grant. are aiming at despotic power; or
like his 10000 Office holders, are hankcr-
ing for life interest in fat places, or in
opportunities to live luxuriously at the
public expense. Against Capitalization
against corruption-against hatred of
the South-against military enoroach-
ment-against lavish expenditures and
an unequal and burdensome taxation
Schurz, Trumbull, Brown and the host
Of Republican patriots in sympathy with
them have raised the banner of reform
and Of reconciliation. and are striking
for a return to constitutional forms of
government which the war has deranged.
In this return, all good men, whatever
their past politics, can consistently unite.
The pervading spirit that character
ICES the speeches of oil these distin-
guished men is that of cancellation aud
friendship to the South, and an appre-
citation of and sympathy with our pre-
sent sad and almost desperate condition.
1t is. indeed, gratifying to hear such
noble, patriotic and fraternal express
sions. It makes rs to feel that We have
yet some acknowledged title to part
and parcel in our common country, and
that we are not considered as foes and
aliens, fit only to be the prey of such
unscrupulous adventurers from every
quarter Of the globe as may see proper
to swarm upon us and pick the little
bones Of property that the war has left.