The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-04-01
S. G.
"Wednesday Morning. April l, 1874.
'nA soysreign stnte.''

e. =
the impediments in the way Of the Pre-.
sident's proAering to the people of
South Carolina any direct assistance in
securing them relief from the intolera.
BILE evils of which they complain. Gen.
Grant has never given any deep study
to the great questions which have arisen
in American political history between
the States and the General Government.
When at last they came into hostile col
lision, the contest was transferred from
the Cabinet to ths field, and was settled
by the sword. As q soldier who took
an important part in the events by
which they we're determined, it is natu-
&C! &c. hin tc reat nontentadly in the
results OF the war. His political con-
victions are warped by the bias left on
them by his peculiar and special expe.
rience. We expected, therefore. to hear
him say. as he practically did, to the
( Tax Payers Committee, that no change
is practicable in the fundamental law,
and that no relief may be looked for in
that quarter. We might have urged.
indeed, that as We owe the condition We
are in to the power OF the Government,
which so changed the relations and
status OF population here as to make
this oppression follow as the inevitable
/ consequence, 40 we have right to look
i to that power for extrication from it.
But there were 'esrong political reasons
for enacting regulations which virtually
placed US under barbarous rule, and re-
dnced the State to ruin. under the lead
OF adventnrers. Those political reasons
still exist in great force. They pre-
clude any idea OF deliverance as likely
to result from changes in the Constitu-
tion. Some day, the amendments may
be revised and modified, but the time is
not yet. The central government.
ahoze policy has blotted South Carolina
from tho map of freemnd happy States.
has, owing to the continued prevalence
of reasons OF State and political consi-
derations, no power to resture hrr to
her proper place.
Taking the view, then. that he is con-
trolled in certain matters by political
necessities. and supposing, notwith-
standing we know the so-called sove-
reignty of the State, as now exercised,
is turned against its dearest interests, its
most sacred rights and its old-time
honor, that he means no mockery in re-
.manding us to the powers and remedies
of complete sovereign existence, we
are prepared to invoke them in good
earnest. and to extract from them what
ever efficacy they may yet contain. AS
we are sovereign, even if on q lower
basis, let US claim the rights Of sove-
reignty. But preliminary to this, we
Smnst ask the President and Congress to
withhold the power of the Government
from interference in our affairs. It is
not consistent with the position OF
independent State, to have
troops qnartered in it's midst-a rebeke
to its claim OF the right and power of
and standing menace
Ito its people. We proclaim to the world
that we are capable of good order, and
THAT We wish the classes Of our people
ito be- subjected to no unnatural press
(nre, bnt to be left free to arrange their
affairs with each other as they may sse
|fit. We believe that the maintenance of
military force works in the direction of
lprejudice and to the disturbance OF
kindly relations between those whose
highest interests would be subseryed by
33closer and more friendly ties. The
president says. that as we make our own
laws, if we suffer from them, it is our
own affair. But those laws are not
ENACTED by the free, untrammeled voice
1Df the people. An influence is kept up
hero which stiles that voice, and which
Breeds distrust where there should be
ponf ience. The practical effect is to
place bad, worthless aud corrupt men in
Hhe places Of power. and to keep them
&here. As God is our Judge, this is the
Solemn truth. Such things are incon:
with and utolof;yn of' tba ~;