The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-02-13

Ipo meSss8e OF Preeid.:ne Grant to
the Senate in relation to Arkansas af.
fairs 10 having the effsct Of opening
tho eyes OF the people Of the North,
and has already. it IS said. caused q
split among the Republicans of the
House Of Representatives. The Senate
is his stronghold. and will be the last
place where any change will be mani
fested. The fret feeling every where
upon reading this message was sur
prise and alarm. Only last spring the
President refused to recognize Brooks
ss Governor OF Arkansas. Less than
four montbs ago he declined to inter-
fere with the Garland Government in
that State. The wonder is, what has
produced so complete change in his
views and policy? he not only says.
now, that Brooks was elected in 1879.
but intimates pretty plainly that he
conceives it to be his duty to take
the requisite Fteps to reinstate
him. He complains also of tue change
in the Constitution, seeming to deny
the people the right to make it. This
he does just as a respectable commit
tee OF Congress has returned FROM the
State. reporting that the new Consti-
ton and the Garland Government are
cordially supported by the people;
that the Constitution is regular in
form and substance, and the State
reasonably quiet and peaceful. 1t ia
noticeable that his language is modelled
upon that OF tho one dissenting mem
ber Of the Congressional Investigating
Committee which represents the rights
OF the minority as overthrown. But
it is notorious that, since the troubles
between Brooks and Baxter we're
quieted. nothing has occnrrsd in the
State Of Arkansas which has called for
Federal interference. As to The Presi-
dents complaint that as this State has
changed its Constitution, others may
do so likewise. and the whole scheme
OF Congressional reconstruction come
TO an, end it shows exactly what mar
row idea he has Of tho rights and
liberties OF peoples and States.
He : is evidently of the opinion
that q these States are still in
the hands Of Congress-. to be
Icuaed down when it pleases. What
|evsf technical irregularities may have
marked. the Constitutional Convention
OF Arkansas, are common 70 1t With
other States which have made changes
in their constitutions
""Not less than twenty six States" ("
says the Baltimore Sun, In discussing
the President's ominous message, "our
own, among the number, have modified
their constitutions without reference
to modes prescribed by previous legis.
Iation, or even existing constitutions.
Varions constitutions OF Maryland. in.
Guiding that formed by the Repnbli
cans In 1864, we're thus created. It il
known. also, that the present Consti.
tuition of New York was framed and
adopted in 1e46 in disregard Of the
provisions Of the Constitution that
preceded it, it being held there, as it
had been held elsewhere. that the per.
mission Of the Legislature and ratifioa-
ton by majority Of the people was a
sufficient warrant. There is Just as
much authority for President Grant 10
send an army into New York, Mary.
land, or any OF the other States which
have formed their Constitutions in
this manner, as there is to subvert by
Federal bsyonets, or by any other
agency-if he 80 contemplatcs-the
existing Constitution of Arkansas. If
there ia an irregularity in the latter
case, it was the same irregularity in
our and all the other States, and in oil
it was the work OF the people. WHO
were once supposed to bs supreme in
this country, especially in making their
fundamental law"
From the Washington correspond
ence Of tho Sun We are gratified to
learn that the majority OF the mem
bers OF the House arc disposed to ad.
bere-to the Poland report. Republi.
cans from both tho West and East
regard the course of the President
with stern disapproval. A lively dis.
oassion Is anticipated among the Re.
publican members exclusively. A