The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-07-23

ulatlon; and they naturally desired q
strong central government. We can we'll
understand how the resultant of these
opposing tendencies might have been a
happy equilibrium along line of pro-
gress between the two extremes.
gradually following the example of time,
(which indeed innovateth greatly but
slowly" and we would thus have secured
q national government which, recopniz-
ing fully the local rights of the States
and the freedom of the individual, would
at the same time have been sufficiently
strong to protect the varied commercial
and other interests of rapidly increas-
ing population. In the absence, how
ever, for ten years of the restraining in
huence of the South, it is not surprising.
under the circumstances, that the equi-
Ibrium was temporarily destroyed. But
the dangers were at last appreciated BY
the North, and the reaction of public
opinion became 80 great as, even in Mas
sachusetts, TO hurl the Republican party
from power. Ghe South is now again on
a footing of equality, and in any future
struggles against abuse of power, or
against tendency to imperialism,
her conservative influence will be
available and may be relied on.
What the whole country now needs,
80 far as her material prosperity
is concerned, is, that the South, on the
one hand, should acquire some of the
characteristic thrift and business energy
OF the North; should build up her cities
by manufactures and commerce.; should
populate, improve and cultivate her
waste districts; should open and operate
her mines, and should, in short, deyelop
as rapidly as possible all her material re-
sources; while the Northern people, re-
collecting that "eternnl vigilance ia the
price Of liberty" should, on their part,
check any further tendency to central
lzation, whether in the executive, legis-
lative or judicinl department. While we
should study more the science and art of
wealth, they should study more the
science and art of government.
Corrupt administrations in some of the
Southern States, and the demoralizino
influence of adventurers and Office.
seekers over colored laborers, NAV con-
unue to depress business and enterprise,
but there is now reason for believing
that these blghting influences will be
only temporary. The future of the negro
in the South, as q citizen and voter. Ia
an interesting subject of vital impor-
tance. but it involves a problem which
time alone can solve. We can, however.
see the beginning Of the end, for already
''the gray-eyed moon smiles on the
frowning night" Wherever the whites
have the majority in the South, the ne
gro, no longer the active politician. has
proved himself quiet, peaceable and
weli-disposed citizen. AS a laborer, we
need him, and in this capacity he will
be invaluable. Nor need he be, because
OF an inferior race, nm incubus upon the
South, as some would have us believe.
II the Southern people were left to them
selves, without further interference in
this matter by Federal legislation or
otherwise, there would be no trouble be-
tween the races; and the colored man. no
longer Influenced md deluded by ad-
venturers, would become a contented
and fnithful laborer. In the meantime.
the whites should appreciate the posi-
tion of the misguided race, and be scru-
pulously just and kind to it.
Upon the whole, then, ns for MS oppor
tunity and circumstances are concerned.
the South is in position to reap her
full share Of the prosperity and progress
OF the country in the future. Our peo-
pie, however, must fully realize their
condition as we'll as their opportunities.
They must cultivate habits of steady
industry, and they must rnis their chill
dren to work.
The influence and ability of Southern
statesmen before the war are matters of
history. They controlled the country
until 1860. The South has still the same
talents, the same culture and the same
genius for statesmanship, and although
it may be true, that individuals cannot
in the future WELD the direct influence
they hnve exerted in the past, yet genius
Will still be potent in shaping that Dublic
opinion of the masses, which is now the
power in politics" The first talent of
the South, before the war, naturally
sought public life as the field for dis
tinction. and the genius of the South
was thus concentrated almost exclusively
in her statesmanship, (the demand in
the irrepressible conflict for what she
deemed self-preservation creating the
supply? She exceiled in craftsmanship,
and if the same talent and genius be de-
voted now to other occupations, she will
also excel in literature. science and the
arts Of life. It is vitality important, in
this connection, that our people be edu-