The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1881-01-26
HN.iT SUItLL BE DOME.


UH-iT SUIfLL BE DONE?
some ThouKhta on the Political Situation
lts difficulties and Dangers Rights Of
Mine Sfies--A Triple Presidency.
Aofess's. Editors: Political parties are
unavoidableincidents to constitutional
governments. Founded on honest, ra-
tlonai differences Of opinion concern
ing enduring principles, they are salu-
tary agents III tho conservation of O
Just equilibrium of government; but
when divided by geographical lines,
and cmbittercd by sectional anilnosi-
ties and pride, they arc culamitous to
! The peace and progress Of the people
oppressed by their presence. The
mcnacing attitude Of Ireland, shrink
ing with utter mistrust from British
ADVANCES and promises, the pcrturbcd
political condition Of The United States,
present rcady-made examples perfect
~ illustrating the unhappy results of
ScctiOnulism.
Were tho Federal Constitution har-
mohlously construed and uniformly
obcyed, the possible development, in
the early future, of the resources of
tho country, could not, perhaps, bc
correctly estimated by deductions from
those of the past. They are wonder
ful, but the multiform, maturcd agcn-
cles now ut work throughout it's broad
area, stimulated by tho necessities,
emulation and ambition Of individuals,
and multiplied by almost daily invcn-
tons OF others, some Of which, cen
tury back, would have been classcd
among the miraculous, promise re-
suits That may astuunh even those not
unused TO- strange. things. These,
, whatever they may be, will exert an
amcliornting Influence over the whole
country, through the facilities of inter-
by steam and by the telegraph, the
cnlightcncrs and cqualizcrs of the
world. There can be no rctcctnr
citizen but must contemplate with
! proud pleasure the prospcctiveiv grand
future of this Union, and dcyolltiy de-
sire the propilious conditions that will
fpromote it. Every section of the
country is deeply interested in the
pcrpctuation Of the Union. a harmoni-
Gus Interpretation of the constitution,
and in allaying party passions, cspc-
ciallv Of parties us now divided, for il
scarcely need be asserted that Il dis
ruption nf.thc Union would forever
lnar the prospects; or.that the present
want Of harmony, intense ant!.gonism
OF political parties, sadly rctards it.
But the South is more neatly conccr,i-
eel than other sections. From sparse
ness OF population and lack OF capital,
not to mention the disastrous results
OF the late war, she fingers far in the
rear in the general forward movc,. al
though her natural advantages are not
insignificant when compared with
! those OF other portions Of the country.
Harmony aud the kindly regard of
those other portions are prerequisites
TO her prosperity. She therefore ur-
gently needs thr wiScst cuunscls Other
ablcst sons to Indicate The 1.oiicv best
calculated to calln political agitation.
There are some manifest troubles.
however, That arrest the attention OF
the least 0bScrvant, and hints as to
those, from an humble source, may be
| admissible. They arc such as miiulv
result from divergent views o. the
question of"Stalc Rights" and from
the practical operations, in the South,
OF the "Fiftccnth Amendment"
The agitation Of State rights bv
Southern politicians appears to be ILL
tlmcd> because, right or wrong, their
views Of it, carried to Il Legitimate con
| cluslon, not long since, justified secos-
sion, anu it is not surprising that their
advocacy now tends to prompt ihc citi-
ZcnS in other sections to rcSiIe from its
consideration, and refuse to make
even their form c. concessions BE
sides, thc south can safely permit this
question to lie in abeyunrc. IL is SO
clearly aud firmly imbc,ldcd in the
constitution. and SO necessary in the
economy ofihc general and State GOV
crhmcnls, HAT 1t may cuEiidcntly be
asserted that the great States of the
North cannot, with Il due regard To
their own welfare, suffer the prevail
ing mode OF Interpretation to drift
much further III the present course.
The fifteenth amendment, although,
styled one Of the legitimate results Of
the last war, should more correctly be
placed among the re ricfiS dcnounc-
Ell upon the South, not precisely by
the victors, but 10y that portion OF
them known as the Republican party.
This party, while pretending TO be
nc%l'ophliistS, well knew from race in.
Silhct that 10 measure could be
adopted that would so cllrctuallv hll
initiate the Southern whites as this
1t was therefore enacted and set &c
work. The South became apathetic
from hop2lcssness and stood as a para.
Lied Witness. unable to intcrpnse q
single impeachment to its. fell opera,
lions. II has, therefore, lad tail
trial and has failed, breaking down OF
lis own weight everywhere; the Rcpub
ilcams themselves cooperating in tho
wholesale disi'runchiscmcnt in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. Nevertheless, tho
result OF the late Presidential election
declares, as one Of its meanings, tn,
dissatisfaction of the major part Of the
Northern people with its practica
operations, of late, in the South.
What is she to do? In u genera
way, il may be answered, that AS bar
nony is Of The last importance, it is ,
duty she owes to herself to sustain thu
FcdcraA administration and. also tt
place herself in accord with the pre-
vailing sentiments of the country a.
far as is consistent with sclf-prescrvn
tion. But, on the one hand, it il
ruin to remit these States to the vi
clouS miSrulo Of 1868 1876: and, on tht