The Daily Phoenix

About four years were expended in the effort to compel the people of the South, by force of arms, to remain in the Union. At the end of that period, exhausted, ruined and beaten, the Confederates laid down their arms, and accepted the terms of their conquerors.

Since that time, nearly two years and a half have elapsed, and from present appearances, those States are no nearer the Union than on the day when the last gun was fired. The party in power have not had the will or the wisdom to form a practicable plan by which the original design of the war--which was the restoration of the Union--could be brought about. They have tinkered and trifled with the subject until they have given serious cause for the belief that they are better satisfied that the South should be out of the Union than in it, at least until after the next Presidential election, in which they hope and expect to obtain another four years' lease of power. Certainly, the process of reconstruction could have been carried to a successful result in much less time than has already been consumed, and at a fraction of the expense that has been incurred. There was no occasion and no reasonable pretext for delay. Every necessary or unnecessary condition which the victors thought proper to impose, might have been applied, and the States returned to their places within six months of the termination of hostilities. There was nothing to prevent it, and it was a result universally desired. But the subject was too great for the shallow demagogues into whose hands the reins of power had unfortunately fallen, and the consequence is that in the third year of peace we find the country dissevered, the future full of doubt and uncertainty, the prosperity of every section of the country checked, a financial crisis looming up, and innumerable evils threatened. And all this that a corrupt party, controlled by men still more unworthy and corrupt, may administer our national affairs.

Is it possible that the great mass of the American people ever reflect upon this state of things, and that they are satisfied with them? It would seem incredible. We incline to the opinion that in the North passion has obscured the judgments of the people, and that they believe that all the evils which afflict them--the high price of living and the crushing weight of taxation--are the legitimate consequences of the war, when, if they would cast their prejudices aside, they would see that much of what they attribute to this cause might have been avoided by a judicious administration of the Government since the close of the war.

If the Union had been promptly restored, as every one believed it would be, and as every one knew that it ought to be, confidence would have been inspired. Trade would have resumed its wonted courses. Industry would have been stimulated, capital which has lain dormant would have been invested, and the general prosperity of the nation would have received a tremendous impulse, which would have placed us beyond the reach of the contingencies and dangers which now impend. The capital and labor which the South has so much needed would have poured in upon her and repaired the wastes and devastations of the war; her products would have been multiplied, her wealth increased, her ability to pay her proportionate share of taxation extended, and the ratio of taxation upon both sections would have been reduced.

We cannot believe that the people will much longer tolerate this inexcusable trifling and stupidity. Reaction must come, and, we think, cannot long be deferred. The popular voice will soon be raised, and will be given forth in such terms as will not fail to make themselves understood.—Louisville Courier.