The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-11-20
COLUMBIA.
Wednesday Morning, Nov. 90. 1867.
Business Enterprise va. Politics.

Business Enterprise va. Politics,
All the evils and drawbacks which
have befallen the country's prosperity
have been the work OF politicians;
oil the benefits derived and all the
progress she has made, have been the
result of the efforts of her enterpris-
ing business men. This is so potent
to any observing man, that it needs
but little Illustration to prove it;
nevertheless, we find that the politi-
clans have been almost invariably the
recipients of the benefits and honors
within the gift of the people to con-
fer. ea,
This is Q strange anomaly, but
may, in part, be accounted for by the
democratic nature of our institutions
and the popular form of go ernment
established after the revolt from that
Of Great Britain. These reflections
are induced by an article in the
National Lnteuigencer, which says that
"the magic power that in day con-
verts an inferior, unknown man to be
an object Of distinction and of
honors, is q curious commentary on
the habits Off thought INDUCED in by
our people. If we survey the ground
minutely and trace out the real merits
of our politicians, we shall be as
founded at the results of the inquiry,
and all the more SO, if we institute
comparison between them and our
great men of business.
But it is in a comparison between
the results of the labor and efforts of
the two classes named, chat we will
find the proof OF the allegation which
we make, in the opening sentence of
this article. What the politicians
have done. is too sadly apparent,
especially to us in the excluded
States, to need any enlarged COM
ment. They have divided people,
whose greatness and prosperity, whose
progress in attaining the rank and
position of the greatest nation on the
earth, depend mainly on union, har-
mony and internal peace. They
brought on civil strife among peo-
pie of the same kindred and race,
and have bequeathed IN immense
national debt to the present and sue
ceeding generations. The payment
of the interest on this debt, and the
gradual redemption of the principal,
of course, involve burden of taxa.
ton, which must cripple, to some
extent, the means and energies of the
people. This has been the work of
the politicians of both sections.
Now, what has the industry, ener-
gy and perseverance of the enterpris-
ing business men of the country &C
complished? In less than CEN
tury-not day in the history of the
nation-these men were silently OF
work, to expand and enlarge every
source of production, give impetus
to every branch Of industry, and by
oil the agencies of labor, while the
ambitions politicians and office-seek-
ers were promoting discord and strife,
to bind the people together in unity
of interest and sympathy. While
the politicians were at their work of
disruption, they were linking every
section of the country together with
iron bands, and with lines of steam
ers. A complete net work of railways
covers the whole country, from its
Eastern to its Western boundary,
while the vessels necessary to carry
on our foreign and domestic trade
and commerce, cover the great high
ways of nations. and every navigable
river and stream in the country.
BY such magnificent enterprises,
thus promoting identity of interest
among the people of all sections,
they have doubtless thwarted, to q
great extent, the natural results OF
the Vaccinations of the ambitious