The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-12
The Leaders OF the People.

The Leaders OF the People.
When the blind leadeth the blind they
will both tumble into the ditch; and such is
likely to be the fate Of the new State OF
South Carolina, under it's present political
leaders. Who are they? ScoTr, CHAM
sEaLA1N, CoRB1N, WH1TTEMoRE, Cain, Eli
OFT, Whipper, DeLarge, These are the men
Of influence in Columbia. True, there are
other men there in high places. There are
BooSER, MOSES, Jr., NEAalE and Card0zs.
But the, frs, has been aptly called the
"great nonentity," the second has lost his
Influence, the third is scorned BY the vilest
chicken thief in. the party, and. the last.is
great only in his own conceit. The first
eight mentioned really hold the control ofthe
new, State government, Now, is any one Of
them gifted with qualities to entitle him to
the position Of p leader Of the people?
Certainly NOT. Let US examine their char
acteersi.. Scorr, with all his admitted dis
position toiact fairly, is poisoned with pre-
judioe against the white people of this
State, which, in apite ofshimself prevents
his seeing things in their true light. His
published messages and letters afford abupr
dant proof IF this. The same may be said
| Of GoRB1s and caAMBERLAIs.,: There is,
however, this difference between2these two
and the Governor-ScoTr, would probably
be satisfied with the honor Of being
the first Governor: Of. the new, State,
and willingly retire to private life in
| money making business, provided. the gov
ern:nent which he established was allowed
| to stand, No, matter whether under control
Of The Democraticp or Republican party.
CoaB1N and CHAMBERLA1s,. on the other
hand, would regard Democratic admins
traiion Of the State government as equiya-
lent to its overthrow. In WHITrBMoRE, we
hsvea different style of man altogsther-a
violent, bitser partisan. Without conscience
land without scrqples.. he would ruthlessly
destroy, either cottage or church that might.
l,obatruct his path to power and wealth. A
ingdemsgosue, devoid of deOsncy and
set; respect, :, be has ingratiatsd. himself
with the negroes by social intercourse, by.
buster, By falaehoods and Establishments,
end cen control more negro votes than any
other white nan in The; State. -. - ~.
I.o -Soulnoh for ths whites; now let us look
st ths coiorsd leaders, Cain is o Northern
negro preacher, with some oratorioal pow
ers,; tolsrable education, and, on most
topics good common sense il He believes,
however, that the negro can, as race, be
sducated to an equslity With the white man,
and in. this proposition he has the faith OF
o fanatic. Elliott, a real: black, kiipnkey-. ink
headed negro from Massachusetts, is good
Espeaker and has more personal Influence
| with the members than any other man in the
! Houre. He has . violent temper which he
does not hesitate to display, and always
handles his, opponents without gloves. He,
| too, is entirely ,unprinoipled, and makes
more cut Of his legislative position than the
per diem and mileage. Whipper isias much
q negro, as Elliott, as far ss blood is con-
cerned, but he has much more decenoy.
Although, considering his opportunities, he
shows unusual ability, yet for the position
which be, occupies, as chairman Of the Ju-
dietary Committee of the House, he is
grossly ignorant. BE, like Elliott, regards
legislation as monsy.making profession.
DeLarge, Charleston mulatto tailor, COM.
pletss the liat. oH deserves credit for hsv-
ing opposed some Of the most scandalous
measures with all his powers; yet he is SO
illiterats and ignorant that his chairman
ship of the Ways and Means Committee is
one Of the greatest farces enacted on the
stage Of reconstruction.
No scheme can be carried through in the
Columbia Legislature without the support
Of .one OF more of the. men we have de-
scribed. As natural consequence of their
ignorance, partisanship and want of prin-
ciple, there is nota single act which they
have passed, which, however plausible it
may appear to q casual observer, has not
some inherent defect, considered in regard
to it's applicability as a law to the people Of
this State, under present circumstances.
Their shameless corruption is. conspicu-
cusly displayed in the State Bank bill and
other equally reckless measures, and if any
thing is wanted to prove that the success
Of the Democratic party is absolutely peces-
ssry to aaye our people from collective and
individual ruin, it will be supplied by the
forthcoming Tax bill.
Commerce and the Telegraph.
The rapid extension of the telegraph sys-
| af {ba o;v;I;oad r,o,ld