The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-04-01
AFFAIRS IN THE INTERIOR.
[FaoM oUa OWN CORRESPONDENT

TIE DEMOCRACY AT woRK-CANDIDATEs NoGI-
NATEp-coTToN PRosPEcTs-THE COLUMBIA
AND AUGUSTA RAILRoAD-THE COURT OF IN
oURY IN MAJOR T. B. LEES CAsE-NEw MA
SONIC HALL IN coLUMBA-NATIoNAL BANK
MANUFACTURES, &C.
COLUMBIA, March 20, 1S6S.--The political at
fairs of the State are like cotton-someWhat
excited. At the eleventh hour, while the most
important changes in the State are about to be
made, the sentinels on the watch-towers are
beginning to discover that something ought to
be done to save the people from the conse-
ouences Of negro domination. Those who
counselled apathy, now loudly cry out, work
work work! Those who predicted failure OF
the Radical party in the State, now recognize
in it an antagonist that calls for the exercise OF
every muscle. And 80, as if animated by one
mighty spasm, Democracy has become sud-
denly rampant, clubs have sprung into life In
eyery portion of the State, the people are Or
canizing, nom nations have been made, and,
although the time is short, it is evident that
persistent effort will be made to secure tho
election of Carolinians and white men 70 I'LL
the Legislative, Congressional and executive Of
fees.
Unfortunately for the success of the move
ment, there is thus far no evidence OF
concerted action, and the tendency of things
done has been to draw boundary lines
30 broad and distinct as to forbid even the
possibility of success, that is, if as we must
all believe success depends upon substract-
ing any considerable number from the black
majority of $4,000 votes. There are thou
sands upon thousands Of the people, Intelligent
and alive to the best interests Of the State,
who. while as true to the South as steel is to
the magnet, nevertheless believe that personal
preiudice must for the moment yield to policy,
and that to ensure strength il the legislature,
strength in Congress, and consolidation OF the
masses, moderate and conservative men must
be nominated for office. The reverse, however,
appears to be the policy Of Ex-Gov. Perry and
ell of his followers. For instance he has pub
licly nominated for Governor, Gen. Wade
Hampton; for Lieut.. Governor, Gen. James
Connor for Secretary Of State, Gen. Ellison
Capers for Adjutant and Inspector General,
General NJ. C. Butler, for Comptroller General,
Capt. J. L. Leapheart, and for Treasurer, Major
". Hood. There have also been nominated by
the same party for United States Senators, Gen.
James B. Kershaw, OF Kershaw, and General
Samuel MCGOWAN, of AbbeviIle. For "war
times" this array of military gentlemen would
have been most pertinent. Even now the
heart Of every true Southern man leaps at the
thought that he may one day be able TO re-
ward the men who bore the battle-fag Of the
Confederacy through the brunt of the late
contest: but what sane, sensible person be-
lieves il possible to elect either of these dis
tineuished chieftains TO the Office named !!
What use would there be in going to the polls,
in troubIous times like these, to deposit
merely complimentary vote, when the choice
Of less Objectionable candidates unknown to
fame would divide the colored vote and secure
the presence Of an element in the Legislature
which would protect the interests of the State,
and prevent the anarchical tendencies of pure
negro legislation.
u Experiments seem to demonstrate that the
old political leaders have lost the confidence OF
the masses who used to follow their nod and
beck. Younger men have come upon the stage.
The mercantile community, the working classes
and the farmers are claiming the right to
think and act for themselves, and while yield
ing not one jot or title of principle, refuse to
Nsacrifice their personal interests and political
existence by planting themselves in direct an-
\agonism to the coloredra and ignoring their
existence.
To illustrates: q meeting was held here on
Wednesday last, purporting to be for the pur-
pose of organizing Democratic club. 1t was
called chiefly by the working men, and was
intended to be conservative in sentiment and
and action. The lawyers had concocted
preamble and resolutions, which we're read and
almost unanimously adopted. A few thought
full men like Col. J. P. Thomas, however, saw
mischief in the enthusiastic action Of the meet
ing. and after ''sober, second thought"
committee called upon the editor OF the Phoenix
and requested that the preamble and resolu-
tions should be suppressed, lest their excessive
utterances as to the duties of the hour should
result in harm. The talk now is as to the pro-
prlety of calling another meeting, in which not
the opinions OF individuals, but tho policy Of
the community shall be promulgated.
The convention called for the I'd of April,
promises to be success. The railroads have
agreed to receive half fare.
Speaking of railroads, President Hammett,
of the Greenville Railroad informs me that tho
excitement in the up country with reference to
cotton is equal to that in Charleston. One man
was brought to the Lunatic Asylum on Friday
last, who has gone "clean daft over his recent
speculations He had made forty thousand
dollars by the rise, and his sudden good for
tune turned the poor fellows brain. Twenty
thousand bales were brought down the road
during the month Of February, and there are
probably from five to ten thousand bales yet
remaining Large shipments of manufactured
goods are also coming down every week. The
mills are in prosperous condition, and money
in the upper districts circ:lates freely. Two
years more of sucl crops and such prosperity
will make the up country districts the richest
in the State The planters are actively pre-
pairing for the next crop, and cotton will be
planted freely. Large quantities Of guano are
going into the interior. The negroes have
generally contracted and are working we'll
Nobody csks for advances in Anderson, Able