The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-08

, We take from the Columbia Phoenix, of yes
terday, letter, IN which it is positively assert
ed that there is no truth in the Radical ru-
mors that attempts are being made in Lexing-
ton to defraud the freedmen. The correspon-
dent says:
TO IHE EDITOR OF THE PHGNN.
In your issue OF the 4th instant appeared
the following from member OF the State con-
stabulary:
81 believe q regular systematic attempt win
be made to defraud the freedmen IN Lexington
this year of their share OF the crops. Many Of
the latter neglected To have written contracts.
and are being driven off the plantations, and
refused any remuneration for their labor"
You ask, "what say our Lexington friends 2"
We pronounce the whole paragraph malicious
" false, and an unpardonably wicked attempt
to sander the good citizeus OF Lexington. The
paragraph in question bears upon its face the
evidence of its writer's being wholly una:-
ouainted with the people whose reputation he
SO uuwarrantably attempts TO defane.
II some freedmen OF this county have no
written contracts, it is because they refused to
be thus bound, and preferred to work without
a contract in writing, so that they could leave
when it might suit their convenience, or when
ever they might become too laEyto work.
The only 'systematlc attempt to defraud"
known to the citizens of this county, is the
present State government, which, not satisfied
with the spoils Of Office, would rob the good
people of the State of their fair fame also.
Tne business firm of R. z. Scott & Co. GER
taiuly displays greater energy than any whole.
sale house in this State. His drummers. the
State constabulary, are sent out 10 every direc;
tion to collect material to be manufactured
into election yarns by Northern printing
presses, or to be used as fuel to Increase the
already too violent feelings entertain. ~ towards
the Southern people. This firm, with it's nume-
rous clerke and drummers, cares nothing for
it's own reputation or that OF the people OF
"our dear State" unless it increases the gene
raj stock OF the company, or aids in keeping
the lucky goose in the clutches OF Northern
carpet-baggers and Southern scalawags. The
citizens Of Lexington are, however, too we'll
known to be injured by the vile shafts Of B. Z.
Scott's chief clerk, Hubbard, or any Of the in
ferior drummers who do his tiddings.
We challenge the "great calumniator" him
self, the State constabulary, or any other set
OF defamers, to establish the charge Of any
sssystematic attempt" on the part OF the good
duty. We know Of a systematic effort to root
out Radicalism and the present rotten State
government: and We honestly believe that the
fact OF Lexngton's being 30 thoroughly Demo-
cratic had not little to do with thus SANDER
GUS statement. Imagine these drumming con-
stables travelling through this county. so
nearly ruined by Sherman, so blessed tD in
having Boozer and Corley, and yet 30 true
to the principles Of Democracy as to have tor
ever removed, at the late election, the loaves
and fishes from the too willing grasp OF hun
cry Radicals. Imagine their spleen as they
medi'atcd on these sad truths-as they thought
of the hundreds Of carcases which the people
of this comfy offered in the good cause during
the last campaign-as they remembered the
Democratic barbecues, picnics, &C., and you
will agree with US that there was need OF an
overflow Of gall, some vent to their spleen. and
some expression Of the malice which they bear
this county and you will find. too, in these
things, an explanation OF the "systematic at
tempt TO defraud."
We fear the censure and love the praise ofall
good aui1 true men; but we would shuu the
approval OF these would-be citizens, and well
come their reproaches as an evidence of the
answering integrity Of our people. But
enough. 4 ~
"No might nor greatness In mortality
Can cen,rre 'scape; bick-woundf2e oslgmnJ
The whftest vfrtne strikes; what King so strong,
Can tie theeall up in the slanderous tongue"
September 6. 1859. LEXINGTON.