The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-20
Law and Order in til. SCUM.

Orleans 1134(@11%.
Law and Order in the South
A strenuous effort was made in the Anti
Slavery Convention, on Wednesday, to re-
vive expiring prejudices concerning the con-
dition of society in the South, with especial
reference to the rights and interests of CO.
lored citizens and Northern "loyalists." One
of the expelled Georgia legislators was asked
whether he considered his life safe in that
State, and he responded that no mans life,
who stands on the loyal side, is safe in
Georgia, outside of the large cities. The
question was pressed in other forms, and
always with somewhat similar result; the
evident aim being to produce an impression
that Ku Klux and rebels still dominate in
the South, and that the staunch Republi-
can, white or black, is all the time in jeo-
pardy. MIR. Wendell Phillips likened the
white Southerner to ''the bulldog that,
having been taught for twenty years to
spring ut every passer-by, could not change
his nature in day" The ladies we're equally
ferocious; n colored Mrs. Harper declaring
that ''there is no civilized country in tho
world where there has been so much MUIR
dering as has been going on recently at the
South" For the object of these represen-
tations we have not fur to seek. case
against Georgia and the unreconstructed
States is desired as an excuse for harsh
action, and the story OF murder for political
causes is the best that can be concocted for
the purpose.
We are more than skeptical on this sub
ject. We do not believe these tales of whole
sale murder and oppression, nor do we give
crcdence to the allegation that "loyalists"
are Systematically prosecuted and hunted
down. There was time, undoubtedly,
when in some localities hostile spirit ran
high and when the assertion of Republican
opinion involved more or less peril; but
trustworthy evidence seems to show that
this state of things no longer exists. So far
as we can Judge, life and property are quite
as secure ut the South as at the North.
Taking population into account, we are con-
vlnced that the per centage of crime is no
greater anywhere in the South, and certainly
not in Georgia, than in the North or West.
For every murder committed there, we will
undertake to find murder here For every
Outrage that admits of verifcation in Geor-
gia, we will trace parallel outrage in In
diana or New York. Nay, we are persuaded
that, all things considered, there is less
crime in Virginia, in South Carolina, in
Alabama, and even in Georgia, than in this
State, or in other parts OF the North This
city could easily supply chapter of horrors,
of recent date, which: by a party of reason
ing Southern Observers, might cite as proofs
of savngery and GENERALIZATION. SncL m
application of facts would BE un warranted,
but it would be not, less legitimate than the
endeavor Of the Anti-Slayery Society fa-
natics to arraign the whole South for the
acts of its criminal clnss It is absurd to
look for a greater average of virtue, or
greater Immunity from crime there than we
are contented with here. What Georgia
and its neighbors may fairly plead is, that
in respect of offences against person and
property, they have nothing to fear from
comparison with Massachusetts or Michigan.
And this is all we are entitled to expect.
But, we are told, the South does not well
come ioud-tongued loyalists rs cordially as
they think they should be welcomed. Mr..
forney, who has been spying out the naked
ness of the land in company with a party
like unto himself, publicly complains that
they went about without being worshipped.
He does not allege that they were insulted.
lie does not pretend that they had any ap-
prehenslon rs to their personal safety. He
does not deny that homes await all who seek
them with decent respect for the feelings
and opinions of the present population.
But he objects that the entire South did
not take him and his friends at their own
valuation, and that it receives coldly those
who go there as professional politicians. or
VINO insist, when settling, that they shall be
esteemed as the only loyal, the only right
eouS, members of the community These
objections and complaints are very foolish.
In the first place, Southern citizens have as
good right as Northern citizens to choose
their company and friends and may as pro
perly discriminate in their welcome 10 new
comers. In the next place, the men who go
South expecting to make business of poll
tics, and who denounce every one who re-
fuses to vote their ticket are a nuisance in
any locality, and are not entitled anywhere
to courtesy or consideration.
The South should be judged, not by it's
feeling toward demagogues and adventures,
but by its treatment of strangers of any
nationality who go there in good faith, pre-