Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1870-08-26
From The Southern Guardian.
The Political Situation as Viewed
by Judge Orr.

When in March last Judge Orr came out
in an elaborate letter with Ills views of pub
lie policy, aud advised our people frankly to
acquicscc in the amendments to the ronstitu-
tion of the United States which secured the
right of suffrage and of holding Office to the
black aud cOlored race, and to harmOniZc
their political relations with the colorcd po-
pulation of this State, in order that they
might secure their aid in voting for sound
measures, as well as in working their fields;
when, in scornful and opprobrious terms he
branded the adventures who by chicanery,
fraud and corruption had installed themselves
in strOng-holds of power aud trust; and when
he pointed out the lamcntablc need of good
government and urgent necessity for reform,
we promptly extended to him the right hand
OF approval, and the need OF our commend
alton. We thought him patriotic and right;
we believed him to be ir the path of duty,
and on line of action which would result in
great public good. We hcsitated not, there
fore, to commend Judge Orr's course, and to
recommend to our people to listen to his ad
vice and heed his suggestions
Time has rolled Oh, the tide Of corruption
and misrule has swollen into wide and de-
vastating stream, delugng the land and pois
onlug the very air we breathe Its noisome
stencil has reached distant States, and the
press of the North and Northwest have stig.
matizcd the Radical party in South Carolina
as nuisance which must be speedily abatcd
| a putrid cxcrcscence which must be prompt.
ly Topped off. The true Republican party of
the country feels subject to discount Oh it's
good maine and rcsrectabilty on account of
! the dongs of its disgusting representatives in
| tb &c yrit
jobs, plundcr, bribery, filchins and pronigacy,
its utter ter waat, in fact, Of intelligence charac,
te., public aud private deccncy-are thiags
| not dcniood here except in faint way, and
are nOS known and keeny felt North, by
on trial for high crimes and msdemeanors.
A movement born partly of the good and
honest words of Judge Orr himself in rebuke
of the general corruption has been made in
this State with tho object Of wrestling the
government out Of these incompetent, rcck-
less and plundering hands, of the cndeavor.
ing to make life and society toorable here
once moro. 1t has grown into tho Union
Reform party, adopted n platform, and nomi-
mated candidates for Gv, ornor and Leuten.
ant Governor These candidates have gone
orth.among the people strenuously advocating
economy in expenditures, diminution of tnx
>es, responsibility of Office holders, and other
measures of reform, They have called the
corrupt State government to stern account,
and aroused tho public indignation against
its fragrant excuses, and its hideous crimes.
The people, white and black, have given
them warm reception. They eagerly drink
In their words of truth and soborness, end are
cheerea with the hope and prospect of a
| speedy deliverance The prcjudioes which
attended the inception Of the movement are
fast dying Que, opposition to 1t is daily dimip.
fishing, and the good and true men ofiail
classes, parties and colors arc graLifcd to find
themselves in accord ia its objects. 1t is a
moment ofsuprcmc interest to its frieadsy as