The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-07-01
Ct)T,UA4BIA, IS. C
Friday Morning. July !, 1870. !

M Cohesion In InactivirylLet US Work
Nhilst tt is Day-south Carolina to BIO
Redeemed.
We,notice that one or two Of our
journals and few writer's insist upon it
that ..inactivity" is 'masterly." And
they hold that it is better to sit still than
to press the lines of the Union Reform
movement: This we deem great mis-
take. We hold that some mode of op-
position to the present corrupt and ruin
ous regime wns demanded, and now that
the Union Reform weapon has been
adopted, let it be welded boldly, active
lyand ssgaoiously. It ia weapen of
truth, and let its keen edge strike to the
very. roots Of our evils. The platform
adopted by the. recent Convention has
been sharply assailed. We deny that it
is,liable to the objections made. It is
broad and liberal, but it is not true that
itmakes any sacrifice of honor or princi-
pie. To recognize and agree to treat as
law pre.existent enactments, involves no
recognition. whatever Of the means
adopted. to secure these enaosments.
nor; does'it involve any opinion Of their
abstractlcharacter. Nor is it at allincon-
sistent with what is due to the whites of
South Carolina to concede to the oolored
man his equitable share in common
government. South Carolina is inhab-
tied by two peoples each in state of
freedom, So: called. The question is not
whether we would have it so or other
wise, but the question is, this being tho
state Of things, what.i is bsst to be done?
We deem it best 20 recognize things as
we ffud them. We believe it best to
seize the. abnormal in order to bring
aboutthe normal. If the pyramid stands
upon the apex, let us step forth and by
fair meansplaceit upon its base. Things
are not to be righted by holding aloof
and crying that they are wrong. This
plan has already. been fully: tried in
Soath Carolina. anil in our present con-
dition We may see the result. But it is
contended that we must hold out to the
bitter end against negro suffrage, for
this leads to social equality and mongreli-
zation! Now. this proposition is, in our
judgment, mere assumption. We
have more faith in the white people Of
South Carolina than to anticipate any
such results. Universal suffrage has, in
our judgment, been made by wrongful
and unconstitutional legislation the law
of the land. But it IS the law OF the
land. A "verity" it may not be, but an
accomplished fact" it certainly is. 1t is
upon US. Let us make the most Of it..
II 1t, should ultimately, by means OF
Representative reforms" work well, all
will say let it stand. If it shall work
badly, then the remedy will be applied
and the problem be solved. In the
meantime, whilst the experiment is going
on. common sense and ordinary prr-
dence will bid us save ourselves as much
as possible from possible harm. If the
stream has surged over its embank-
ments, let us seek to direct it's course.
Nor need any man of 'little faith" ina
gine that this movement will leave us
''not only defeated, but what is worse,
degraded and dishonored." There is no
degradation and dishonor in the reform
movement. There are men connected
with it who could not lend themselves to
aught that involves these consequences.
Rather is it q matter of reproach that
there are in South Carolina men indis-
posed to make an effort to redeem the
fortunes of the State.
We observe that writer in the Sum
ter WatcAnaan assails the language and
sentiments of certain gentlemen, who
spoke in the recent Convention. We
might resent, with indignant feelings,
the suggestion offered, that these men
are not fully alive to the honor and good
name OF South Carolina. But no vim
dication is needed. we have no such
fears rs this correspondent expresses.
The white race in South Carolina must,