The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-03

SOME PLAIN THoU9HTs.-In Novetn-
Der, 1868, agreeably to the law OF the
present State Legislature, an election
was held for Mayor and Aldermen of
Columbia. The election was held. It
was regular election. The result was
not contested. The successful nominees
were elected to hold their Office until
April, 1872. 1t was thought at the time
that this settled the question of munich
pal government until April, 1872 But
not so. A Democratic ticket had been
elected, and radical Legislature was up
to the emergency. ADemocrat must be
law-abiding, but radical may be above
law, whenever party ends are to be con-
summated. Party trickery was called
into play. Some astute genius put his
wits to work. and the scheme was con-
coctcd. Thereupon it was moved,
seconded and carried, that the limits of
Columbia bo extended, and that new
election be held. That is, the principle
was adopted that party points shall be
carried, and by fair means or foul, this
thing must be done. And sufficient
number of legislators was found TO per-
petrate the outrage. We have said, and
we repeat it, this was wanton exercise
of power on the part of the Legislature,
and one that ought to be rebuked.
Allow us to ask, what is the significance
of this kind of legislative action, which
upsets the decision Mt the ballot-box,
and in lawless spirit goes back upon it's
own enactments, and lays rude hand
! upon rights, which, under the constitu-
ton of the State, are Uested in certain
individuals for definite time? Does it
! not produce well-founded sense of in
security? In free countries, or countries
professedly free, it is the voice of the
voters at the ballot-box that gives to the
servants of the public-to the repre-
sentatives of the people-the credentials
of their authority. And if this au-
thority is recklessly thrown aside, what
is to bo the end? The act of to-day be-
comes the precedent of tomorrow, and
soon misrule tends to anarchy, and
anarchy to insecurity, and everything to
the public disadvantages
The voters of Columbia have high
duty to discharge. They are not only
| concerned about such O municipal go
Vernment as will promote the interests of
the city, but they have n civil wrong to
resent and high principle to advocate.
They have already elected Mayor and
Aldermen for Columbia. These men
have not failed in their trust. Let the
people re-af1irm the decision already
once made, aud not fail to administer
rebnke to that lawless rule which lcgis-
lates men in and out of Office, and which
for paltry party purposes, sets la,o and
order aside and counts fair play us moth
ing. Law-abiding citizens will under.
stand their duty. This is not party
question. 1t has ceased to be matter
of politics. The proposition is that the
present Mayor and Aldermen nre entitled
to servo their term out, and upon this
ground we doubt not that many Re-
publican, who formerly opposed them,
| d.
Men generally have decided preference
for fair play, and rejecting citizens will
not full to recognize the importance of
letting regular and fair elections stand.
AS for those who persist in the wrong,
we have only to suggest that all history
is full of wicked inventions returning to
plague the inventors-of biters being
bitten-of two-edged swords-of engi-
neers hoisted by their own petards.
HONESTY, FAIR PLAY, RIGHT DEALING
these are the courses that endure and at
lust win. They do not always prove
good for quarter races" but for ''long
heats" they come out with flying colors.
''ln the long run" these are tho winners.
Let men act accordingly.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES THIS DAY.-Tri-
nifty Church-Rev. P. j. Shand, Rector,
10% A. M. and 4P. NJ.
st. Peters Church-Rev. J. j. O'Con-
nell. Pastor. 1019 A. M. and p. NJ.