The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-10-15

party OF corruption seems to me rather novel,
and think would meet with very serious obsta-
cies. 1t would not be SUFFICIENT to call yourself
q Republican. You would also have to join the
Union League and take part In It's disgusting
sauaboles. Besides it Is said that new converts
must undergo period Of probation, before they
can be fully trusted All this would make the
process Of reform, on your plan, slow anu dill
cult. / do not remember any instance of party
having been reformed in this way:.;The general
rife n for r,srties to become more ctrrupt as they
crow older. II am not mistaken, reforms are
generally effected just as the c"ReiormeEs' IN
South Carolina now propose. Il could mention
many instances Of such. Virginia nox enjoys the
benefits of respectable government, as. the. re-
suit Of similar movement; and, 4 my memory
does not fail me, quite q respectable number Of
thempst intelligent. .colored men voted for 1t.
The City OF Chicago was only able to free he5self
from corrupt, .tringn OF one party or the other
by combination of she good elements of both
parties in favor Of reform. The "Young Democ-
racyn Of New York are now attempting to reform
Tammany, not by joining the ''rirg," but by form.
ing separate organization.
Nor. can I at all agree with you that this can.
ga serious injury to the State" 1t will tend to
Instruct the colored people in political life, MAKE
them more Independent Of secret leagues, and
prepare the way for success IN the future. 1t
will cause the corruptionists themselves to be
less bold and violent. seeing the, danger they In.
cur. 1t will strengthen the better elements OF the
party mpeh, more than II no effort had been made
against corruption. 1t will result !n sending to
the Legislature II not q majority, "a much more
intelligent, active and honest minority, which
will be able to expose and prevent much OF the
corruption that disgraced the last Legislator e.
By keeping keen eye on the administration, 1t
will be able to protect the State Treasury. Sc.
rious troubles will very likely grow out OF the
contest, owing to scott's manifest determination
to carry the day by force OF, fraud. But this Is
danger to be II ct sooner or later and better now,
prohably, than two years hence. Omejals IN
south Carolina should be taught, as they are now
being taught In North Carolina, that lawlessness
on their part is as much crime as on the part OF
simple indiyldqals, 60 y.;ff,:., .:...,.r,,
cannot Judge at this distance of the prospects,
but hope for THE success ofthe "Reformers.' =
I am opposed to the present administration be-
cause sfncompetent," "corrupt,n and "extrava.
eant,n and because "reforn Is greatly needed y
lam In favor of the '.ReformersH because t!eir
principles are Republican, and because there "ls
no issue except reform.' believe In Judge Car
penters the State would, have an. able and RopesL
doyernof' I believe that more would be DONE l0r
the education OF the colored race than blythe
present administrator / believe justice would
be better secured to them by having more COM
petent set OF magistrates and subordinate on
Gals. believe, with the election OF Carpenter,
the fermentation Of discord between the Two
races would cease. and that they would live to-
Cethercin peace and harmony, TO the great gain
OF both, but more especially OF the colored race
! i am perfectly well aware that, 10 taking this
position, am subjecttng myself to denunciation
by certain set OF men as traitor, &c: But oy
advocating the principles OF the Republican party
In '67 and 1853, when 1t was not without danger 10
INV section OF the state to 10 80, think proved
suf1iclently that was not to be moved from the
course considered right by denuuclatlon or
danger. am Republican. and expect to re-
MAN so. But l do not consider 1t my duty as o
Republican to vote for men l am convinced are
corrupt, merely because they can claim the reg
ularn party nomination, more especially when the
party Is led BY Whittemore. ~
Very respectfully, yours, go
Naples, September, 1870 B. o. DUNCAN.