The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-07
COLUMBIA, I + MI a S.. C.,
Wednesday Morning September 7. 1870

"0uuoSuay MOIuluR, S6ptemUeC Ao(I
Governor scott,s Military Programme
Tho Arming OF tho Negro Militia.
Since the inhiotion upon South Caro-.
lima of thepresentregin made up largely
of self-seeking politicians. who live by
their trade, and of miserable pretenders,
whose ignorance of State craft is
equal to their presumption, the people
of the State have. been constrained to
submit to many enormities. But we
doubt if anything that has yet been en-
acted equals in enormity the military
programme that is now being carried
out by the present unscrupulous and
partial Executive. What is Governor
SCOTS military programme? Under tho
pretence of carrying out the militia laws
of the State what does he do? Does
the recognize the fact that South Caro-
Tina is composed of white people Us we'll
rs black people? It would seem not.
HE undertakes to organize the militia of
South Carolina, and the result is, that he
organizes the blacks, and upon some
pretezt or another, ignores white organi-
cations. AS a general rule, the colored
people are his. political supporters, and
Ghess he organizes, and to these he
issues his improved arms. and to these
he distributes his ball cartridges. AS
some one has remarked, these oolored
troops are Scott's political militia"
ne expects them to vote nobly for him
and his corrupt ring. We ask, how many
white companies has Governor Scott re-
ceived, and how many has he armed?
This is, indeed, pretty state of affairs!
Here, in South Carolina, the whites
econcede to the colored people the rights
secured to them by law. There is de-
sire on the part of the whites to have
peace and good understanding. But
this docs not suit Governor Scott and
his crew. They flourish by keeping up
AN antagonism between the races that
inhabit South Carolina. They desire to
prolong the era of antagonism. Hence
Governor Scott interposes between the
whites and blacks his rifles and his cart
ridges, and &c acts out his theory that
the 'Winchester Rifle is the best law. {"
This state of things must be o matter of
regret to oil sober and discreet citizens.
1t must meet the condemnation even
.of sensible colored people. At least, it
,should so be received by them. The
time will yet come. when the colored
people will see that men like tGoyernor
Scott, instead of being their friends, are
really their worst enemies.
The white people of this country must,
at an'early day lin the South, rs we'll as
ia the North, exert controlling power.
Now, u the United States, the colored
people stand to the whites as 4, 100000
to 4O,OO0,00O. In the South, the pro-
portion is as 3,sOO,OOO to 100000 1t
would be we'll for long-headed colorcd
men to ponder over these figures.
With respect, now, to Governor
Scott's military programme in South
Carolina, and his exclusive black militia
organization. we have only to remark,
that this is in keeping with the radical
programme, to keep the races politically y
apart; and we have only to add, that we
have no doubt as to ultimate result of
this role. Certainly it bodies no good to
the negro. It would be we'll for the
'colored people 3 each County to consi-
der whether or not they intend to be
misled by their self-seeking leaders,
white or black.