The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-07-07
Tho Truth will Prevail.

fortunes of the Scott Ring, and who are, at
once, all its weakness and it's only strength.
The one class has already tasted the rich
ness of the public spoils; the other lives in
the hope that a turn OF the wheel may enable
i its members to diptheir fingers into the lot
I terry box of wealth. These two SETS added
to Scott and his lieutenants, form the solidi-
fed and compacted Ring whose cohesive
ness is that of public plunder-whether IN
eSse or in posse.
| In no other particular can the adherents OF
the Ring claim for themselves or their cause
even shadow Of strength. They admit
that there is but beggarly account of in-
telligence in their. ranks-saying that the
recalcitrancy OF the whites SO narrowed their
field of choice that they could do no better.
They admit that their party is impure-ex-
cusing themselves, with brazen efrontery,
by the declaration that any other body Of
men, with equal opportunities, would be as
dishonest as they confess themselves to be.
They admit that their leaders are rotten to
the core-and go so far as to say that this
rottenness and roguery will enable them to
gain, at the fall elections, an absurdly easy
victory. One Of their hangers-on offers to
s.plauk down" ahandsome sum opay the ex-
penses Of stump.speakers who shall prove to
the people that the Scott Ring have stolen
right and left, and intend to do it again.
And this shrewd wire-puller, judging this
people by the allies Of the Ring, processes to
believe that the opening Of wide vista OF
robbery and raplne will bring the whites and
blacks, in lump, over to the side OF the
Ring This principle however expressed,
uuderIes all the plans of Governor Scott and
his party. They know that they have the
control OF the State Treasury; they are will
ing, if needs must, to contribute to the bri-
berry fund small percentage Of their gains;
they have places to promise and public
monies to give away. This is their armory.
Ther know that those who have already had
share in the plunder earnestly cry for more;
they know that those who have not had
slice OF the spoils crave the good things
which have hitherto been denied them. Upon
these two elements, and their enforced iden-
ty the Ring rely for immunity and sue
cess.
1t is not to be denied that many man is
moved by golden spur who cannot be
stirred by the prickings of too tender cor
science The paid hirelings Of the Ring
the political Swiss-will, no doubt, do
good days bad work for fair days wages.
But something more is necessary than the
labors OF the Ring. Unless the Ring, and
its mendacious mouth-pieces, can induce
the colored people OF the State to vote for
them as they did two years ago, the whole
fabric viii topple to the ground, and the vii
famous crew will have before them only two
paths-one leading out of the State, and
the other leading into the penitentiary.
And what are the chances that the Scott
Ring, and their satellites, will be able to
convince the negroes that it is for their good
to re-elect the same men, or the same stamp
of men, who have loaded down the State
with debt, who oppress the people with taxa
ton, who paralyze every branch Of trade,
and place in jeopardy every description of
property? tis very plain that the Ring
will not have logical leg to stand upon.
They recognize, in words, the equal right OF
all citizens to vote and to hold public Office,
but the Union Reform party does this, in
iact-.ne only difference is that the Ring
Claims oil the lucrative Offices for its own
corrupt unlerstrappers, while the Resormers
seek out for every Office, aud support for any
Office, honest, intelligent men, without re-
gard to class or party. The Ring boast o.
their work in emancipating and enfranchis-
Ing the slaves; but the Reformers point to
the ratification, by South Carolina Legis-
lature, of the Constitutional amendment
aboiishing slavery, and to the declaration in
their party platform that ''the vast changes
| sin our system OF government. -. are
$50 far incorporated into the constitutions
land laws Of the States, and OF the United
Estates, as to require that they be regarded
'as accomplished facts, having the force and
obligation Of law'-the only difference is
thai the Ring bind the colored man by secret
oatns to vote for any rascal or ignoramus
whom they may nominate, while the Reform
ers invite him to come forward as citizen
and deposit his ballot, without threat and
without obligation, for candidates whom all
good men can trust.
Beyond the old cries Of freedom and the
ballot, the Ring have nothing to offer. They
have not improved the condition OF the COL
ored man, mentally or physically. In no
particular have they encouraged him to in-
dustry, or shown him how to add honestly to
the comforts of his home. And this one
point the Ring must not for5et-:he colored
men are quick enough ana Intelligent