The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-05-24
COZ q +. LV[.NIBIA I ", 8 s, (,.
Tuesday Morning, May "a, 1870.
Tho Policy or EGert s.tho Laiasez-Eaire
Z. gN System. -

We have no doubt but that there were
men who, in the days of Alexander Of
Macedon, took the ground that the
'Gordian knot" il let alone. would dis
entangle itself. They were of that order
of persons who, indisposed to make the
necessary effort, seek to excuse their
inertia BY Sdignifying it with .masterlv
inactipity.n But a bold, earnest and
active man, like Alexander, solved the
problem that had vexed 80 many of his
cotempoyaries. With the sword OF
ACTION ii q sharp, short and decisive
way. hscut the Knot, and thus the knot
was, united. We have in South Carolina
"a Gprdian knot" And the question
has arisen, how shall it be untied2 Some
argue, let it'afohe it. viii ulloose itself;
and thus take counsel of their inactivity
Of that spirit which says: "yet little
more sleep-yet little more folding of
the hands for. slumber." Others there
are. who prefer more spirited and active
programme They do not propose to
use the sword OF. military power. That
isialike impossible and d:undesirable But
they do propose to use the weapon Of
peaceful, fair and legitimate ACTION
They are for making ON. effprt-a wise,
an energetic efort-in Behalf political
REFORM Thai is, the young, hopeful.
resoIpte spirits Of the State who are for
industrial progress and political REFORM,
favor action in behalf of the popular
cause; They favor bringing all men to-
gether on the platform of reform, who
oppose those features Of corruption in
the present. government of the State that
have made South Carolina politics shame
and q reproach in the estimation of
honest men-Democrats and Republi-
cans alike-at home and abroad. This
is the policy Of Tie men for action in this
State. They have no faith in the laisses-
Jfaire policy. It did harm to us in the
past. It will wreck us in the future.
There is no philosophy in the policy of
doing nothing. This is o progressive
world. This is moving cru. These
are active times. We must be cup and
doing," or we shall be brushed aside by
the active army of workers aud progress
sionists. Politically and industrially,
we must be achieving and pursuing"
and occupy the field of earnest, we'll
considered, vigorous and virtuous Eff
FORT. We must s'go in to win," but we
must also Ego in" whether we snail win
or not, It is the stirred waters that
gather healing qualities. It is the nov
ing body that COLLECTS the floating
atoms. It is the faith, the virtue,
the manhood, the activity of the
good people of the State which are to
win the State from the spoiler, and put it
on the ground of genuine and whole
some prosperity. Hence our judgment
is against the proposition to stand aloof,
and let the corrupt body politic ''disinte-
CRATE" Left to itself, the cohesive force
of the public plunder will keep it long to-
gether. In the meantime though ''rings''
md "coteries" and foreign-may
fatten, thePEoPnE, white and black, will
bleed and languish. We cannot well
consent to wait; for the ways that we op-
pose are the ways of death to the inter-
ests of the people and the veal of the
State. Our course is taken. Our duty,
as journalist, shall be discharged We
shall continue the free, unbiased, un.
pledged, independent advocate of the
cause Of the people, and we shall stand
sternly opposed to all schemes, and all
combination, and all rings, that stand in
the way of the popular RELIEF. There
are men in the State. who will not con-
sent to let the enemies of good and hon
est government walk unchallenged and
unquestioned in this State They will
demand that all betrayers of the public
interests shall have their misdeeds
brought to light, and themselves forced
before the tribunal of the people.
Grecian horses, made by modern Epeu-
ses, may be sent within tho walls of
our Troy, but there will be found more
than Ona Taocoop RI oap1 fLo ;,voI;, or