The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-08-24
Letter from 3. Odell Duncan.
United States Consul at Ma
pies.
HIS VIEWS on TIE GREAT REFORM
MOVEMENT.

Napies, was addressed to a proml-
nent Republican Of Charleston,
and member of the State Legisla-
ture. In it a decided and compli-
mentary preference was expressed
tor Judge Carpenter, as our next
Governor, but for certain reasons,
then deemed expedient, that por-
tion was onittedin the publication.
The cogent reasoning of the
writer, and the timely appearance
of the letter for good are so pow
crtui that the radicals stoutly pre-
tend to deny its authenticity. But
the original letter is on hand, and
Mr.. Duncan will never deny his
own views, and, furthermore,
Judge Carpenter threw down the
gauntlet in his late Ualcyon Grove,
speech to-wit: That he would bet
ono hundred dollars that the letter
came from Mr.. Duncan,-the mon
ey to be placed in responsible
hands. The party losing to turn
the funds over to the colorcd pco-
pie to be used in building them a
Church. Now. there's your roos-
ter.
We failed to publish the letter
when it first appeared owing-to
the fact that some friend borrowed,
or enemy purloined, it. But its
publication now, is in the nick of
time, and we endorse the follow
ing just comments from the
Charles ton Courier:
"Whcn We say We take pleasure
in laying the letter before our
readers, we are actuatcd by the
fact that it is from q SoHth Caro-
linian. whose personal characters
above reproach, and who, although
q staunch Republican, and sepa-
rated from lis by thousands Of
miles. has the wisdom to perceive.
and the caAlpr 10 acknowledge
the facts that. corruption and dis
honesty have prevailed to an
alarming extent in the conduct Of
o@: State affairs, daring the past
two years. NJ. Duncan, it will
be perceived, is alarmed at the
present condition Of affairs, and
most heartily endorses any move
ment made in good faith, that will
ensure q change. Without fur
ther comment VIC commend the
letter to the attentive perusal of
all clas>rs:'
NAPLES, april %, 1870.
My Dear Sir: 1t was certainly
not my intention to have delayed
writing to you 50 long. But I
have been kept so exceedingly
busy during the winter as to be
compelled to neglect many friends
and much writing that intended |
to have done before now. The
position I hold has not been asine-
cure thus far, but. On the contrary, |
much labor and poor pay.
see, however, that the politi-
cal contest is beginning to grow
warm in Soath Carolina, and as a !
good Carolnian l feel most deeply !
interested in the result. \ desire !
to exchange ideas with those Of
my political, as well as personal
friends, in whom I have confidence,
prevents me from longer silence
with you, | have followed with
great interest, and as carefully as
possible at this great distance, the
course Of events in our State. The
result has generally been disap-
pointnent and grief: Now and
then could see ray Of hope,
when an upright and able Judge
was put on the bench, Or when
those swind!ing railroad schemes
were defeated. But the general
character Of our Legislature and
Of the legislation in Columbia du-
ring the winter has certainly rot
been such as to inspire ms with
confidence in the wisdom, patriot
ism, or even ordinary honesty Of
those at present controlling the
State Government and the "Radi-
car' party in South Carolina
Their action has been such that l
DO not see what reason any class
Of cur people can have for sus-
tanning them. Every property
owner, Of course, has most Just
reason for complaint Of the heavy
expenditures, and consequently
high taxes, unless he be in some
way connected with the Govern
ment so aS to regain, corruptly, :
more than he has to pay. Our
good Governor, tor instance. and
some Of the other State officials
will not complain Of their taxes
while they have such a control Of
the Legislature as TO be able to
make or unmal<c the market for
State or railroad bonds at pleasure,
and thus gain many times over
tho amount Of their taxes. At q
time when it should have been
the prime object Of any party to