The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-03
A South oarollnazprodigal.

South CarolinazProdigal.
That politics enlarges, in q not alto
! gether satisfactory manner, the circle of
| ones sleeping companions .is truth
whose recognition is attested by very
popular axiom. The latest and quite
the most remarkable illustration comes
from our exclusive and patrioian sister,
South Carolina. A son Of that becloud-
ed commonwealth, eleven years a Demo
cratic representative in Washington, an
opponent of tho compromise measures
of Mr.. Clay, because Of their injustice to
tho South, Democratic Speaker of the
Thirty.fifth Congress, advocate of the
repeal of tho Missouri compromise,
member Of the South Carolina Secession
Convention Of 1860, when he voted to
''go out before breakfast, delegate from
South Carolina to Georgia, charged
with the mission of inducing the reluc-
tuut compatriots of Alexander Stephens
to initiate tho precipitancy OF their pal
metto brethren, one would reasonably
have supposed that James Lawrence
Orr, who did and was all these could
safely have been relied upon to illustrate
his declining years with brave cndur-
nnce of the evils he suffers rs citizen,
without one instnnt's abatement of his
hostility to the tyranous hands which
inflict them.
And even though not compounded of
that heroic stuff which originates forti-
tude, the times were auspicious for his
perseverance, in well-doing. For Mt the
same moment, i'll the State next to him
in position, and nearest in name and
blood, drama was in performance
wherein were we'll and successfully illus
frok ko1 oil -
have boon so fortunate for him to pos
sess, or SO becoming to assume. A gal
liant community ground down under the
civil brutality of Holden and Pearson.
and the military brutality of Grant and
Kirk, their own Government and that of
the United States against them, given
over by both to persecution so vile that
n native brigand could not be found
ferocious enough to conduct it, and a
professioal bandit-one Of tho puculiar
fruits of radicalism never before heard
of on this continent-was imported for
tho purpose. Such Il people, with no
allies save .heir own stout hearts and the
Justice of their cause, were, in the very
eyes Of Mr.. james Lawrence Orr, win
ming the fight Of freedom and sealing
the fate of North Carolina raCicalism
and rapucity-.forevcr, let us hope
Amid the hozannas with which this vic
tory Of Just law over n vcnal Judge, II
true people over falso government,
honest citizens over miscreant party
was hailed throughout the land, ono dis
cordant piping alone veXed tho common
ear.
The telegraph announced that the party
of Kirk and Holden had lost State, but
won vote. North Carolina was indeed
gone, but James L. Orr was saved. If
this were all, the world might have pass
cd the incident as simply another of
those compcnsations Of nature, whereby
the worlds balance is preserved; but this
was not all. The penitcnt prodigal
thought it necessary to publish the ren-
son of his return; and such reason! No
remOrse ut his crimes, no regret Mt his
course, no longing for the shelter of the
paternal bowers or tho consultations Of
the paternal bosom, no desire to repair
portnnities. Nothing of all this; but
with an ingenious cnndor which deserves
memorial brass in these days of delu-
siOns, he smites his empty epigastrium,
lifts up his voice and cries out: 'There
are only husks where am; bnt there's
fattcd calf where 7 am going"
! For five years, quoth lie, have been
vainly seeking rich fields and green pas
tures; for five years, have been vainly
hunting those public perquisites and
per diems whcrcon I have fntteued from
callow youth to ages verge; for five
years, have found no profit in princi-
pie, consistency and right. I can stand
the husks no longer. The Republican
party, it is evident, is going to rule
South Carolina for many years to come,
and propose to step aboard If you
poor Democrats. without my aid and
despite my opposition, can restore law,
and liberty and respectable admins
tration to South Carolna-in word, if
yon can get decided majority, you may
rely confidently on my return, so don't
rent out my room if you please! Az
TcE0ir.
The public will await with impat;ence
the announcement of the consideration.
Richmond Enquirer.
Is IT AN AWFUL MIsTAKE?-It seems