The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-03-26
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Saturday Morning. March ss. 1870.
President Giant VI. Governor Scott.
The remarks attributed to Gov. Scott,

as given In our issue OF yesterday, are to
be invested with some importance-not
80 much because Of the man, as because
of the Office be holds. We regard his
reference to South Carolina as offensive
and uncalled for. 4At the same time, his
remarks, conceived in the spirit of the
braggart, and singularly inappropriate in
one claiming to be the chief magistrate
of the people of South Carolina, may be
regarded as characteristic. Gov. Scott
refers to the campaign of 1868. The
history of that campaign, so far as he is
concerned, and as respects his dealings
with prominent gentlemen in this State,
has not yet been given, and when it does
soc the light, it will reveal the present
valiant Governor in other and truer colors
than those in which he presents himself
before an audience in the far off city of
Washington. Now he puts on the lions
skin, and roars like lion. Has he for
gotten the time when, affected by unne-
cessary alarms, he was as gentle as
lamb? But it is the rule for timid ma
lures, when imaginary dangers are no
longer felt, to affect valorous role and
to seek to excuse their baseless alarms
Gov. Scott speaks of the "Southern Con-
federacy," and talks of the ''rebel ele-
ment"-thus pandering to the feelings
which good men, both North and South,
are seeking to allay. and thus to have
Union restored indeed. Let us say to
Gov. Scott that the s'Southern Confed-
eracy" need not OCCUR to him to disturb
his nerves. The men who sustained that
cause surrendered at the order of Lee,
Johnston, Taylor and Kirby Smith, and
like honorable and brave soldiers, are
mindful of their new obligations. But
the Governor refers also to the "rebel
clement" We know of no such element,
in the sense in which he uses the term.
But there is a rebel element in South
Carolina. and in the South, and in the
North and in the West, also. We mean
the element disposed to rebel against Of
fetal dishonesty, bribery, thieving, ex-
travhgance, and political rascallty in
poses wickedness in high places as we'll
as low places. We mean the element
that demands economy, retrenohment
and reform in public affairs. We mean
the element that insists upon it that the
few shall not fatten whilst the many grow
poor We mean the element that oppo-
ses the political vampires that all through
the South are drawing the blood from
PROSTATE States and impoverished COM
munities. II this be rebellion, then there
is "rebel element at the South, and long
may it live. But we differ from Gov.
Scott, and sthe element" referred to diff
fers from Gov. Scott in this: He prefers
"the Winchester ri1e"-we, albeit not
unused to that weapon, prefer the peace
fnl remedy of the ballot, and aOiM the
ballot zoe hope TO make our rebellion against
corrupt government good But enough on
this point.
Let us now contrast the spirit of Scott
with the spirit of Grant-''the man of
war with "the man Of peace" General
Wall Ghoo NOSo
him honor and which is suggestive of
the terms accorded by him at Donelson,
vicksburg and Appomattox, is looking
anxiously forward to the time when he
can propose measure of general am
nesty, and from his chair at Washington
hold out the olive branch to an harassed
people. Gov. Scott, in different spirit,
proposes to keep old wounds open, and,
spurning the banner of peace and good
will, holds aloft the "Winchester rifle"
as the symbol of government in the
South. II tell yon." says Governor
Scott, "that the Winchester rifle is the
best law" Thus stands Grant, and thus
stands Scott. Judge ye between them.
In the coming election we desire all
citizens entitled to vote, to cast their
ballot. We desire to coerce no man-to
intinilate no one. We want fair play.
We want equal and exact justice. But,
Judging from Gov. Scott's warlike utter
ances, we have been led to suppose that