The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-06-22


South Carolina---a reform that shall
put South Carolina on rising ground
and dispel those noxious vapors thai
nov rise from the hot beds of corruption
This, We know, is strong language, but
not stronger than the truth warrants
So much for the origin of this move.
ment for reform. Let us consider neg,
it's character. The movement for reform
now on foot is neither Democratic
movement nor Republican one--neith
or white mans nor 6lach mans. The
proposition is that all men-all sobe,
refleoting citizens, whether Democrats
Republicans, white, black, or neither
whether Of party or ofmo party-shal
lay aside all other considerations and
views, and unite together to relieve
the State in its extremity shall united
u seek to rescue the State from the
rapacious grasp Of plundering Rugs
pilfering officials, and corrupt legisla
tors. This is the movement, as we
understand it. It cannot be denied
that the proposition is fair one. Nc
honest man can be injured by it. II
ought to address itself to cvery we'll
wisher of South Carolina. To rise above
pdrty-above the PREJUDICE os RACE,
in order to rescue South Carolina, and
give to all an administration honest,
fair and economical, promotive of peace
and industrial development-thic surely
is worthy aud patriotic movement.
This is the object Of the movement. The
reform movement seeks to inaugurate
in South Carolina an era of genuine
peace and genuine progress. The polit,
ical rights of all Glasses of the people
being fully and freely recognized, it is
proposed by this movement to aim here
at q cheerful and wholesome self.
government, and at vigorous ani
enlightened industrial development.
This, now, is the movement-its
origin, its character, and its purpose.
A Convention will meet here on the
18th to put the movement into execu-
tion- It will be Convention in which
more than three fourths Of the Coun ties
of the State will be represented. And
as to the other Counties, they, doubt.
less, will fall into line, and second the
general purpose. Before this Conven-
tion two great questions will no doubt
come up, viz: What principles to declare
and what move to make in the matter
of nomination for State officers. As
to the first matter, doubtless the Con.
vention will adopt the liberal propo.
sitions embraced in the resolutions of
the press conference. We hope it will.
Let the element of opposition to negro
suffrage be eliminated from our issues.
AS to the second matter, we presume
there will be a difference Of opinion.
On this subject we have very decided
views. AS public journalist, whose
duty it is to have opinions and express
them, and let them go for better or
worse, we do not hesitate to put our
selves on the record upoL this question.
We favor unequivocally aud decidedly
the putting forth of candidates for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Without this, it does seem to us that
the Convention takes the edge off the
reform weapon-gives us Hamlet with
Hamlet omitted. If there be "some-
thing rotten in Denmark" let US find
it out. Let us put candidates in the
field aud bring out all the points con-
nected with the administration. Let
the canvass bring the present admins.
tration before the tribunal ofthe public.
If it has done no wrong, it will not
object to scrutiny. We repeat it, let
the CASE OF THE PEOPLE be carried
before the high court of the people of
the state. Let the declaration be fled
let the issue be made-let the public.
servants be arraigned-let the advocates
be heard-and lot the matter 60 before
the jury of the State. This will do good.
1t always does good to proclaim the
denounce vice and error, and
crime. just as the tightening, altho'
it may blast lofty and wide spreading
oaks, leaves the air pure when the storm
is over, so the language Of truth, when
it is uttered, altough it may strike down
high individuals, yet promotes the pub
lie good, and gives US purcr morals and
purer tastes, and the promise Of better
days. Let the nomination be made, and
let the grand inquest be had. 1t is due
to the people ofthe State that we call
in question the acts and doings Of the
ruling regime. AS for ourselves, as the
impartial advocate Of the popular in
terests, We ask for "the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth" In
this matter, we have no personal feelings
to crafty, and no party or personal end
to subserve. We bear q personal ILL
will against no member of the
regime we denounco and arraign.-
All we ask is the truth-all we seek is
THE PROSPERITY AND HONOR OF SOUTH
CAROLINA. And we are perfectly will.
ing, nay, even anxious, that only what
is right, and just, and true shall prevail
in the principles We maintain and the
action we advise.
FRESH AIR.
Fresh air by day and night, strong
and nourishing food, dry soil on which
to live, sunlight and warm clothing are
the means OF saving many lives which
.u.n1J have ham bnpo1oooIu Loot in th a