The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-11-17
The Past-The Future.

4 Nothing has ever been more fully or thor
! ourhly demonstrated than the utter folly of
/ making concessions in the recent election in
/ South Carolina. The election shows that the
colored people intend to vote en- nsasse, and that
they intend 70 vote for those of their own Sc
lection, or those who representthe sentiments.
In every speech and in every circular they were
posted not to vote for those who represented the
interest or the sentiment of the:white people of
the State. By numbers and by fraud the white
people have been overwhelmed and misrule
continues. ~ -
Since the election it is really surprising to
see that even our radical friends complain
at the unfairness of the administration of
affairs, and especially of the superative unfair
ness and rascality almost of necessity connec-
ted with the election law. The Daily RepubH-
can in discoursing upon this subject says
But there was gross frauds in some parts of
the State And in the election law lies the pos
sibility OF frauds ten times as great as any COM
mitted at the recent election-such, in fact, as
would render an election actually and trulya
costly farce.
Therefore we urge the immediate amendment
or repeal of the law. Not single election,
even to fill vacancy, should be held under it.
The first essential change is in the time and
manner of the count The count should be
commenced on the spot Immediately after the
polls are closed, and should be publicly made,
and the result publicly declared The ballots
should then be put back into the bo1es-the
boxes sealed-and the boxes, the poll books,
and the declared result Immediately transmitted
to the County Commissioners or Canvassers.
The boxes should then be properly guarded un-
til new and complete count is made.
With this and other amendments we can be
perfectly sure of fair election, and in no other
way. To fair election both parties and all
the people are entitled. Without it, Republi-
canism is no better than tyranny-in fact is a
despicablc tyranny.
Itisno intelligence that many and gross frauds
were perpetrated in various sections of the
State, but why were not such confessions made
before the election? Why was it insisted upon
that the election law, perfectly infamous and
outrageous in its provisions, gave to the people
an assurance of fair and honest election? Is
it possible, that since the election, the injustice
of the law has become so apparent, even to radi-
cal leaders, that they feel bound to denounce it
in bitter terms? If so, the people should feel
some confidence that reason and common JUS
tice may perchance return.
The election and its feelings are, however
now things of the past, and we insist upon that
obedience to law and observance of good order
which has always characterized our people,
That which we desire most of everything else
is that the affairs of our State be administered
with fairness and economy, That the people,
white and colored be allowed the same privi-
leges and the same opportunities of protection
at the ballot-box, the jury-box, and the car
tridge-box. Waste and extravaganza should be
discouraged by every means within the power
of all the people. The expenditures of our
State Government should be curtaled in all of
its departments, and the squandering of the
substance of the people at once and forever
abandoned. Will Gov. Scott and his party
pursue such course, or will they continue the
line of policy and the wasteful extravaganza
and plunder which has characterized the ad-
ministration during the last two years? Time,
and time only, will answer this question, and
we urge our people earnestly to await the dawn
ing of better and more hopeful day in the
history of South Carolina