The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-10-13
United, We Stand.

never been time in the history of South Caro-
lima when the vital interests of our State more
urgently demanded perfect unanimity of SEN
timent and action among our people. In una
nimity of action alone rests our hope of shak-
ing off the shackles of heartless oppression,
and redeeming our State from its embarrass-
ment and prospective ruin. Poor and destitute
as we were at the commencement of SCOTS ad-
ministration, we have been burdened with an
onerous and enormous tax, the great proper
ton of which is expended in paying utterly
useless officers large salaries. By careful ex-
animation of the figures in the address of Gen.
Conner, it will be found that the accounts of
various parties with the State fail to balance by
thousands of dollars Yet this plunder is not
even checked by those in authority, and ii
Scott and his party are reelected to office, and
continue to control the State, what its financial
condition may be in the next two or four years
it is impossible to conjecture.
From every section in the lower part of the
State the intelligence comes to us, 1--WE can and
will succeed in the coming election if the up
per part of the State will only do her duty"
If the white people in the lower counties, with
the colored element who have united with them
feel hopeful of success, and are working vigor-
ously to that end, surely in this section we
could need no stronger encouragement. The
contest involves no great political principles,
but it is a contest for retrenchment and honesty
against extravaganza, plunder and dishonesty.
The material interests of every taxpayer, both
white and colored, in South Carolina, demands
a reformation. Nay, more than this, the sue
cess and prosperity of every laboring man in
the State greatly depends upon such reforma-
tion as thatso earnestly sought by our standard
bearers. In Anderson county we should not be
content with bare majority, but should poll
every vote possible for Carpenter and Butler.
We should allow no mere preferences or favor
ties for offices of minor Importance to divert US
for single moment from the great issue.
If the nominees in every instance are not
what the people would desire, we invoke our
people, by the recollections of the past, by the
prospects of the future, and by the demands of
every principle of right, of honor, and of JUS
tice, not to allow themselves to be moved in in
terest or effort in the only hope for the redemp-
ton of South Carolina from the control of ad-
venturers and scalawags. No aspiration for
Office, no hunting for positions of profit, (for
we believe there are none of special honor,)
should induce any of our people to lose sight
of the great interests at stake, in this CAM
paign.
While no great political issues are involved
in the race, yet the lines of the contest are so
clearly drawn that it is impossible for any to
occupy position of neutrality. "He that is
not for me, is against me" is q truth which ad-
mirably applies TO every citizen of the State in
this contest 1t is impossible to be neutral.
we are either in favor of the administration as
it is, or We desire to see it changed. If favor
able to the former, then are we the supporters
of Scott and his party; and if opposed to the
administration of its affairs, then we are the
advocates of change in those who fill high
places in our State. Our people should be care
full that they are not deceived by the subtle ar
guments of those who profess to be Indifferent
to these great interests, but in truth think it
impolitic to publicly identify themselves with
either party Such running with the hare
and holding with the hounds" should be dis
countenanced and discouraged by every good
citizen. Are such men entitled to the conf
dence and support of either party? Surely We
want men-decided men-for Office in times
\ ~ oI
more from motives of policy than principle,
are unworthy to be entrusted with the manage
ment and control of our public affairs. Those
who profess to occupy positions of neutrality
in the campaign expect to do either one of two
things. They expect by such course of pol
icy to deceive both parties and secure their
votes, or else they have made private arrange
ments for securing certain influences, but are
unwilling and think it impolitic to sail under
fair and open colors. In such cases is it not
apparent to every thinking man that the Office,
with its emoluments, and that only, is the thing
which they are after, and that they are willing
to obtain Office under any colors.
! Many are deferred from an active interest in
these things by the conviction that success is
impossible. Why is it impossible? It is true
that the Scott party have charge of the
ballot box, and under the infamous law passed
at the last session of the Legislature, these
Commissioners of Election have the right to
fix the place for voting, receive the votes cast
at different places, then count and destroy them,
their certificates being the evidence of the re-
suit Of the election. It is true that about one
third of the Commissioners of Election were
members of the last Legislature, and most of
them aspirants for reelection to Office. 1t is
true that every effort has been made by the Re-
form party to secure fair and honest count of