The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-10-06

A Redeemed and Regenerated South Carolina.

A Redeemed and Regenerated South Carolina.
For several months past the people have been
engaged in discussion as to their future pollt-
ical condition. That discussion is about draw
ing to close. In three weeks the ballot Will
have decided what has been heretofore mat
ter of argument. These weeks will pass swift
ly, and then the rule of the State, with all its
financial interests, involving the fate and hap
piness of our whole people for two years, will
have been decided beyond recall. Then it will
be too late for argument, and in vain for re-
monstrance. It will be impossible then to rem
edy mistakes, or to wish for greater energy, and
more determined purpose. The ballot will
have adjudged with even more potency and
force than the sword.
Upon the action of the next three weeks de-
pends events and results momentous for either
the prosperity or the adversely of the State. The
stake at issue, is no less than the redemption or
the degradation of our beloved Commonwealth.
1t is whether South Carolina shall rise regen-
Grated, disenthralled and free from the ashes
of the past or whether she shall continue un-
der Government disowned at home and dis
honored abroad-a Government which has
treated the State and people of South Carolina
as mere spoils of war, which in no way repre-
sents the sentiments or the interests of its peo-
sion, peculation and wrong.
Such Government is one, therefore, which
affects no particular individual or class in the
community. 1t comes home to all-fOr it con-
Germs ALL 1t is no more damaging and destruc-
tive to one section of the State, or to one por-
tion of its people, than it is to every section,
every class, and every portion. 1t IS IN viola
ton of all right 1t has placed in power men
without character, without reputation, and
without shame 1t has speculated upon the
public treasury, for private ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and personal emolument. 1t has elevated to
office those whose hands are covered with
bribes and who have openly prostituted their
official positions. 1t has oppressed the people
with taxation so oppressive and unnecessary
as to drive away capital, retard industry, and
embarrass all efforts for the advancement of
the State. There is not man of intelligence
in the State but knows and realizes the misery
and the oppression of the rule, which, under
the name of Free Government, has, during the
past two wears, crushed to the earth the real
voice of the State, and inflicted a Government,
to which that of the most despotic of rulers, is,
in many respects, blessing. Nor Is this IN
any degree the less oppressive, because it has
seized to its own use the forms of law.
1t is against such Government that the peo-
pie of South Carolina are called upon to enter
an earnest protest. Nay, more, it is such a
Government which the people ofSouth Carolina
have in their power to overthrow. And this
not by force, but by the ballot. In time of war,
what would be thought of the desire of that
people for liberty, for themselves and their pos
terity, who, when the appeatsHas to arms,
should stack their arms and permit few only
to use the bullet for the common defence? 1t
is true, we are not now engaged in battle,
: l. L. nfn
the keen rattle of musketry. But the battle is
as immiuent and as important. 1t involves as
vital issues, to the liberties, the rights, and the
hopes of ali who desire q free and honest gov
eminent, as were ever at stake in any period of
n peoples history. And the only hope i'll these
issues. is in the ballot-it is in the vote and
personal influence of every man who feels the
dangers which imperil the State, and the ne
cessitv of Government Of at least some degree
of liberty and right.
The issues are far above all mere questions
of party rule or name. They are of far higher
inheritance. They concern the welfare OF all
classes in the State. There is not an element
of freedom. or of industry, or OF any depart
ment of life, which is not directly interested.
And now, to-day, the appeal comes to the whole
people of the Commonwealth, not in behalf OF
others, but for their own cause and State. The
opportunity of redemption IS offered. Inc oc-
casion of better government is afforded. We
have, at least, the right of the ballot left. Ii
our people but rise to the height and the I'M
portance of the present-ln other words, II ev-
cry man who is in favor OF his State and her
redemption, will see to it that his energies are
so directed. and his suffrage SO cast; then the
Glad tidings will re-echo from mountain to sea-
board, "South Carolina is redeemed from the
alien and the oppressor;; .ce haze get land in
,chich uc can hce and vhich ace may transmit,
acithout shame, to o1r posterity"
At any rate, and under all circumstances, we
shall, at least, then have the proud satisfaction
ofhaving been true to our State and to ourselves.
Then, whatever befalls, we will have the con-
sciousness of having been faithful to the cause
of truth, of right and of humanity. Men OF
South Carolina upon your action depends your
destiny.-Charleston Courier.