The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-22
COLUMBI IS. G.
Friday Morning. april %, 1870.
The Reviewer RevIewed---The Press
Confcrcn6s.-Nos. 8 md @.

the Reviewer of the Press Conference
Resolutions. The author having OBJ
jected to the general line Of political ac-
ton indicatedIin the resolutions of the
Press Conference, feels himself con-
strained, in these concluding articles, to
suggest substitute. And what is this?
It is political. inactiuity and intellectual
and physical development. The author
of the Reviewsays: "Let education, agri-
culture, mechanics and commerce be our
only politics." Now, that these are per-
force our main reliance and most avail.
able instrument. we admit But we do
not believe in the Reviewers doctrine of
''masterly, inactivity." The necessities
OF oul situation, the duty which we owe
to ourselves, demands constant, steady
and persistent efFcrt in behalf of political
improvement and reform. Even should
our energetic efforts fail Of complete sue
cess, anable, sagacious. resolute mi
nority can effect much good, and it is
our duty to hold fast to the principles we
~espouse,, and by perseverance, in well
doing to win at last the triumph we
seek. To give up the political field in
South Carolina and the South, wonld be,
according to. our view, utter folly. It
would result in ruin. There is no ''prin-
oiple" in this programme, and we can
see1no heroism in this passive ''endu-
rance" IF, therefore, the conclusion
reached by the reviewer is the logical re-
suit of the propositions he seeks to es-
tablish, then we hold that that conclusion
is the best refutation of those proposi-
tions. In one of Victor Hugo's great
productions. he represents his hero as
calmly resolute upon self-destruction.
He places himself in view of his receding
hopes; he seats himself upon rock that
rose above the circling water; he quietly
folds his hands and majestically allows
the rising waves to quench his life This
may be very sublime. It is certainly
dramatic. But not thus do we think that
we are called upon "to accept the situa-
tion."
We have thus in concise way consi-
dered the objections made to the PROPOSE
tions of the Press Conference. These
objections, in our opinion, it was proper
to review. We hold that the Press Con-
ference, in putting forth its propositions,
have suggested Easis of political action
such as "the situation" demands, and
such, too, as will commend itself to the
Judgment of unprejudiced men, MS just
aud proper. And we here express our
entire dissent from that policy of passive
endurance which the author of the Re-
view advocates. The Dis inertin is
property of matter, and the ris medica-
trin nature is silent influence that
steadily works on; but in the department
Of MIND the decree of God has so cstab-
lished the order of things, that ut all
times the power that avails man is the
power that seeks TO better his condition
by the employment of God-approved
means. Nor should it ever be forgotten,
that even virtuous effort is n success.
The author Of the Review closes his re-
view by giving dream or vision and
the Interpretation thereof; but in these
progressive times no dreamer can keep
pace with the moving columns OF events.
We must be sup and doing" still achiev-
ing, still pursuing, and give what direc-
tion We can to the waves that bear us on.
ORIGIN OF THE KU KLUx-A word
about the Ku Klux. There is no such
order now in existence. Those claim to
represent it arc simply bandits. The
genuine Ku Klnx never existed outside
of Tennessee. and existed there only to
limited extent and for brief period.
The Government had withdrawn its pro-
lection from the people Brownlow had
organized a troop OF rowing militia, com
posed chiefly Of negroes. and olficercl by
convicts whom he had pardoned out of
the State prison for the purpose. Women
and children were being murdered every
day and night in cold blood. No home
was secure. No life was SAFE The courts
were closed against the people. Tho few
laws that were allowed to remain on the
statute books were denied them The