The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-11
From the Aseasa Cronsc,s and Sensinsi.
The Reform Movement In South Carolina.

4Ae heloTm movement lD SOutn CdIVuHas
1t is unpleasant, Mesars. Editors, to read ar
tlcles of criticism upon such men as Kershaw,
Thomas and Butler, who take so prominent q
part in the present political movement in Caro-
lima, without attempting reply to the willful
Misrepresentation and ignorance displayed in
those criticisms. The position taken by the
leaders in the reform movement-whose names
are inseparably connected with the "Lost
Cause"-involves no change of principles, but
las General Kershaw aptly and ably expressed
it) it simply shows that they recognize the late
amendments as accomplished facts" and as
having the full force of law, and as such they
must be submitted to. We have no power to
overthrow the present system in toto, but we
can modify it and purge it of its worst features,
and it is our duty to remedy the evils in what
ever way we can, honorably. No true Carolin-
ian recognizes justice in the measures, nor in
the present order of things forced upon their
State; but believing it useless to attempt what
reason and judgement declare utterly impracti-
cable and impossible, they are anxious to en-
deavor to modify the evil in the best possible
manner. They are honest in the belief that
the reform movement alone could accomplish
anything
That movement only recognizes the facts as
they are, and means nothing whatever in the
way of an endorsement of the manner in which
the measures have been brought about.
Without Offering the shadow of support or
approval to the way or means employed by
Congress in making things rs they are, Ker-
shaw and others have attempted to grasp the
stubborn facts which surround them, and wrest
from them all the evil possible. 1t is their
honest purpose to remove all the evil from the
old Palmetto State which lay in their power,
and overthrow the Scott faction as first step
in the process.
They attempt to place men in power who
would not transcend the limits of power, which
is already too broad, and who would at least
confne themselves to the rightful exercise of
those powers as conferred upon the various
Offices.
The only argument urged against the mode
by which the political leaders in Carolina are
making an attempt to secure more honest
system of government worthy of any considera-
ton or bearing single mark of honesty, is that
the Democrats should have met as Democrats
and requested the Conservative Republicans of
both races to meet separately, and resolve to
unite in the overthrow of Radicalism. The
impracticability of this is mansfest In the first
place, how could perfect unity be secured 2 and,
in the second place, the negroes who were con-
servative in principle, aDouLd not haze dared to
meet except in direct connection with the
|
except in the event of full recognition of their
rights, as secured by the laws of Congress.
| Iu Georgia, the whole case would be different.
Let it be remembered that the Democratic par
ty can carry Georgia by about 10000 majority,
while in Carolina the whites are hopelessly in
the minority. If the present system of gov
ernment is to continue in South Carolina it will
become hopeless and helpless ruin. With
principles unchanged, the political leaders in
the reform movement, therefore, call upon all,
both black and white, to extenda helping hand
in rescuiDg the threatened ruin of the Com
monwealth.
1t is true that concessions have been made
to the colored race but those concessions in.
volved no more than that which the colored
race already possessed; and although those
concessions were made In good faith, stli! the
great motive prompting them was the desire to
lesson the disease which is gnawing the vitals
| of the State, and to impose some check to pre-
vent rapid rush Of fraud, plunder and certain
destruction.
Without rejecting at all upon the the philos-
ophy of Mr. Stephens, we would say that main
tanning mastery inactivity" has been tried
for four years. The result the world knows
The people of Carolina have endured, but their
endurance brought but little sympathy and no
relief. In their Judgment endurance has long
since ceased to be virtue, and in this expert
ence injury has been heaped upon injury, by
those in power TO such degree that they have
been goaded almost to desperation. In view of
this trying reality, is it becoming in men of
sister States to criticise the acts and motives OF
Carolinians?
To-day, Kershaw's honor is as bright and un-
tarnished as when he sheathed his sword. No
personal motive induces him to adopt the course
which he now takes and, let others say what
they may, every portion of Carolina sends up
an unbroken voice of approval to her respected
son. Nor is it otherwise with Thomas. Cen.
Thomas was instigated by no selfish motive
when he spoke in support Of the platform OF
the reform party. Buffers name is the syn
onym of bright honor and fearless candor and
integrity. Gen. Butler authorized Gen. Ker-
shaw to stale to tie Convention that be labored
under disabilities which might prevent his as
suming an Office if elected Notwithstanding
this the Convention was unanimous in favor OF
Bntler. At the time of his nomination, colorcd
names were presented for the position OF Lieu
tenant Governor, but the parties whose names
were offered withdrew, and seconded the noml-
nation of Butler. Having been present during
the whole session of the Convention, we were
favored with every facility for observing TIE
spirit which characterized each lndlvldual
member, and know that every effort sprang
from the best judgment of the truest sons o. OF
the State and the South. Let the result De
what it may, these men have done all 1na' tr, .ney
that the entire South will view their efforts with
'' respect bearing some proportion to the enthu-
siastic support of oil the true citizens OF the
Palmetto State y. d. L.
DrNos1AcAL CR1ME-A father and three
| children were lately poisoned and killed near
Somervlle, Miss, under the following circum-
stances: Some two or three years ago quiet,
| nancaahle man hv the name of Harrison Bal