The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-04-03
s. G.,
Sunday Morning ,,April 8, 1870. Il
Tho Proper At,itade Towards the state
Governments.

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The Proper Atsitade Towards the state
Government.
The attitude we, hold towards the State
government is thehttitude, we believe, Of
nine>tenths Of the intelligent and un-
prejudiced people of the State. It was
not of our making. Whenever the op-
portunity has occurred, we have pressed
forward and deposited our ballot against
it. But it is the government Of the State.
and, as such, it has been our duty and
our necessity to regard it as the law to
govern the conduct of the citizens. We
regard it our duty to uphold it when
right, and to criticize it when wrong. AS
a public journalist, we have done this,
and this We shall expect to continue to
do. Let no mansthink that we shall per-
NIT partisan views, or passion, or preiu-
dice. to warp our, views or to influence
our criticisms. If we have had few op-
portunities to commend, and many oc.
casions to condemn official conduct, upon
us the responsibility does not rest. We
earnestly desire speaoe in our borders,
harmony among our people, and gen.
eral prosperity. It would give us plea
sure to be able to- speak we'll of our Of
ficials, and we shall not spare praise
when the chance arises. But it is also
truo that we shall not otspare plain talking
when necessary. It is due to that class
of the people Of this State, now more
or less ignored, and ostraoized, and mis-
represented, that we do not allow their
rights and feelings to be disregarded
without, at least. earnest protest and just
vindication. But, allow US to ask, who
are the disturbers of the public peace?
Look to recent illustration. A body of
earnest Journalists meet at the capital of
the State, and put forth an honest de-
claration of opinions, calculated to pro-
duce good will in the State. And the
entire press of Che State, with singular
unnnimity, echo. these sentiments of con-
ciliation-sentiments designed and, if
properly accepted, calculated to bring
together in amity the different races in
South Carolina The olive branch has
been held out. The plea for peace has
been made. What has been the response?
The Charleston organ of the ruling party
laughs at and SCOTS the propositions of
the conference. The Missionary Record,
edited by colored man, sees naught
but trickery in the resolutions of con-
oil; AID 70 ~,
comes down to.us from Washington, and
it is the voice Of the Chief Magistrate Of
South Carolina, and it says "the Win
chester rifle is the best law" Who will
doubt as to where the responsibility for
discord, and consequent impairment of
natural progress, rests? It rests with
the politicians of the dominant party,
and with some of the officials. Caring
nought for the prosperity of South Caro-
lima, it is to their interest to retain
power, and hence they keep the waters
agitated. AS we have before said, we
want in South Carolina internal peace,
public tranquility, and material progress.
Can we get these, under the present cir
cumstances? If not, and we believe not,
then let the people respond to the anti
radical programme. Let second great
effort be made to restore to South Caro-
lima an honest and economical State
government, whereby we may harm onize,
secure the blessings of security and sta
bility, and lead the public mind and the
public energies to educational and ma
terial development.
The Views Of Judge Orr.