The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-16
ArFA1ns IN DARLINGTON.
p,o,n.e.s OF the Union Reform Party
The Rasoalities OF the Ring.
rpRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT


DARLINGTON, August, 1870.
wa breathe little more freely in this OPP
pressed county. It does really seem .ha' sH'
dawn of better day slowly rises. Ihat un-
happy conjuncture Of unfortunate c','unt
otoncac and evil influences, which placed, and
for an LONG a time has kept, the people OF this
nonntr-colored as well as white-in the mer-
c,less mowers of "the meanest Of mankind"
has spent it's force, and healthy influences and
right feelings now struggle hopefully for their
ancient and legitimate control. 1t Is not I'M
possible that the county will be carried for the
Union Reform party in the approaching cleo
tions-certainly it will give Carpenter and but,
Ter a handsome vote. The very pest Iocai
weapons for the contest are IN 1e nSaas The sU Oi
bonded power OF Whittemore and the large
sRepublican majority inspired the scounarels
who had oot into Office with reckless conn-
dence that prepared for them their downIaI.'
they threw the reins on the neck OF their Gu
piiity, and they covered their rascahty with
: the Tery thinnest Of disguises. Their exposure
has, consequently, been easy and oVerWhel-
ming. ..
unscrupulous villany Of the: county commls-
sion was 30 complete that not even the worst
OF their party have had the "cheek" to defend
them. Interviewing the history Of their trans
actions as board, the difficulty was to find a
single act that had been performed decently
and honestly. The conduct Of Lunny. the
county senator, in buying, as agent OF tne
land commission, body OF land ior some
thing over $4,000, and then selling It 70 y; +.
Leslie, as his own, for over sll,0Oo, u mas
been found impossible even TO palnate oeiore
ReSides tno the power of the notorious
Whittemore has at last been broken. InlS
man had acquired control over tne c0lorea
people Of this section more compieee anu n,.a Ma
versal than that of an absolute monarch. Ihey
thought him Omnipotent, and looked up 70
him ss something more than man. He said he
could do whatever he wished, snd tney pc
7lieyed him. He was feared as well as loved.
1t was thought ''uncanny" and dangerous ito
say q word against him. His eIecuon rom
Congress was rude and unexpected shock 10
the faith Of his followers, but they received nus
explanations and stood by him. When, now
ever. the representatives ofthe whole people
of these United States again drove him with
contsmpt from their hall, the spell was broken,
sanii: the idol fell from It's pedestal. 1t Is un-
derstood that he now declines renominatlon
for Congress, and it Is not believed that tears OF
an indictment, alone dictated this wltnaiawal;
become evident that he could NOT secure tne
nomination. The talk is, now, that he asks tor
the position of county senator, and may fail In
getting even that. Last Saturday Radical
county convention was held at Darlington
the comfy offices. The day was spent In q
1 fierce der wrangle. Whittemore was reminded to
his lace. of his disgrace. Coloretl men boldly
declared themselves resolved to have honest
men % In Office, and the ring oflow fellows with
sWhittemore at Its head, who have hitherto
ruled the county, became az asi NJ tbs,
Without fisking vote on q single nomination,
an adjournment to day In nexs month was
cf The Reform party is at work organizing;
The signs are encouraging. The whites are
throwing Of despair and apatea anu aann1u abs bsya
declared themselves with ns. Oar prospects
): brighten daily. The campaigning party will
fbe here on the 5th Of next month. and we ex-
pect much from the speeches Of chat dag.