The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-31
The Hon. B. Odcll Duncan ON the Re-
form Movement.

| Is. n. hlUhDAS
The Hon. B. Odcll Duncan ON the Re-
form Movement.
The ignorance and knavery which, in apt
combination, have made our State gov
ernment, in the words of The Nation,
"a disgrace to civilization are not laid at
the doors OF the masses of the colored peo-
pie, who, up to this time, have been the ribs
and backbone OF South Carolin Republican
ism. Apathy on the part Of the whites,
and inexperience and imperfect knowledge
on the part OF the blacks, enabled Ring
of cunning politicians to seize upon and
control the offices and the Legislature OF
the State. This Ring it is which is re-
sponsibIe for the frauds, and extravagances,
which have paralyz ii our energies, and re-
tarded our progress; this Ring it is which
has caused the State, as The Nation declares,
and we know, "to lie almost completely at
60 the mercy of the black and white corrup-
" tionists who have been plundering it for
some years past" And we have always
believed that, where intelligence and honesty
are united in the same men, an indignant
protest would, sooner or later, be uttered
against the myriad villaniaS which oppress
our people
The Nation, the leading Republican jour
nal of the country, was the first paper out
side OF the State to urge Democrats and
Republicans, especially Republicans, to
"pray with fervor for the rescue OF South
Carolina from her present rulers" This
was followed by similar, though less hearty,
exhortations from other New York Republi-
can papers, and we may confidently say that
the South Carolina Reform movement has
this day the firm, if silent, support OF every
pure and able member of the State Republi-
can party.
No evidence on this point can be more
conclusive than the manly declarations OF the
Hon. B. Odell Duncan, contained in his letter
from Naples, printed in our issue of yester-
day. Mr. Duncan is one of the very few
respectable South Carolnians who joined
the Republican party in the early days of
reconstruction. No one has impeached the
purity of his motives or the integrity OF his
character. AS United States consul at Ma
ples, he has confirmed the high opinion al
ready entertained OF his courtesy and cul-
ture. His Republcanismi above suspicion.
But, as an honest man, deeply interested in
the result of the coming contest in his ma
tive State lie is forced to arraign the Radi-
cal Ring at the bar of public opinion. Now
and then he saw ray of hope; but, he says,
1.-THE general character OF our Legisa-
ture and of the legislation in Columbia during
the winter has certainly not been such rs TO
| inspire me with confidence in the wisdom, pa
| triOtism or even ordinary honesty OF those ut
present controlling the Slate Government and
the Radical party IN South Carolina: Inelr men,
action has been such that do not see lohdt
reason anu class Of our people can hare for
sustaining them."
Property-holders, he continues, who are
not office holders may properly complain OF
the heavy expenditures that are made. But,
"Our good Governor, for instance, and some
OF the other State officials, will not complain OF
their taxes while they have such control OF
the Legislature as to be able to make or un-
make the market for State or railroad bonds
at pleasure, and thus gain many times orer
the amount Of their tares."
This is not all Mr.. Duncan, with justice,
charges that the Scott Legislature has done
nothing to alleviate the condition of the Ia
boring classes. lie says:
Tour legislators seem to have been too igno-
rant To know that when the industry and pros
perity of country is disturbed, ii is always
| tho poorer classes who suffer most Their ac-
ton has generally been such MS 10 prevent u
return to state of peace and quiet, ana TO
f, foment the bitter feelings hitherto existing.
This course may prove beneficial to certain
corrupt dcmagogue politicians, who can hope
to remain above the surface only in times OF
excitement, but it will certainly prove most
calamtous to orr poorer classes, whom thcy
pretend specially to represent"
The whole record is before him, and he
fearlessly says:
"The Radical party in South Carolina has
| clearly shown that, with its present organlIa-
| ton and leaders, 1t does not govern for the
good of the people and the general prosperity
Of the State. Then 1t should be abandoned: or
rely radically changed.
Mr.. Duncan sees at once the evil and the
remedy. Regretting that the State govern
ment should have fallen into such hands as
they have, he declares that no one, than
himself 'would more heartily unite with
"any honest effort to rescue both our party
and our State government from the
clutches of those who now control them. !"
Such an "honest effort is the Reform
movement. Mr.. Duncan, were he nearer
home would be convinced already OF its
straightforwardness and sincerity. To its