The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-03-09
Leslie Charges Home on the Extremists.

COLUMBIA, February 26.-Thc chief
feature of public interest to-day in
the Senate was a speech by Loslic,
in which he took occasion TO say
things in his peculiar style, that
made not q few Of lis colleagues
realize how "uncasy rests the head
that wears the crown" AS you
know, from past experience, he is one
of those impulsive men, who. when
tho old Adam within him is aroused,
minccs neither language nor truth,
aud no matter whore his shafts strike,
whether it be in the heart Of friend
or foe, whether they lay bare the rot
tenness of Radicalism, or reveal the
corruption Of his own fellows, he lets
them fly like porcupine quills, right
and left, from a quiver almost ex-
haustless. When unable to carry his
point by dip-low- macy, he indulgcs in
a reckless species of high.jumphacy,
scizes on the very pillars of his party,
and then if he falls, frolics amid the
ruins which, Sampson like, he has
pulled around him. -,,. ,
This was his achievement to-day.
Cain introduced resolution that the
time of final adjournment should be
extended from the lst to tho 18th of
March, and speech after speech indi-
Gated tho purpose of the Senate to
adopt the same. Leslie, in his oppo-
sition, represented tho Governor, who
is understood to have declared that if
tho Legislature remained here ten
days longer, they would ruin the Re-
publican party and doubtless he was
also stimulated by his own honest
desire to engage in something more
profitable than legislation. He said
to the Senate: .as.
"Here you have been three months,
and spent two hundred thousand dol
lars. And in Gods name what have
we done? You have passed act after
act in behalf of church organizations
and fire companies you have sat here
legislating on the most trivial of mat
ter, and yet have little moreito show
for it than q pile of insignificant
laws and your six dollars q day. Is
there no shame, no honesty, no sense
of justice that can stop you this side
of that point beyond which decency
cannot 90 : What do you propose to
do by staying hero;7 When do you
propose to finish your work ? l know.
It will be when tho last dollar is gone
and the last cent is spent. afs
johnson, of Sumter, (colored.)
Will tho gentleman allow me to ask q
question. '+'.
Leslie. No, sir. I'll allow you to
take your seat, aud keep it.
Jillson., 4 want the gentleman to
understand that Notwithstanding all
he may say, shalt vote just - IL
please. sl+t [
Leslie. IF he likos, he can take his
conscicnoo end chain itso tight that
no whip or lash can move it. He is
like certain animal known in histo-
ry, whose hide is SO thick yol can't
perforate it. ..i.,.
Cain. | suppose you mean rhi-
noceros. fED -.
Leslie. Already this Legislature
stands convicted before the country az
q failure; and in the State of New
York there is not mothers sen oi
you who would not bsffeld TO strict
accountability for every not tydone and
every dollar spent. Yes, in South
Carolina, II you had responsible
constituency, not one Of yoti, would
ever come here again, and / would
say, Anon! In former times che
Geaeral Assembly Of this State ga,
from four to six weeks, aud accom-
plished something. You have sal
here three months have accomplished
nothing; and you are not dono yet,
know whatsit means. Itnmeans mon
ey. 1t means that to keep this won
dGrful body tnpathar fifteen dau