The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-19
RECONSTRUCTION.

RECONSTRUCTION.
There are few topics which address them
selves SO forcibly to the minds Of thinking
men everywhere as those which have g
bearing upon the reconstruction OF the lately
rebelious states. When we reflect that these
by the people OF the states; that they were
imposed upon them against their earnest
protest and wishes: aud that the machinery
which directs and controls them is wholly in
the hands OF men who have no interests
which are not circumsoribed by desire for
ssif.s ggrsudzimeGt we cannot wonder that
these have been no less Pernicious in prac-
tice than they are unlawful in theory.
10 the history of our country no state
perhaps, stands outrmore prominently than
South Carolina. In the bitter controversies
Of the last fifty years she has ever been in
the van. She gave birth to the doctrine of
nul!ihcs,ion and in measure founded the
principles upon which the confederate gov
eminent had it's origin. The author and
chief apostle of these doctrines, who By his
fervid eioquenca and the subtlety of his
dleiecucs became one OF the greatest reason
ers and iogicisns of the country, was e
South CaroIInian.
But if this state greatly erred she has met
with vastly more than re,r:butive Justice.
Ii the measure OF her infquity WAS great the
IL ustice she has received has been immess.
urebly greater. To no other one of the
erring states has such en- oppressive policy
been melted out. The new gov
eminent is intrusted to adventurers and
and pIunderers, whose sole aim is public
pIdnder. Irresponsible carpet baggers rule,
and the intelligent whites of the south are
compelled to submit. For al this misru!e
and oppression for all these efforts TO
degrade the American race end elevate the
black race to position which the divine
economy never intended ne should occupy,
We arraigu the radical party.
II anything further were wanting to fix
the reconstruction measures now in vogue,
II would only be necessary to revert to the
trIum phant reelection OF that VIGOROUSLY
venal and corrupt cadet broker, Whittemore
The venality and degradation Of this scamp
was too much for q radical congress- But
how. in the name OF all that is high and
noble in the genius of our government and
institutions, can we contemplate the fitness
OF such constituencies fer their political
duties without shudder. Is it any wonder
that men who were instrumental q return
ing Whi:temore to the position he has 50
lately disgraced and from which his own
party expelled him. are found daily robbing
the government, and loadip the people
with taxes so enormous as to burden the
state for generations to come?
Let us see how the matter stands:
Salaries.-l8G7, $4,000; 1870, $l67,-
500. Legislative expenses - 1867, S43. 900
1870, Sl44,790. Extraordinary erpenSes-
1867, ---; 1870, 1925 zoo.
These are only a few items from official
sources, showing clearly the injustice and
suffering which the people of this state
must endure. In many OF the counties
the county Offices and county funds are held
by irresponsible and VIGOROUSLY corrupt
persona. Add 10 this that votes OF mem
beers Of the legislature are bought and sold
as merchandise, that pubic officers prosti
tu!e their positions to the purpose Of specu-
lstiop that so stupeudous & fraud il Derpa.
trated az that whereby the LAND commission.
aided by the advisory board, of which the
governor of the state is the official head.
acquired 800, 900 of the public money in -
single transaction and more that none of
this band have been brought to answer for
the enormous crime
Consider all these acts OF merciless ont
rage perpeTated consider the yoke of
bondage which rests upon the white freemen
OIL the south; view in the white light of
reason thu various acts and measures OF the
for'y hFst Congress, every one of which has
oeen prompted by viudictive hatred toward
the South, and has had for tia and .;,, and
purpose the elevation Of four millions of
blacks, and the placing of CALLING vota
upon the necks of the Anglo Saxon raca
and say where in the records of iadioni,;ss
offered conquered people can the parallel
to this be found.
Thsre is but one feasible means for ob-;.
ating this difficult. The people-the homes,
yeomanry of the land-must rise in all the
dignity of thair might and with that za,x
better than the bayonet ballot
elect men TO at in the national councils who
will not Arrive to foment mutual hostility,
but with some of that spirit which animated
the founders of this government, will seek to
establish justice and insure the domestic
tranquility of all sections alike.