The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-26
The Two Strings to His Bow.

The Two Strings to His Bow.
His E1cellency Governor Scott has held
Office for nearly two years and hall, during
which period his midnight dreams, and wax
ing thoughts, have been occupied with the
sweet toll Of amassing fortune, and COM
passing reelection. A dexterous manipu-
lation OF the General Assembly laid the foun-
dation of his fabric of finance. The bills OF
the Bank of the State, bought at ten cents
on the dollar, were transferred to the State
in exchange for bonds worth nine times as
much. State bonds were picked up for q
song, and the people were taxed to death to
advance their market price, and pay the in
terest in coin. With the State Treasury and
the State Legislature under his thumb, Gov
ernor Scott could operate without risk, and
regulate quotations to suit himself. Napo-
leon, before the mishap at Sedan, did not
speculate at the Bourse with better pros
pect of profit than was enjoyed by Governor
Scott In his vaunted investments in the pub
lie funds of the State. Beginning with an
active capital of twenty dollars, or so, in
small change, Governor Scott now ranks as
minor millionaire.
1t is likely, however, that the desired re-
election will be more difficult OF attainment
than a princely fortune. But in this, as in
money grabbing, Governor Scott has been
consistent. From the very first it has been
clear that he could not be reelected by fair
means, and for two years or more Governor
Scott has cast about for way OF winning
the day by force. The act to suppress in
surrection and rebellion, the act to establish
State police, and the act to organize the
State militia have no other raiSon dstre
than the determination of Governor Scott to
retain, at any hazard, possession OF hegov-
ernment of the State Under these acts con-
stables have been appointed in every county;
and fifteen thousand, or twenty thousand
we know not which-riaes Of improved pat
tern have been placed in the hands OF the
negro soldiery. The whole story was told in
single sentence when Governor Scott, at
Washington, declared that winchester Ri
''fle law was the only law for South Caro-
'Gna."
But even the outrageous misconduct Of
the militia did not provoke the whites to any
deed which could be made to justify the
proclamation OF martial law-the end to
which the Scott Ring are working. The
whites armed themselves as we'll as they
could, and awaited further Developments.
These came soon enough. The Confidential
Circular exposed the atrocious plot to kill q
score of colored men and charge the guilt
upon the Reform party, and the murderous
outbreaks in Barnwell and in Newberry were
evidence enough that the so-called farcical
paper was intended to give the signal for
carnival of blood. No 'dalnnable itera-
'tion," no labored scof or ghastly smile, can
change these facts or impair their tragical
force.
In one respect His Excellency has counted
without his host. The whites, and the con-
seryative colored men, will not kiss the rod
as they might have done twelve months ago.
There are more arms in South Carolina than
are welded by the Ring militia. And this is
why we opine that Governor Scott will find
it easier to accumulate another half million
than to caiole or bully, the honest people OF
the State There was some doubt about it
before; but "a little more Winchester rifle
law, General Scott" will make certain the
triumph OF Reform.