The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-03-29
Tho ssate-Bad Management and tho
Results.


Results.
Since the close Of the war, opr State
has not been in "a position 80 critical as
the present. It would be we'll IL every
citizen would take cool, clear and COM
prehensive view of our political status.
and look matters rs they really are
squarely in the face. Every man, who
has any hope for tho future of South
Carolina, should meet calmly and fear-
lessly the duties and responsibilities of
the present hour.
There are two powers or parties which
now divide the State and shake it to the
very centre. One is the extreme wing
Of the Radical party, represented by
Crews and his match box confederates.
BY some they are called house burners.
The other power that is now felt in GER
tain quarters is what Ju,lge Munro styles
''thut mysterious baud of liwless men.
These two powers now confront each
other. One or the other must eventually
go under, for they will never affiliate.
You might as we'll try to mix oil and
water. as to harmonize these two politi-
cal powers. Just behold them as they
really stand to-day.
People have laughed at the represen.
tative men of the r ,iical party: they
have laughed ut their color, their igno.
rance, their total and absolute unfituess
for public office; they have been styled
the ''menagerie, ''the nigger show"
"the perfume shop" and in oil this ridi-
cule the people have lost sight of the
fact that this is an actual, law making,
controlling power of the State. They
thought the Legislature was good thing
to laugh at, and very good to draw six
dollars per day. But these men have
made laws. they have increased the pub
lie debt, they have doubled the tax, they
have bought railroads, they have arrayed
the negro race against the whites, they
have distributed arms and ammunition,
they have openly sold their votes in the
Legislature, they have failed to recog-
nize anything like honesty in their pub
lic proceedings, they have done every
thing which cunning could devise or
bribery effect. We do not affirm this of
plies especially to the match box wing
his kind. Thus that power stands to-
day. They care not for the State 80 they
put money in their purses; they care not
them once every two yenrs.
But, arrayed against this party, comes
"that mysterious band of lawless men. F."
About the first of last October, they ap-
peared, in the Eastern part of Spartan
burg County. They did come work in
that section. They talked but little.
When they went out on one of their law
less raids, silence seemed to be stand
ing order, The band increased. or
became more disseminated. Soon, they
rode into Union County. They brought
death In their train. They came to
Union again and again, aud now Union
is under their control. They next as
sailed York, and York yields to their
power. And the wave, though small at
first, is increasing. 1t is rolling South
ward. Barriers may be in the way; but,
when it does break over, terrible will be
its fury. What this power Can be aim
ing at. we can Judge only from results,
some Of which are these: they have
killed men, white rs we'll as black; they
have made charges on some of the pub
lie Offices; they order incompetent men
to resign; they never steal money nor
other property; they never insult women
nor frighten children. But they are u
silent band. Their plan are unknown
their ultimate objects not mentioned.
THUS these two powers stand arrayed
against each other; each strong in it's
way; each fully bent on the accomplish
ment of certain objects and schemes.
Let the firm conservative men of all
political parties think over these matters
earnestly; lot them, in their wisdom,
devise somo plan to save us from the
shameful and disgraceful conduct of our
legl ,lators, and from the lawless doings
of the other party. So long rs the fret
is in power, the other is inevitable.
UNION COUNTY. HAMLET.
RICHMOND AND THE SOUTH. Letters
from the Sonth-from the Virginia line
rs far us Columbia-speuk in congratu-