The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-11-15

priately called the Union, since it we'll
represents the three combined classes OF
carpet baggers,. native renegades and
the unreasonable negroes-has sought
again and again to fasten upon the lend.
ing white men of this State and the
Democratic press, the responsibility for
the disorder and violence that have, to a
certain extent, prevailed here and there
in the up-country. We have already
demonstrated how utterly unfounded are
the Union's points on this subject. Not
only hos it grossly exaggerated the acts
that have occurred, and invented some,
and misrepresented others. and failed to
correct its statements when disproved; !;
it has further studiously sought to shift
the responsibility from the shoulders
where it rests, to put it on the heads of
the victims themselves. The Union and
its corrupt party associates have advo.
Gated the policy Of depriving class OF
our people of their inherited and blood
bought rights, and then they turn around
and complain bitterly of the fact that
these ostracised men do not exert the
influence that they should in behalf of
law and order. Such men are not good
enough to hold offioe-being s'rebels;"
but they are deemed good enough to
save swindlers and incendiaries from the
swift vengeance OF Lynch lawl No-as
we have before said-we have ever op-
posed all secret political organizations
whatever; but we do affirm most de-
cidedly, that what there has been or may
be of this alleged Ku Kluxism-about
which we know as little as Grant, out
side Of its philosophy to be attribut-
ed to the State regime and the Loyal
Leaguers. When the Loyal Leaguers
were scattered all through the up
country; when Scott formed his negro
militia. and issued his Winchester rifles,
with ball cartridges; when State officers
commenced to steal. aud County officers
followed suit; when Scott pardoncd
and sent forth his penitentiary pets;
when the Land Commissioner began to
swindlc; when the Legislature became q
corrupt mass. with q redeeming minority
Qnly-when mis-rule, proaigacy. fraud
and corruption made tho State Govern
ment disgrace to civilization. and
brought it into utter contempt-the it
WAS that the seeds of whatever there is
or was of Ku Kluxism, were sowed.
We regretted to believe that there were
local organizations in some parts of the
State. We knew that the tree Of Lynch
law sometimes boro good fruit; but We
knew also that it would bear evil frnit.
For one. we were not willing to accept
the good in view Of the evils to follow.
Whilst, however, we must condemn
secret organizations, for disciplinary
purposes, and must ever advocate in
these times policy that will commend
itself alike to God and the civilized
world, yet we repeat it. that tho cause
of the up-country troubles is in the State
regime It follows, then, that if the
Union was fulfilling the functions Of USE
full and honest journalism, it would not
COdhd0 4to0l1 " douuuClhtlOuS VI Au
Kluxism. And yet it does. It is terri
BILE on the terrible Ku Klux, but it is
sweet on the corrupt State officials.
Little has it to say about tho public
swiDdling, the corruptions and fraud
carried on all around it, It is ready to
bolster up corrupt regime. to conceal,
to excuse, to palliate, to white-wash, to
cover up, to move off from the point.
But we shall keep it to the point, and to
an intelligent public we shall expose its
cunning, it's petty arts, its numerous
tricks. ind it's false pretensions. We
shall show it as we believe it to- be, an
enemy in the Columbia camp, a foe to
all the true interests of the people.
FIRE.-Between 6 and O'Clock last
evening, the cry of fire resounded on