The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-02-16
From the Charleston Courier.
The State Of Affairs in South Caro-

At times we are almost tempted to
despair of any relief from the extrava-
CANT and ruinous system of legislation
with which the State is burdened, and
the people oppressed. There seems no
limit to the widest expenditure and
the most open misappropriation. While
every regard for the public welfare de-
mands economy and retrenchment, the
warnings Of the past seem powerless,
and the public funds are dispensed with
freedom as if the soil of the State
was vast and inexhaustible treasury,
or as if these expenditures were never
to be met out of the labor and pockets
of the people.
There is but one obstacle to the
cause of peace and prosperity, and that
is in the character of the majority Of
those who control the legislation of the
State. They look upon this Common
wealth simply as the legitimate subject
of prey. They have no higher purpose
than their own agsrandizement, it is
immaterial how effected. Acknowl-
edging no responsibility to public opin-
ion, they are utterly indifferent to the
public judgment. They appear to have
no other care than how to enrich them
selves at tho public expense. These,
in mo wise, represent the people of
South Carolina. If they did, they
would desire to advance her interests,
and promote her welfare. Their whole
course has developed two facts-ono Of
bitterness to Misrepresentation Of its
people; the other Of considering the
treasury, which is but the toll and hard
earned taxes of the people, as created as
special fund for their exclusive bene-
fit.
tt is this class who are well aware
that with rightful power their mission
of misrule is gone, who are ever clamer-
Gus for national aid, and who fill the
ear of public opinion with all sorts of
outrages, as alleged to be committed at
the South. This is part Of the po-
litical machinery necessary in the au-
dience of a crcdulous North to enable
them to retain their rule over the down
trodden Commonwcalths and people
of the South. Their record is one of
misrepresentation, of The deprivation of
rights, of high taxation, lavish expen-
diture. and an entire disregard Of all
accountability. The State of South
Carolina staggers under mis-govern
mcnt. And amid the darkuess that
prevails, there is scarce break in the
clouds to reveal the sun Of day, as still
shining behind its gloom, and ready
once more to lllume tha State with its
presence.
The fact is, there is scarcely charge
made by the Reform party, in the
recent canvass. as to the wide spread
corruption and incompetency which
prevails, which is not being daily veri.
fed. What was then prophecy, is now
history. The frauds in the recent elec-
tions have developed to an extent and
certainty which has startled the State.
EEsssronths the Unitca Suites Court.
has been busily engaged in hearing and
determining the cases brought before
it. Th,se, in many instances, showed
80 utter a violation of the elective fran
clise, so wan;on disregard of the
rights Of voters, so manifest an altering
of the votes, aud perversion of the pub
lie will, as, In the large majority Of
cases, to have made the recent ballot
farce and ,nockery, and to have de-
privcd the people Of any real expires.
sion of their opinion. The Election
Law was Infamous in itself. 1t was
made manifold, more so, by the con-
duct of many of those who were en-
trusted with its manipulation.
Take for instance, again the alleged
troubles in the County of Laurcns. We
have ever believed that these are en-
tirely owing to the course pursued by
Joseph Crews, the alleged Republican
Representative from that county. Du-
ring the late canvas he made the most
exciting harangucs to the colored peo.
pie. The whole tendency of his efforts
and uitcranccs was to array race against
race. The colored militia were armed
in opposition to the white race, until at
last things came to that pass that it was
practically avowed that the white race
had no rights which the colored man
was bound to respect. The houses,
barns and provendcr Of the planters
were fred with the incendiary torch,
until at last, after months of irritation
and oppression it all culninated in its
necessary fruit, a collision, which took
place some time since. The very worm
when t-amplcd upon will turn in agony
under the heel of the opprsssor.-
From a calm review of the facts we
cannot but conclude that but for Mr..
Crews and those of his standpoint
there would have been the most per-
feet peace in the State. There is no
reason why there should not be har'
mony between the races. But this
cannot be, as long as individuals under
the wing of the Republican party are
permitted to stand between, and with
swords of flaming fire, not only to keep
them apart, but fan anew the blaze of
dissension and discord.