The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-31
The Tug of War

Citizens Of Charleston /! Upon your be-
havior, during these pregnant days, depend
your personal welfare and public security.
This is the tide in your ah&irs You must
| take it at the food. Unless you now strike
home, there is no redemption for Charles
ton, until, in the course Of decades, South
Carolina Radicalism shall become liberal,
Intelligent and pure.
The enemy are uneasy and depressed.
Their candidates do not, and cannot, COM
mand the united support OF the party.
But, with uniailing courage, they will
struggle on. to the end. The Radical
leaders are not sanguine, but. they do not
despair. In this city they will resort to
every dodge known to the unscrupulous
politician. Their runners are at work out
side the corporate limits, and will attempt
to flood Charleston with country negroes.
The videttes have already arrived, and will
present themselves for registration to-day.
All the power which their control over the
State Government gives them will be used
by the Pillsbury crew to carry this eventful
election. The situation is surrounded with
difficulties. These, however, the CCuserya-
tives can overcome.
Citizens of Charleston! So far you have
done we'll, but the tug Of war is at hand.
To-day and tomorrow, desperate effort
will be made to register the repeaters, and
the plantation raiders, who are hired by
Radical officials to vote down the merchants
and mechanics OF Charleston. This danger
must be met squarely. Assemble by the
hundred at the polling precincts. Watch
every newcomer found prowling about the
streets. Keep your eye on every man who
offers to register. Challenge all suspicious
characters When your challenge is over
ruled. seek ut-tha- place of rcsidonos of the
would.be voter. ascertain whether his sworn
statements are correct, and il he has per-
jured himself, make an affidavit Of the facts,
and require, as you have the right to do, his
immediate arrest. Do rot depend on the
ward working committees. They are not
large enough; this was proved on Saturday.
Give up three days to Charleston and to
yourselves. Rally around the precincts,
and, that there may be concert of action,
report for orders and instructions to the
chairmen of wards, or their delegates,
whom you will find where work is most hard
and the danger great. This is the pro-
gramme for to-day and tomorrow. On
Wednesday every Conservative citizen, who
is not incapacitated by age or disease, should
be at the polls in his ward from the time
that the balloting begins until it finally
closes. Nor hunger nor thirst should tempt
the good citizen from his post. You endur-
ed and suffered during years of war, to
meet defeat at last. Be diligent and deter
mined for three days, and the battle with
corruption is won. Count the cost Of defeat,
and you will spare no pains to succeed
This, above all, bear ever in mind. With
no illegal voting, on Wednesday, you must
triumph. But any want Of vigilance, in al
lowing a swarm of James Island and Berke-
ley negroes to register, may lead to
your overthrow. And defeat now by
an irruption OF illegal voters from the par
ishes means the breaking up Of the Con-
servative party, and the lasting predomi-
nance Of the Pilsburys, the Mackeys and
the Gains, who would make your city
desert and your Council Chamber q den OF
thieves.
Citizens of Charleston Think Of the is
sues which these few days decide. Remem-
Der the momentous interests which are at
stake. Be earnest, be patient, he brave
Buckle on your armor, not to be taken of
until the Radical hydra is groveiling in the
dust-until the wine OF victory fushes your
cheeks, and tells you that the strife, this
time, has not been in vain !
TINE IS SHORT. REGISTER TO DAY.