The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-05-19
1 1tyonK Letter from an I1onest and
sxTs ssxT Eareeet etRePabi'oAss
~ UNITED STATEssCoNspnATE,
q NwpIEs Anril q 1871

|:.l, NErLEs. April "a, 1871.
Hon. 4. J. Ro6eftson, United States Senq-
;;S tor, Washington, d. Gss L.
MY DEAR Sir: I am delighted to see
your letter to Generals Kershaw, Butler
and others. The sentiments therein ex.
pressed ] can most heartily endorse, and
were they acted up to by those in autho-
rity in our State generally. I am con-
vinchd our troubles wonld be much less
serious. We need, as you say, Justice
md kindness to all classes; so that none
may feel themselves alien to the. govern
ment."
Your idea. too. Of appealing to the
lenders Of the Democratic party is q
good one; for by proper organization
they cnn contribute immensely TO tho
maintenance of order. Besides, snch
appeals will tend to restore n better feel
| ing between the two parties. which in
itself will be a great gain. But the pre-
servation Of law and order does not. in
my opinion, depend alone, or even
mainly, on the opposite party. Yon we'll
know that the disorders from which our
State is suffering SO terribly are the
natural result of the disgracefully cor
lust three years. To defend such q go.
vice we have witnessed, would be movt
ridiculous. But prominent Republicans
like yourself, who hope to accomplish
some good as 'pnciicators, should
exert yourselves to the utmost to remove
the original causes of the troubles. I
give you full credit for having done
much in this direction. General amnesty
will do more, probably, than any other
one thing to allay hitter feelings; and I
am glad to see that your efforts in its
behalf have been most enrnest. / have
read yours aud Senator Sawyer's 9 remarks
on the amnesty bill with the greatest
pleasure, and am hoping and expecting
to see that DeLarge and Rniney havo
both spoken out unequivocolly on the
same side in the other House.
But the main work is to be done by
Governor Scott and those under him in
South Carolina. I give the Governor
full credit for what he has done since his
reelection. He vetoed several corrupt
bills passed by the Legislature. and
seemed to be earnestly desirous Of pro-
tecting the State treasury. He has dis
banded the partisnn aud lawless militia
in several Of the disturbed Counties.
He should do so everywhere. aud. if ne
cessary, send United States troops in
| shSAh pioCSo. W ~ Atutc Ato W
| be used ut all, let select body of white
men be organized, rs proposed by CO.
vernon Alcorn, of Mississippi, and after
proper trimming be used merely for the
sake of restoring order in disturbed Sec
tions. To Use colored militia will inva-
riably bring about such contest as all
good men must wish to nvoid. Let him
continue to remove corrupt and ineffi-
cient officials, and put in their places
good, peaoeable, law-abiding men, who
are respected In their several communi-
ties. Let this be done, especially in the
cases of Trial Justices and financial
officers. A bad Trial Justice is stand
ing danger in his neighborhood, and the
people will be still more adverse to pay
ing the enormous taxes, seeing them
assessed und collected by corrupt and
worthless men. It il bad enough for
the property holders to witness the taxes
healel up by corrupt Legislature until
they almost amount to confiscation, with.
out being insulted by having them
assessed and collected by men Of the
lowest character.
nm very well aware OF the difficulty
OF the Governors position. He must
not seem to be weak, or he will lose the
respect and support of both parties.
buL ne chn aloTu 10 DO Just. Let him
be as lenient rs possible in the collection
of the taxes; let him be judicious in bis
appointments; and, above all. let him
take D Arm stanG against corruption
wherever it may occur, and believe he
will have the support Of the good men
Of both parties.
Like you, T am desirous Of doing all ]
can to restore order in our State, and,
were not SO far distant, should lose
no opportunity of doing all in my
power. I should regret being absent, il
I could SEQ my way clcar to doing any
good by being at home. But I shall al
ways be delighted to see such efforts as
yours to calm excited feelings and restore
peace and quiet to our unhappy State.
Very truly yours, B. o. DUNCAN.
THE DEMOCRATS AND THE Ku KLuy
COMMITTEE. The correspondent Of the
Baltimore Sun eays: ''The National
Democratic Resident Committee held a
meeting at the capital yesterday, Hon.
Samuel J. Randall, the Chairman, pre-
siding, and discussed the program me for
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