The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-04-10
Observation-Disclosures Ransier u'on
Political Situation.

Lieutanant-G Governor Ransier, one OF the
most intelligent native colored men now
holding Office under the State Government,
has printed a series OF articles, in which he
endeavors, with apparent earnestness, to
point out a practicable remedy for the evils
which Cypress the white people OF the State.
1t is his ostensible desire to bring the whites
and blacks together; so that they may feel
that they hare many interests in common,
and may work together for the public good.
He does not believe that the white minority
can obtain, by force, any valuable conces-
sions from the black majority; nor does he
believe that the latter will consent to any
constitutional change which would, by
limiting the suffrage, as in Massachusetts,
deprive the greater number OF their people
of the right to vote. This, we take it, is Mr..
Ransier's general position, and it is due to
him to say that his opinions are, for the
most part; expressed with commendable
moderation. Directness and precision OF
statement are wanting, and there is an
occasional ~fippancy o, expression which is
out OF place in writing upon 80 grave a
subject as the present condition of South
Carolina. But, upon the whole, Mr.. Ran
sier writes with q discreet reserve, which
might be initiated with profit by more than
one OF his white associates in political life.
MIR. Ransier sees in an attempt to block
the wheels Of government by refusing to
pay taxes, and in the effort to limit the sui
frage, nothing more than new causes OF
anger and discomfort. 1t must be remem-
bered, however, that he belongs to the
party in power, and to the temporarily
dominant race, and that he naturally looks
with suspicion and dislike upon any policy
whose inevitable effect, if it could be carried
out, would be to reduce himself and his
colleagues 10 their original insignidcance,
and his race to a voting minority. Nor can
he know, or understand, the feeling OF the
whites. This is painfully evident when he
asks il the people of South Carolina have
lost so much OF Neutrality-suspicious., intelli-
stsence, manhood and Stae PRIDE" that
they wouldbegihs Federal Government to
take charge OF the affairs of the State. OF
independence, we have none; We.ar under
the heel of the exultant negro. The intelli-
gence of the whites is at the mercy OF the
blacks, and only enables the superior race
to feel with keener pain the humiliation OF
their position. Manhood cannot serve US, un-
less in enabling this people to scrape q few
dollars together for the benefit of Mr.. Ran
sier's party. Aud what earthly State pride
can any South Carolinian have in a Common
wealth whose despotic rulers are whites OF
the stamp of Crews and Hurley. and blacks
like Mobleg and Elliott? We confess that
wetdo not prefer the rule OF the bayonet to
the reign OF civil law. But a military occu-
patton; shpplantipg and supersedinS the
present State Government, would give this
whole people justice and peace. 1t would
put an end to legislative orgies and official
corruption. 1t would limit extravaganza
1 auu Lu6ll. LII WOulu ldh PIOPOlIJ oCSulO3
and reduce the volume of taxation. These,
as long as they lasted, would be positive
gains. The white people of the State, as
far as we know, would gladly welcome the
| conversion of South Carolina into a military
satrapy. But we fear that this door OF es-
| cape is firmly closed. The so-called civil
government is likely to stand. How can we
make the best of it, strip Radicalism OF its
most disgusting features, and save the people
from beggary?
The only remedy suggested by Mr.. Ran
sier is explained in the following passages
| of his concluding article:
sLet the leading men of both the white and
| colored race come together In convention, say
| each chose one OF their own from each county
in the State. Let them meet calmly, discuss
the situation, and determine what Is best to be
| done as to matters Of taxation, and the gene
raj policy of the administration. In the nrst
place, let them ask of the administration, in
view of the high rate of taxation this year,
for for ls70) the postponement of the collec-
ton OF the taxes for 1871, which, under the
amended act, would occur next November,
thus bringing the collection of taxes for 1870
and 1871 within six months or SO OF each
other, which is of vital moment to both classes
and all conditions OF our people. In the Sec
| ond place. let them ask of the Governor (who
appreciates the situalion) a certified statement
of the public debt up to the latest possible
moment, and invite him aud other officers
having the immediate control of our finances
| to give their opinion as to our financial con-
dition, where benefit is to be derived from the
sterling fund act to the State, and as to other
matters as may be calculated to inspire conf
dence in our securities, and thus satisfy those
of our moneyed men at home and ABROAD, ana
give such other guarantees as will secure
| confidence in the ability aud Willingness Oh
| the administration to protect life and properly
in the State. In the third place, let them
consider the militia organizations, propose
such amendments to the militia law as may be
deemed advisable, and recommend upon all
other matters-the powers and duties OF coun-
ty commissioners, &C., as in their wisdom may
seem to call for amendments, corrections, &c.
| Some such thing will, in my humble judgment,
accomplish more substantial good than a con-
vrntion of "taxpayers," or OF the whites ex-
l t.I-nl, ~ a. Al pu nf tho m M Ia N , c,,,r,racfAl.