The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-10
.charleston, City of Duty"

| "Chnrleston, City OF Duty.
From the New York Journal OF Commerce.l
The city election at Charleston, s. c., on the
| I'd instant, OF itself no very Important Incl
dent except to the Inhabitants Of that place,
becomes exalted by circumstances intoa al
fair of great moment to the people Of the
South and the whole United States. There is
not city or town in the land, robbed or op-
pressed by its rulers, which should not look to
Charleston and learn how confidence and the
faithful performance OF electoral duty can
overturn all combinations and smash all rings
no matter how strongly organized for misrule
and public plunder. What the honest voters
of Charleston have done by their fidelity, tact
and energy, can be achieved by the display Of
like qualities throughout the length and
breadth of the country.
The State Government Of South Carolina,
none but partisan will deny, has been, under
the present management, as corrupt and ex-
| traragant as that Of any State in the Union.
South Carolina has been and is the paradise OF
carpet-baggers and ignorant and conceited ne
gro legislators. AS the State, so the City OF
Charleston. The most populous, the wealth.
est city of South Carolina her continued pos
session by The political vampires OF the State
was point OF The utmost consequence. De-
prive them OF that rich spot in the body polite,
where the ife-blood Of the State flows thickest
and strongest, and large part Of the least
upon which they have fattened is lost to them.
Approaching the vast importance Of retaining
Charleston in the clutches Of its party, the
State Legislature at the last session changed
the date of the city election from November to
August. Alarmed at the majority OF over 400
obtained by the Conservative or Reform party
III the State election In 1870, the rulers of the
Stale thought that by fixing the city contest in
the hos month OF August, and making des-
perate efforts to overawe the quiet voters,
they would win an easy victory. 1t was sup.
posed that In the month of August large
number OF the taxpayers of the city-who form
the backbone Of the Conservative party.
would be Off at the North for comfort and re-
Taxation, and that the negroes and other class
es who have little or no pecunlary Interest in
the fortunes OF the city, and no money to spend
on health or pleasure, would all stay at home.
Never was greater mistake made. Much as
many of TIE old Charlestonians would have
priced TIP to the Southern mountains and
springs, or to the Northern resorts OF fashion,
in this sweitering season, the mort Of them
remained at their posts. What were vacation
junketings to them weighed against the peace,
prosperity and happiness OF Charleston
Making up their minds to fight the battle for
liberty eud good government with their whole
strength, they made careful organization, In
which every available white conservative
voter vas counted, and they appealed with
success to the better class Of negroes, who had
not been seduced by the hybrid government of
the State, or had .repented of their former sup
port oflt. As'e.ection day approached and it
became evident that the plot had miscarried,
great excitement prevailed on both sides, and
bloody work was looked for at the polls. The
local authorities and the police were with the
schemers, and it was believed would have no
scruple in sustaining them by all means in
their power. In this emergency the Reform
party took the bull by the horns-a striking
| instance Of their shrewdness and discretion.
United States troops being In the city, leading
citizens waited on the commander and re-
quested him to detail squad of soldiers at each
precinct. If there was fighting 10 be done
they thought that the regular soldiers should be
| called on to take the risk and the responsible
| lty. In asking for this favor the Charleston
Conservatives exhibited most commendable
| desire for peace, and trust n the impartial
ity of the Federal army officers, which was not
abused. Their petition was granted, and SOL
diers were detailed to the several precincts on
election day. The election came off; few
disturbances occurred, easily quelled; and the
result was the triumph of General John A.
WAGNER, Reformer, over Gilbert Pllsbury, the
present incumbent, BY TT votes. Thus have
the better citizens of Charleston, white and
black together, rescued their city from the op-
position, and will have her fairs in their own
hands for the next two years. We hope that
they will use their power moderately and wise
ly, so as TO make a speedy restoration of good
order and sound government to the City Of
Charleston.
What the taxpayers and honest citizens Of
Charleston have done, every other abused
community in this nation can do By similar
concert of action and the same sacrifices ofease