The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-05-04
Letter from Gen. Gary

| The Columbia Pfe,ais recently published a
letter from Gen: NJ W. Gary, of Edgefeld, ,ad-
dressed to Col. E.. q. Mcclure, of Chester,
touching the action; and purposes of the May
Convention. Gen. Gary is at present sojourn-
ing in Arkansas, and fearing that business en-
gagements would detain him beyond the time
fixed for the Convention, he has written this
letter for the satisfaction of friends who desired
to know his impressions in regard to the proper
course at this juncture. 1t will be seen by the
following extracts that his expressions are just,
sensible and moderate, fully according with the
views expressed BY this Journal and calculated
to evolve practical, wholesome relief for the
people As this gallant gentleman is SO we'll
known to many of our readers, the extracts
wiifbe perused with interest: ;t5i
Since leaving home, have interchanged
views with quite number of distinguished
men of the Democratic party, and with persons
Of financial reputation, and I find that q mis-
apprehension prevails as to the object and in
tentions of the people of our State touching
her present indebtedness. As understand the
resolutions of the Board of Trade and Chamber
of Commerce in Charleston, they refer to any
future Indebtedness Of the State; but the i'm
preston is abroad that they look to repudia-
ton of the entire State Indebtedness.
I fully appreciate and endorse the feeling
that has prompted our taxpayers TO give warn
ing to the party now in power, that any addi-
tional Indebtedness, created by corruption and
fraud will not epaid.
According to the best information which l
have been enabled to obtain, the present bonded
debt of the St,lte is about So, 100000, and it is
claimed by the party in power that about two
thirds of this was in existence anterior TO their
Inauguration. How far this may be absolutely
true, I am not prepared to say. Ii the taxes
were judicionsly levied, and the money arising
therefrom appropriated to its extinng1uish,mcnt,
instead of going into the pockets of the thieves
who are robbiug us under the forms Of lew, we
could soon pay it; or, at least, meet the inter-
est due thereon even in our impoverished con-
diton. Reputation, by either States or indi-
yiduals, is very dangerous alternative, and
should be resorted to only to prevent more
direful calamity-the confscation of our lands
and the expatriation of our best people. We
have lost all save honor in the late struggle for
constitutional liberty, and before we part with
that, we should suffer and endure until the
kecping the public promises "are more honored
in the breach than In the observance"
I. therefore, think that the proceedings of the
convention should be regulated and controlled
with prudence and caution. think that sub
.tantial assurances should be demanded from
the leaders Of the party in power that retrcnch-
ment. economy and honesty should govern the
future financial policy Of the present admins
ton that taxation will be reduced to rea-
sonable standard that the present Indebtedness
should not be increased, and that the collection
of the present taxes be postponed until the
people make another crop, With some such
assurances we can afford to bear for time the
ills We have Than 70 fly to others NC know not