The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-06
-lHoYT & CO., Proprietors.
Latter from Hon. C. G.. Memminger to Gov.
\ Scott.
CHARLESTON, March "a, 1871.

OHASlESlOEt, D1thSu 1osA
HIS ErceAescy r. Z. Scott, Goueraor Of South
Carolina
.DEAR SIR: Not having been present at the
conference to which Was recently invited by
your Excellency, I have thought it due to you,
chat should, as soon as it was in my power,
submit to you the counsel, which, in my opln-
ion the present exigencies of our State call for.
The remedy for any existing evil must de-
pend upon the exact character Of the evil and
the first step to be taken towards a proper ap-
plication of q remedy is to observe carefully
Che nature and cause of the evil. The leading
fact which has probably induced your action
Ia the formation of combinations in many OF
the upper counties of the State, which exhibit
themselves in acts of violence upon those whom
they deem fit subjects for extraordinary vista
ton. There can be no difficulty in ascertain
ing the cause of these combinations. 1t is un-
doubtedly the conviction that the existing Gov
eminent of the State is utterly corrupt; and
that it has failed in all the duties which are re-
ouired at its hands-that there is no adequate
security for life or property, and that the taxes
laid by the Legislature must eventuats In vir-
tual confscation of the entire income OF the
citizens.
Is this conviction well founded7
/. The corrupt character of the Legislature
Of the State has been so distinctly eyinced, that
il may be set down as an admitted fact.
Q. The failure to discharge the duties OF
government eliminated in the action of the
Legislature at its last session upon the Chester
field election. This action, following upon
the previous election laws, which refused any
cheek upon the majority, satisfied the white
people Of Che State, that they had no rights,
recognized by the Government, and that they
must, therefore, protect themselves In the best
way they could. The arming of the colored
militia, and exclusion of the whites from any
participation, placed one class distinctly above
the other, and plainly exhibited to the whites
that force would take the place OF law.
8. The wasteful expenditure OF the pubic
money. and the corrupt schemes for increasing
the public debt, which have found favor with
the Legislature, proclaim in the future an in
definite increase of taxes, while corrupt officers
foment these evils, and render hopeless any eff
fort ut amendment.
4. The formation of secret societies among
the colored people, under the name Of Union
Leagues, have banded them together in secret
organization, and while these societies render
useless any appeals to the better Judgment OF
their members, they naturally suggest IKE
organization among the whites as their only
means of defense.
These various evidences have settled con-
must seek protection outside of the existing
Government, and as your Excellency doubtless
SEES. these evils must result in anarchy or civil
war, unless some remedy be speedily applied
The active cause of all this evil Is clearly the
Legislature of the State. There it all originates
there it has its abode, and from thence it must
be removed before peace or security can ensue.
The character of this body must therefore be
changed. Instead of representing ignorance
and vice, it must represent knowledge and vlr-
tue. This it cannot do until you change. its
constituency. There is no possible method OF
reforming an agency, while the principal con-
tinues the sanle-and ignorance and prejudice
will never select for its agents the wise and the
good. Our troubles result from this cause, and
from neglect of the great American aphorlsm,
that taxation without representation is tyranny.
In our present system of State Government,
those who pay the taxes have no voice IN the
Government. This investigation clearly points
to the only possible remedy, to wit: change
In the constituency which elects the Leglsia-
ture. Let this be improved, and the improve
nent of the other follows of course. a more
Intelligent body of voters, and one directly re-
sponsible to pay the taxes which are imposed
by their representatives, would speedily pro-
vide remedy. Under their auspices, an intel
igent and virtuous Legislature would again
make its appearance, and the laws OF the land
and the public officers appointed to administer
them, would again command public commence,
and ensure the peace and tranquility OF the
State. -,
Ali this can be obtained by simply following
the lead of that State which our present rulers
would regard as the fountain Of political WIS
dom. and amending our constitution 30 as to
conform the qualifications Of voters to that re-
Gnired in Massachusetts,. Let the voters be
onIy such as can read and have paid some tax
for the support of the Government, and the
representatives will at once change their char
acter. Such qualification in the voters would
discriminate only against ignorance, and would
place it in the power of every man to take
part in the Government, whatever may be his
race or color.
The difficulty of such an amendment arises
from the fact that it must find sufficient favor
With the existing authorities to command q
two-thirds vote. This difficulty is real but is
It not worth the effort to overcome it7 With
ont some such change the State must ihevita-
HE drift into anarchy or civil war, and surely
we already have had sufficient experience OF
the evils of war to induce every one to seek
fheir avoidance. If you, sir, would commence
the movement by an earnest appeal to the Leg
jslature, immediately TO submit the call OF
convention to the decision of the people, 1T is
not at all improbable that the movement may
It is true that it will take much time, and
that much agitation must ensue. But let every
man weigh against these considerations, the
danger which must attend any other course
Should, even, the violence which may be ap-
pretended, be suppressed by militia force. it is
not at all unlikely that as their only remaining
resource the entire community will refuse to
pay their taxes and then, where will be creai.
bad bad men will agitate against such measure,
and will endeayor, as heretofore, to PERSUADE
the ignorant colored people that the whites
will again reduce them to slavery. But your
T-oeIlencv will he fuliy able to repel such at