The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-17
THE POLICY OF PEACE.
A STRONG LETTER FRO1r IN HONEST
AND EARNEST REP UBLIC4N.
The Hon. b. Odell Duncan on the Sftua-
tfon-The Prime Cause OF the DIsor-
ders in the State-W hat Governor
Scott should do, sc.
UNITED STATES CONSULATE,
NAPLES, April "a, 1871.
Hon. T. j. Robertson, United States Senator
WncbiDoton d. q


Hon. T. J. Robertson, United States Senator,
Washington, d. c.:
Ny DEAR SIR am delighted to see your
letter to Generals Kershaw, Butler and others.
The sentiments therein expressed / can most
heartily endorse, and were they acted up to by
those in authority in our State generally, I
am convinced our troubles would be much
less serious. We need, as you say, "lustice
and kindness to all classes, so that none may
feel themselves alien to the government.
Your idea, too, Of appealing to the leaders
of the Democratic party is a good one; for by
proper organization they can contribute i'm
mensely to the maintenance Of order. Besides,
such appeals will tend to restore better feel
ing between the two parties, which in itself
will be great gain.
But the preservation OF law and order does
not, in my opinion, depend alone, or even
mainly, on the opposite party. You we'll know
that the disorders from which our State is SUI
ierins so terribly are the natural result Of the
dsgracefully corrupt government we have
had for the last three years. To defend such
a government, after all the corruption and vice
we have witnessed, would be most ridiculous.
But prominent Republicans like yourself, who
hope to accomplish some good as 'spacifca-
tors" should exert yourselves to the utmost
to remove the original causes of the troubles.
1 give you full credit for having done much in
this direction. General amnesty will do more,
probably, than any other one thing to allay
bitter feelings; and l am glad to see that your
efforts in its behalf have been most earnest. l
have read yours and Senator sawyer's re-
marks on the amnesty bill with the greatest
pleasure, and am hoping and expecting to see
that DeLarge and Rainey have both spoken
ont unequivocally on the same side in the
other House.
But the main work is to be done BY Cover
nor Scott and those under him In South Caro-
lima. give the Governor full credit for what
he has done since his reelection, He vetoed
several corrupt bills passed By IT, Legisla-
ture, and seemed to be earnestly desirous OF
protecting the State treasury. he has dis
banded the partisan and lawess militia in sew
eral OF the disturbed counties. He should do
so everywhere. and, if necessary, send Unit
ed States troops in their places. Or If State
troops are to be used at all, let select body
of white men be organized, as proposed by
Governor Alcorn, of Mississippi, aud after
proper training be used merely for the sake
of restoring order In disturbed sections. To
use colored militia will Invariably bring about
such contest as all good men must wish to
avoid Let him continue to remove corrupt
and inefficient officials, and put In their
places good, peaceable, law-abidlng men, who
are respected in their several communities.
Let this be done especially III the cases Of
trial Justices and financial officers. A bad
trial Justice is standing danger in his neigh
borhood, and the people will be still more adj
verse to paying the enormous taxes, seeing
them assessed and collected by corrupt and
worthless men. IL is bad enough for the
property-holders to witness the taxes heaped
up by corrupt Legislature unit! they almost
amount to coEfiscaL!ou, without being insult
ed BY having them assessed and collected by
men Of the lowest character.
! am very well aware Of the difficulty OF the
Governors position. He mist not seem to be
weak, or he will lose the respect aud support
of both parties. But he can afford to be just.
Let him be as enient as possible in the colec-
ton of the taxes; lei him be jndiclous in his
appointments: and, above all, let him take
firm stand agans. corruption wherever 1t may
occur, and believe he will have the support
OF the good men Of both parties.
Like sou, am desirous Of doing al can
TO restore order in our State, and: we're not
so far distant, should lose no opportunity of
doing ell in my power. should regret being
absent, if I could see my way clear to doing
any good by being at home. But shall
always be delighted to see such efforts as
yours to calm excited feelings and restore
peace and quiet to our unhappy State.
Very truly yours,
p u DrySc.S