The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-03-16
GRERNv1LnE, 8. O., March IS, 1871.
To his E,cellencv Coz. Scott.

SultlnR your polltlCAA cPEouohtosi oSe
ry section of tho State, as to- the best
means of preserving order, peace and
the enforcement of the laws in South
Carolina. You have invited prominent
gentlemen throughout the State to meet
you in Columbia for this lnudnble and
patriotic purpose. I believe, sir, that
you are now sincere in this purpose, not
withstanding your "Winchestcr rifle
speech" in Washington year or two
since, in which you fendishly proclaim
ed that this instrument of death, in the
hands of the negroes of South Carolina,
was the most effective means Of main
tanning order and quiet in the State. l
rejoice to find that change has come
over the spirit of your thoughts and nc
tions; and I, for one, am ready and will
ing, with all the good people of the
State, to sustain you in your present
course. The tone and temper of your
recent message to the Legislature Is evil
dence of your sincerity.
Permit me to say to you, sir, in all
candor and sincerity, that the signs Of
the times indicate, unmistakubly to my
mind, that we arc on the eve of bloody
thing is done to quiet public opinion.
The incendiary destruction of property
every night, and the roguery of the LIE
gislature in their appropriations and tax
alton, amounting ultimately to contisca
ton Of all real aud personal estate, cam
not be borne much longer. There is q
point beyond which human endurance
cannot go, let the consequences be whet
they may.
know it is not in your power to re-
form the Legislature, or stay etftctually
their corruption, bribery, prodigality and
roguery. But there are two things
which you cnn do and should do, the
sooner the better-.lisarm your militin
and appoint good and intelligent men to
Office. All the lawlessness and violence
which have disgraced the State have
been owing to these two sources of mis-
chief. Never was there more fatal mis-
! take, or a more diabolical wrong com
mitted, than when you organized color
ed troops throughout the State and put
arms into their hands. with powder and
ball, aud denied the same to the white
people. 1t was atrocious. The bloody
tragedy ut Laurens was owing
to this, and nothing else. The
murder Of Stevens and other white
man at Union Dy one Of your negro
companies, and the subsequent execu-
ton of ten colored prisoners was owing
| to the same cause. The fearful killing
and murder Of q number of men at Ches-
ter was likewise owing to your colored
militia. The violence and lawlessness at
Yorkville originated in one of yonr
worthless appointments. Heretofore,
your appointments have been mostly
| oF
cannot enforce the laws and preserve the
peace.
The colored people of South Carolina
behaved we'll during our civil war, and
would have continued to have done 80,
but fol the unprincipled carpet Dagger
| who came amongst them and stirred up
hatred to the white ace by the most artful
and dcvilish appeals to their fears and
bad passions. Unprincipled white men
living amongst US, seeing an opportunity
Of office and plunder, joined the carpet
bagg rs. These two classes united in
persuading the negroes That they would
be put back in slavery, and that they
must apply the torch to redress their
supposed wrongsl It is not surprising
that people so ignorant and credulous
as the negroes are, should thus have
been led astray. They we're told that lands
would be given them and their children
educated. Hundreds of thoqsauds of
dollars have been appropriated for this
purpose, and all squandered and stolen
by their pretended friends! A multi
plicity Of Offices have been created to
reward political purtisans; salaries have
been increased. millions appropriated
for railroads, and the most extravagant
waste of public moneys in every way!
The public officers and the members OF
the Legislature are charged with the
most shameless corruption, bribery and
roguery. 1t is impossible for the indus
try OF the State to puy the taxes. There
Is no security for property! 1t is impos-
siblc for this thing to go on anl preserve
order in the State. The State bonds
will not be paid.
l earnestly desire the peace and pros
perity Of my State. did all that l
could to prevent the secession of South
Carolina and the civil war which ensued.
No predictions Of nll the evils which
have ensued were treated with scorn and
contempt by those in power and aulho-
rity. You, sir, and those in power al
the present time, may not heed my pre-
uictiOnS again: but the lay is fast an