The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-29
SPIRIT or TIE PRESS.
EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF THE LEADING JOURNALS
UPON CURRENT ToPICs-CoMPnED EVERY
DAY FOR THE EVENING TELEGRAPH.
A NEW DEMOCRATIC GRIEVANCE.


From the NJ Y. Times
The Democratic element in the State of
South Carolina has a new aud strange cause
of complaint Taxes are imposed without
ADEQUATE representation. In South Carolina,
as in many other States, the voting outnum-
bers the taxable population. In this instance,
IL is a result of the acts of the complsinants
themselves. The wealthy people of South
Carolina embraced, almost as a unit, the
cause of the Rebellion. Having been Rebels,
they were deprived of citizenship. To most
of them, however, political privileges have
been restored. Previous to the Rebellion,
ali mower was in the hands of the class now
complaining. The enfranchisement of the
negro has for a time transferred political
control from the master to his former chattel.
This is the chief grievance. Taxation with
out representation is a oatch-word to con-
ceal the real purpose of the movement,
which is to deprive the negro, as far as may
be possible, of the right of suffrage, aud
augment the strength of the Democratic
party.
In the General Assembly of South Carolina
the negroes outnumber the whites, and a
large majority of the whites represent negro
constituencies. Property, though repre-
sented, is in so small a minority as to be
without influence. Property desires to re-
gain its old position and influence, but those
who are interested in this result do not come
out openly and say how it is to be brought
about. The idea of a purely property
representation is opposed to the funda-
mental principles of the Government. Be-
fore the Rebellion, it was q cause of constant
complaint on the part of the North that the
slave, for all other purposes a chattel, was
counted a man in the apportionment of Re-
representatives. in Congress. Not possessing
slaves now, the ex. Rebel of South Carolina
wishes to have his lands and houses, his hocks
and herds, represented. How should the
basis of representation be established?
Should the property-owner be allowed votes
for three fifths of his wealth? Then General
Kersbaw, or some other ex-insurgent, having
elected himself by his own votes, would re-
present constituency of plantation horses,
mules, COWS, hens, and chickens.
Preposterous as the idea of property repre-
sentation is, it is of value as betraying the
designs of the Democracy of the South. A
quarrel is to be fastened on the Republican
party. One grievance is no sooner satisfied
than another takes its place. Governor Scott,
willing to make every sacrifice for peace sake,
and perhaps wishing to test the sincerity of
the Democratic overtures, yielded to every
suggestion Of the delegation of eighteen, of
which the ex-Rebel General Kershaw was
the head. Near the end of the conference,
the Governor was Informed that the con-
cessions made were not sufficient-that lost
power must be restored to the wealthy
classes of South Carolina. This demand sim
ply means that control of the legislation of
the State should be- given into the hands of
Democrats who are wiling to serve the "lost
cause" In South Carolina, however, the
negro vote is III the majority, and it is un-
likely that this MAJ jority will abridge its right
of suffrage. Refusal may, perhaps, bring
down the vengeance of the Ku-klux; ne "
outrages will be committed, having ex-
cuse the infringement of the negro on the
rights of the whites. The Democracy, to be
consistent, must defend their brethren of
South Carolina, and thus help to build mp an
aristocracy, while claiming to be the friend
of the laboring classes.