The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-05
A CONVENTION PROPOSED.
Letter from Hon. C. G. Memminger.
CHARLESTON, March "a, 1871.

AettcI IEoo4 AAOkA' Ns Oe e1AetntuADscEs
CHARLESTON, March "a, 1871.
His E1ccHcny t. X. Scott, Gorermor O
South Carolina:
DEAR SIR: Not having been present
at the conference to which was re-
emily invited BY your Excellency, l have
thought it due to you, that l should, as
soon as it was in my power, submit tc
you the counsel, which, in my opinion
the present exigeucies Of our State eall
for
The remedy oSanJ existing evil must
depesd upon the exact character of the
evil; aud the 6rst step to be taken to-
wards proper application Of a remedy
is TO observe carefully the pature and
cause Ct the evil. The leading fact
which has probably induced your action,
is the formation Of combinations. in
many Of the upper counties cfthe State
which exhibit themselves in acts Of vio-
lence upon these when they deem fit
subjects for extraordinary visitation.
There eau be 10 difficulty in ascertain
ing the cause of these combinations. 1t
is undoubtedly the conviction that the
existing Government OF the State is
utterly corrupt; aud that i, has failed
in all the du'ics which are required at
its hands-tlat there is 10 adequate
security for l;ie or property, and that
the taxes laid by the Legislature must
eyentuaie in virtual cOr6scation of the
entire income ofrhe citizens.
Is this corviction well founded?
l. Tie corrupt character of the Lesis-
lature Of the State l.a> been so distinctly
evinccd, that it may be set down as an
admitted fact.
=. The failure to discharge the duties
Of government eliminated in the action
"f The Legislature at It's last session
upon the Chesterfield election. This
action, following upon the previous
election 'aws, which refused any check
upon the majority, satisfied the white
people Of the Sta'e that they had no
rights, recognized by the Government,
and that they mnst. therefore, protect
themselves ia The best way they could.
The aruins Of tia cplorcd militia, and
exclusion Of Tie whites from any par
ricipatirn, placed one class distinctly
above the otter. and plainly exhibited
TO tic whites bat E,rce would take the
place of law.
8. The wasicfui expenditure Of the
public money, and the corrupt schemes
for increasing the pnblic debt. which
have found favor With the Legislature,
proclaim in the future an indefinite
increase Of faxes. while corrupt ofkcess
foment these evils, and render hopeless
my effort at amendment
!. The formation If secret societies
among Ire co,"rcl people. under the
nEme o. Union leagues. have banded
them together in secret organization,
md while these societies render useless
suy srpca's to the tetter judgment OF
their members. they naturally suggest e
ike organization among the whites as
their Only Essans Of defence.
Phcss vnrion. evidences have settled
g conviction In the minds Of the whiicss
that .he5 must seek protection outsids
of the existing Government, end as your
sssxssl]raeq dun5iless sees, these evils
,iast rs-alt sa anarchy or civil war, un.
less snae ,smedy be speedily applied.
The active ssase ofall this evil iseleafly
tl,e I.eefsla,nre n the Slate. There it
al originates thaYs Y hss its sbude,
ard from ,aepcs /. assst b. removed
before peace or security can ensue. Jae
character Of this body must therefore be
saanRed. Issiead Of representing
INsafsses saa rtoe. It masl rsPeeseas;
kaowlsdge adgistae, ahh Y esn1ss