The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-24
Ring Rule and Ruin

The bold attempt OF Pillsbury and bis
hangers-o on to override the will OF The peo-
pie, as expressed at the municipal election,
will, if persisted in, be as dangerous to the
Republican party in general, as to itc lndl-
vidual members who lire by their ine@stry
in Charleston.
The Republican party processes 10 be ne
party of honesty and good faith. Its Leaders
| in New York make war upon Temmany,
because of the char ;es OF corrupt conduct
brought against the sachems. Its cham
pions in Washington denounce what they
style Democratic venality," and solemnly
tell the people that Republicans alone are to
be trusted. At the same time, their best and
wisest men declare that they will cut out
auy caDkerous sores which power may have
bred in their own body. They assert their
purpose to purify the Republican party, and
to expel from it those who are incompetent
and not to be trusted. Collector Murphy
fingers in Office. but the cleaning axe is
ready to fall. In other words, the purest
and ablest OF the Republican leaders take
! the position that it is the mission OF their
party to correct all the abuses which have
grown out Of the war. They take new
departure. and DECLARE war upon tricksters
and cheats wherever they find them.
These are the sounding phrases OF our po-
litical adversaries, and they are re-echoed
in South Carolina. Our promising Governor
canddly admits that many OF the State Off
GERS are incompetent, and that there is ove:-
much peculation. The same avowal is
made by every Republican in the State
whose eyes are not closed by a golden
bandage. And it was this feeling which
elected General Wagner and the Citizens
candidates for aldermen three months ago.
They were elected not as Democrats or Re-
publicans, but as honest men who would con-
troll the city government in the interests OF
the whole people, aud not for the benefit ola
party or class. Their election was 30 un-
derstood, and welcomed, by every journal Of
note in the country. But an attempt is
made to set the election aside. A handful
of desperate men, who are not respected or
trusted in the Republican party or out OF it,
who are notoriously corrupt, who have no
higher aim than their own profit, now pro-
pose to reverse the popular decision, ard to
remain in Office in usurpation OF the rights
of the people. They have taken course OF
which no decent Republican does, or can,
approve. They wilfully make laughing
stock of the honest Republicans OF both
North and South They prepare the ruin Of
their party, and give to the Democracy a
weapon which will be used with terrible
effect. Their plotting is watched. We may
suffer, but the Democracy will, through our
overthrow, gain many victory.
Nor have Pillsbury and Hendricks any
more regard for the working classes, mainly
negroes, whom they pretend to represent,
than for the National Republicans. With
out confidence in the municipal government,
we cannot retain or obtain capital, and
without capital there is no work for the
laborers and workingmen. The election OF
the Citizens candidates gave confidence to
the owners of property. Contracts for new
buildings and for other Improvements were
instantly mad,. There was demand for
laborers and mechanics. The price OF city
stock improved. All the city was cheerful
and conGdert. The fact that, after three
years of misrule the city had obtained a
| government which the people could trust,
made whites and blacks, rich and poor,
huoyant and full of hope. Last Friday it
was rumored that Judge Graham had grant
ed i. writ which might delay the installation
v. The new Council. City stock fell heavily
The whole community became miserabIy
blue. And with reason. They who have
money will continue to lend it out and will
make large profit. But they will not build
houses-to lie taxed by Pillsbury Council
They will not buy ships; they will not ex-
tend wharves; they will not lay out one dol
lar beyond what is needed for food, shelter
and clothing. They will be tempted to put
the bulk of their means in u city which
is blessed with an honest government.
And what is to become OF the work
ing classes whom the Pillsbury crew pretend
to love? Theyoupgest and most skilfu will
shake the dsast from their feet and so 10
other States. AS for the rest, they must stay
Lere, and may starve for all that Hendricks
and Pillsbury care. And they who will suf-
fer most ore the colored citizens OF Charles
ton who, in party contests, take the Radical
side.
We have the right, then, to say that the