The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-25
The State-Our First Care !

The Columbia UnioS would expect the
Democratic party, if they succeeded in elect
ing State ticket in South Carolina, TO re-
move all the Radicals from Office and fill The
places with Democrats. But if o iasion
party-such as Citizens or Reform party
were organized, and we're to carry the
State, the people. according to the Union,
would have right to object to the Demo-
Gratis monopolizng the fruits of a victory
which, without assistance, they could not
have WOE. Applying this principle to the
late municipal election in this city, our con-
temporary asks whether the attempt to ad-
minister the city government of Charleston
in the interest, and at the dictation, OF
Democratic politicians, would not be fraud
upon thepeople?
AS the Union knows, this journal has not
treated the election Of the Wagner ticket
as party triumph, We honestly believed
and still believe, that 1t was necessary to
the well-beiDg and progress of all the people
of Charleston, without distinction OF race
or class, that the Pillsbury party should be
defeated. Upon this broad ground, The Citi-
zens' party invited the cooperation OF Radi-
Gals and Democrats, Of whites and blacks.
The pledge was given that the new city
government would be impartial in all Its
dealings-that the one great aim OF its mem
bers would be to put Charleston in posi-.
tion favorable to her improvement and that
of her people. Upon the faith OF these
declarations, a large number Of colored meo,
and few white Radicals, joined with The
Democrats and elected General Wagner
and his ticket by handsome majority.
The new Council do not take their seats
until November. They will then show the
Union that they mean to fulfil, in good
faith, their every promise, expressed or im.
piled. We ara confident that there will be no
political persecution. We are sure that men
will be appointed, or elected, to Office on ac-
count OF their fitness, without regard to the
color of the skin. 1t is, in truth, our expec-
tation that the colored people, especially,
will earn more, and receive more, from The
city, under the Wagner administration,
than they ever did under the paternal rule
of Pillsbury. 1t is the wish of the thought
ful and substantial citizens OF Charleston
that the very set who have most distrusted
their assurances OF fair play and equal rights
shall be assured, by tangible facts, that they
have gained, not lost, by the overthrow OF
ignorance and corruption. And il we esli-
mate correctly the character OF the Mayor
and Aldermen elect, these are firmly resolved
to pursue the course we have indicated, not
merely because it is polite, but because 10 is
honest, just and right.
The Union says, with tru' that there are
many local governments which need ther
forming touch OF Citizens ticketa. 1t be-
lieyes that if the new administration in
Char,eston are actuated hy- catholic and
liberal spirit, the result will be seen in SINH
lar successes elsewhere, which will-redound
to the publication OF parties and the we'll
being of tine State We hope so. But why
should the plan of reform adopted in Charles
ton be confined to municipal elections Z?
Does not the State Government require
cleansing? Are there not, 10 Columbia,
"certain leeches, whose Unsuitable maws are
."fast reducing" the State ''to bankruptcy ?"
For National politics. in comparison with
the peace and happiness of South Carolina,
we care very little. We live here-not in
Washington. To obtain good government
for the State should be our first care. When
that work is accomplished, We may take an
active part in Federal questions and Presl-
Dental elections. AS long as the election
of State officers is made party question, so
long shall We be without government in
whose hands the interests OF all conditions OF
men will be safe. But fair, generous and
progressive State Government may be ob-
tanned, beyond doubt, in 1872, if the
people OF the whole State agree, as in
Charleston, to sink, for the moment, all party
differences, and devote all their energies to
the election OF such persons as will faith
fully and impartially represent them.
L. JT,,,n,