The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-08-18
A Black Mans Views.

Pendenoe. who is now established in
charleston as land agent, has publish
ed letter to Fred. Douglass, containing
q review OF the condition of things poll.
tical IN South Carolina. which, he
thinks, will also justly apply to nearly
all, II not all. the reconstructed States Of
the South. We make some noteworthy
extracts from tho lotter:
When the war ended, the colored peo-
pie of the South had little KNOWLEDGE of
social and political affairs, aud had, of
necessity, to accept such lenders MS pre-
sented themselves The firstoof these
were in the persons of various agencies: !:
as school-teachers, (mostly women the
Christian Commission, colporteurs and
agents Of the "Freedmens Affairs" mot
the Boreau,) who aided in directing their
social and domestic relations. When re-
construction commenced, political lead
ers were greatly required, but few to be
had. Southerners {the old masters) stu-
diousiy opposed and refused to counte-
nance reconstruction, and tue freedmen
were fearful and would not have trusted
them if they could have obtained their
aid -'-
Those who came with or followed the
army, with a very fsw native whites,
were. the only available political element
to be had to lcarry out the measures of
reconstruction. These we're readily ac-
oepted by the blacks (by this I include
the entire oolored people) and the fullest
confidence reposed in them. Some we're
or had been officers in the army. some
privatas, some suffers, others peddlers
and various tradesmen, others gamblers
and even pick-pockets, changers on" and
Gthn m n - op or{s L. T..
: OF the whites, Among these were men
of refinement, educated gentlemen. and
somo very good men; but large part of
those most active were of the lowest
grade OF Northern society-negro-haters
at home-who could not have been elect
ed to any position of honor or trust.
just such men as burnt down negro
orphan asylume and hung negro mon to
lamp-posts in the New York riot of 1863.
In this review intend to speak plainly;
cal! things by their right names, and
LOOK those Of whom speak directly in
the face. The best and most competent
men were chosen to fill the most impor-
tant positions In State and local govern
ments, while the others readily obtained
such places as required incumbents. In
deed, there was scarcely one so incompe-
tent as not to have been assigned some
position of trust.
+ Positioned in places of power, profit
and trust, they soon sought, by that
guile and deception known only to de-
magogues, under acceptable appellations
of Yankee, Republican aud Radical. 60
intrude themselves into the confidence
OF the blacks, and place themselves at
their head as leaders. So insiduously
did they do this, that it was not disco
vered by the few colored men Of intelli-
gence who held places among them till
too late to remedy the fatal evil.
These demagogues laid the foundation
OF their career upon o basis of The most
dangerous political heresy. Deception,
lying, cheating. stealing, "whatever can
be done in politics is fair" and ''to beat
is the duty in political contest, no mat
ter what means are used to effect it," are
among the pernicious precepts of this
moral infidelity.
Jealous OF the few intelligent oolored
men among them. they studiously sought
TO divide the blacks. by sowing the seeds
OF discord among them. This was faoili-
tated by prejudicng the ignorant gainst
thelntelligent. These men stroye and We'd
each with the other, regardless of con-
sequences, to place himself in The lead
of q community of blacks in both town
and country, which in time was educed
to little else than rabble mob of disor
der and confusion. Trained in the leagues
as serfs to their masters. it became dan
gerous to oppose the teachings OF these
men of mischief Because, having been
recommended to their confidence at the
commencement Of reconstruction. their
experience and knowledge in public men
and matters were too limited to believe
anything against them.
a knowledge of this emboldened these
men to persistence in their course of
crime and corruption. Hence, many
otherwise good men, both white and
black, from age, inexperience or weak.
ness. were induced to accept the mon
strous teachings and join with or follow
the lend of these wretohed imposters.
Their sole object being personal gain
they cared little or nothing for public
veal. the interest OF the State or people.
black or white, nor the Republican
cause, upon which they had indccently
imposed themselves. This is that which
controlled Charleston politics. and
brought deserved defeat to the Repnbli-
cans in the recent municipal election. It
was Just retributiOn to set of unnrinc;.