The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-05-11
Letter from Attorney General Chamber

The Columbia Ptenir publishes lengthy
letter from Hon. D. 81. Chamberlain, addressed
to Col. W. L. Trenholm, of Charleston, giving
his views and suggestions as to the remedies tor
the political evils now encompassing the State.
After stating the causes and nature of the evils,
and reviewing the events of the last three years,
he earnestly and ably sets forth the advantages
to be derived from the adoption of "cumula-
tive voting" by which powerful minority
would be effectually heard in the political and
financial management of State affairs. His ar
gument is worthy of reproduction, but lack, OF
space prevents. He concludes rs follows:
There are other reforms, also, which we must
demand, and demand imperiously and peremp-
torily. One is the repeal of that most unjust
and scandalous election law under which our
last general election was held. Another is in
an absolute prohibition Of any further increase
Of cur public debt, except under restrictions
which shall be rigid and absolute. Another is
the immediate reduction of all public expendi-
lures to at least two-thirds of their present
amount. Another is the speedy removal, by
the Executive, of incompetent local officers, es-
pecially tax-offcers, and the appointment Of
capable and honest men in their places, regard
less of party. This will effect only a par
tial present remedy, but it will do much imme-
diately to remove deep and just cause of COM
nlaint. These are some of the demands of the
hour, which I, for one, will join with all good
citizens in making and I trust that, by every
means, by individual influence and action, by
the press and by the conventions, the people of
the State will proclaim and enforce these just
demands. There are abundant means, in my
Judgment, within the reach of the taxpayers
of our State to enforce these changes, without
doing violence to civil and social order. In
fact, nothing is 30 sure to prolong the present
situation as a resort to violence. Nothing can
and nothing will, in the eyes of the nation and
the world, Justify or excuse what is known as
Ku Kluxism. 1t is simply horrible, infamous,
diabolical never to be tolerated as q means OF
reform or relief from present abuses, for it is in
itself the most stupendous OF crimes. Good
citizens who look to reform, must compel such
means to be forever abandoned. Violence be-
gets violence, and soon that spirit of lawless-
ness which finds countenance or escapes de-
nunciation, will run riot and PROSTATE all the
common safeguards of civil society. 1t will, in
due time, return to plague its inventors But
by whatever means or from whatever causes re-
lief and reform are secured, they must come
from OURSELVES U1tt fsot ho"s oVfOesN.
Our hope lies solely in the strong and fixed
resolution of our own people to right our own
wrongs and to work out our own salvation.
Repression of open crime may come from the
National. Government, but permanent reform,
in our political condition, can only come
through ourselves. Let this truth be never
forgotten. Il Isl lesson which must be learned,
at whatever Cost. With resolute and prudent
spirit, en- the part of our responsible and en-
hghtened fellow-citizens, cheerfully acknowl-
edging and defending the equal civil and Po-
itiesl rights of all our citizens, laying aside
effete traditions and bending all their energies
to the work of present reform, I confidently
say, from my intimate knowledge of the pres
ent situation, that not only can the present
dominant party be restrained from further
abuses, but they can be controlled in the inter
est Of those men who look to the common and
permanent welfare of our State.
Despair is folly; doubt is weakness; resolu-
tion, confidence, prudence, fairness, justice are
the qualities which the situation calls for. Our
State can be saved saved by peaceful, consti-
tutionsl means and only by such means adop-
ted by her own citizens, can she be sayedat all
You and at least, are ready for such a work.
Who that loves his race or his State will refuse
his aid Z