The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-05-17
he Columbia Phenix. !
THEsSITUATION.
Letter fronS4 tt6EneJ General Chamber.
+laln.
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 5, 1871.

COLUMBIA, D. u, May D, 1911.
Col. ". L. Trenholm. Charleston, S. c.:
My DEAR SIR: The public evils which
now exist in our State, and the lawless
and disturbed condition Of society in
many counties, furnish me the occasion
and excuse for addressing you. | wish
could hope with more confidence that
my views and suggestions would tend tc
hasten the removal of present evils and
lay a safe foundation for our future
harmony and prosperity. But l hold
that it is the infy of every man, who
has thought or plan which seems to
promise relief from existing difficulties,
to contribute it to the common fund Of
information.
I address my views to you because
know that you are devoted, by associa-
tiop, principle and action, to the true,
permanent and highest Interests of our
State, and because believe that, though
wholly dissociated from political life,
you are not unmindful Of that duty
which Cicero tells US in his delightful
essay is "the dearest and foremost duty,
to care t1r ones coanty." l remember
too, the generous and eloquent words
which you have uttered in behalf of a
hopeful, patient, courageous graphing
with the duties and problems of today,
rather than the cherishing of memories,
however sacred, or the indulging OF
regrets, however just.
lam not, like you, native Of the
State, and perhaps it was my misfortune
to have settled here at time when
circumstances were not favorable to a
cordial reception Of those who had stood
upon the other side of the great civil
struggle which had toIu asunder the two
sections of our country. profess,
however, to be not behind the foremost
in my desire to DO all that lies iu my
power to serve and benefit the State,
with which all my interests are now
identified.
1t will be necessary for me at the
outside, to give my view of the nature
and causes Of the evils which now afiict
US. If we mistake the causes, We shall
be certain to mistake the remedy.
l propose to lay aside all par:isan-
ship, aud simply to state lac's as cou-
ccise them to exist. Let Us look at our
State when the reconstruction acts first
took effect in 1868.
4 social revolution had been accomp-
lished-an entire reversal of the politi-
cal relations Of most Of our people had
ensucd, The class which formerly held
all the political power of our State, we're
stripped Of all.
The class which had formerly been
less than citizens, with no political
power or social position, were made the
sole deposi;ayies Of the political power
Of the State. l refer now to practical
results, not to theories The numerical
relations OF the two races here was such,
that one race under the new Jaws held
absolute political control OF the State.
The attitude and action OF both races
under these new CONDITIONS while not
unnatural, was, as must think, unwise
and unfortunate. One race stood aloof
and haushtily refused to seek the con-
fdence Of the race which WAS just
entering on its new powers; while the
other race quickly grasped all the po-
litical power which he new order Of
things mad placed aithin their reach.
From the nature OF the case the one
race were devoid Of political experience.
Of ali or nearly al e'!rcarion, aud de-
pend mainly for all these qualities upon
on III ,sc who, for the NOS; part, charced
to haze driited here from other States,
or who, in very rare instances, being
former resident, Of The State, row allied
themselves wl;h the other race No
man Of common prudence, or who was
even slightly familiar with the working
Of social ivrces, could have then failed
to sec tina: the element. wl..cL went 10
COMPOSE the ros dominant parry were
not of the Kind ahich produce public
y;r;ae aud ho'or, Or Which coald long
secure even public order and peace>.aA,,
make ali jG>t allowance COR cxe@c
tioual cases cl individual character. 90
SAY that Tie re>ul, to be expected from
tie resy nature Of the situation iu 1868
vas ,aa, >c,amtie fof fvfice would en-
sue amons the members ofthe party in
poser, winch again, irow The nature Of
the case, must result in filing the
Offices OF the State, local aud general,
wiki men VI 30 capacity and lit,le
honesty Or d,s!rc to really serve the
p-'.ir.
The nation had approved the recon-
s:ruc;ion measures, not because they
seemed 70 be free Of danser, nor because
tho: we're blind "a the very grave posi-
bii':cs of ia;1re evils, but in the hope
tha, the on' race, wearing It's new
larre,s and using i>new powers with
modes'y and iorbearauee. would gradu-
ally remove the l.rja,lices and enlist
the symYathes and co opela'ion Of the
other race. until ftir degree Of politi
cal homo.enci'y should be reached, and
race lines should cease 10 mark the
limits Of ofIel;;ical parties.
Three years have passed, aud the re-
sal, i'-shat! lncompeteney, dishonesty,
corruption in al is for'us, have "advan-
c. their miscrcated frop's," have put
to light the small remnant that opposed
them. aid now rule the party which
rules the tate.
You may imagine the chagrin wi a
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