The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-10

VIC Ctate 6lnce tnat period, with the ex-
ception OF such moderate sums as were
necessitated by the measures of recon.
struotion.
The methods of robbery have been too
various and universal to be enumerated
ia an exposition 80 general as this. Suf.
nee 1t to say. that they have involved
everybody OF any account who belongs
to the majority. It is trembling morass
OF corruption that shakes under the
tread of the investigation. There is no
chance to stop or punish the f1eorant
crimes that have been committed, be-
cause everybody. outside of mere
handful OF representatives of the tax.
payers, is Implicated. Whatever vii.
lalny IL exposed, or whatever investiga-
ton is threatened, silence is ut once
restored by threatening the threateners
with an examination aud exposure of
their own criminality. It is simply a
band OF robbers threatening to tell on
one another. Was thefe ever such a
burlesqne on free government?
The State is mired, and there seems to
be no standing ground for on effort at
extrication. And yet it must be extri.
Gated, or government is c failure. As
has been already said, there are but
thirteen representatives out of 124 mem.
bers Of the Legislature who are regard.
ed MS representatives of the taxpayers of
the State. OF these. eight come from
two upper Counties adjoining Georgia.
These representatives are tired of hope
less struggle against the thieves who have
plunged the State in bankruptcy, and
threaten general con6scation. These
Two Counties have petitioned to be set
OF to Georgia. AS their excsion would
]nst about extinguish the trifliug mino-
rlty OF the Legislature. and leave it q
unit IN It's corruptions, it is supposed the
majority will grant the prayer. So that
the last remnant of the holding ground
OF the taxpayers seems to BIZ on the
point Of disappearing.
1t is thus that 100000 white people.
more or less, composing the intelligence
aud property-holders of the State, are
put under the heel of 400, 1000 pauper
blacks, fresh from state of slavery and
ignorance most dense. Guided by un.
principled adyenturers from other States.
who make use OF these freedmen ss their
agents for the most nefarious acts which
were ever committed under the shelter
OF republican forms Of government,
this blind and unintelligent mass is pre-
cipitated npon the intelligence and
wealth Of the State till they are buried
out of sight.
1t is sometimes asked why the white
people Of the State do not endeavor to-
Influence the blacks by kind treatment
aud persuasion as to their true interests.
The answer is, that the jealousy of the
black of his old master is profound, un-
yielding and universal. Where the
kindest personal relations prevail, where
the freedmen remain on the old planta-
tions. and work the land on shares in
contentment and harmony with the pro.
prietors, the testimony is that, 80 far as
voting Is concerned. the old master is
utterly without Influence. He cannot
obtain vote or the promise of q vote. In
this matter, the black will listen only 10
the unprincipled adventurcr who rides
through the country claiming to be one
OF those who gave freedom to the slaves.
Conscious OF their present liberty, the
freedman's dread of it's possible loss
makes him the most suspicious and ap-
prehensive of mortals. In poverty aud
sickness, in trials and troubles, he re.
sorts to his old master. and seeks his aid
end counsel with childlike confidence.
But In voting, he is steeled to his advice,
and will die before he will take it.
Thus overwhelmed aud helpless, what
10 uuo o'oI"So ptoPeEty-ilOlulnS CltlZen
to do? He aims faithfully to get upon
his legs and keep upon his legs, but the
grinding taxation actually i'm posed, and
still more that which is threatened,
makes him despair of escaping virtual
confiscaton. He would get out of the
State if he could, but there is nobody to
buy his property. On visit to South
Carolina, few years ago, Senator
Sprague, OF Rhode Island, attracted by
the great natural advantages of water
power at the capital of the State, pur.
chased it, and spent considerable sum
OF money preparatory to starting manu-
factories there. The Development, soon
after. Of the corruptions and measure.
less robberies Of the State Government,
brought his operations to dead stand.
and now he only awaits tho forlorn hope
OF an opportunity 10 extricate his ven.
ture from the clutches Of the thieves
and villains who have tho State by
the throat and are sucking it's Gfe's
blood.
"Why don't you rebel again 2" asked
Boston man who was lately travelipg
through the State. "1'his time yon
would have a reason" Alas, why ?
Subjected to oppressive condition, such
as 1t may be safely said no State or com