The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-12-03

w .no osubes 'thRt have tended to
ppsefuct the successful fuladmiuistration of
the state during the past four yesrs.
entered upon the duties Of the Office of
Governor on the 9th day of July. 1864.
by virtue Of the election held ,nnranant
to the Constitution of the State. adopted
in accordance with the Reconstruction
Acts of Congress-.
The advent OF the new State Govern.
mcnt, under free constitution, founded
upon the principle of universal equality
OF rights before the law, evoked the
| hercest hostility from the former govern
ing class. That hostility was to have
been anticipated in the very nature of
things. A brave people, who had hazard
ed life and property for sentiment on
the field OF battle, and had maintained
their cause through four years OF war.
with distinguished prowees, could not
have been expected to give cheerfc!
compliance to the new order of things,
rounded upon the upheavaI OF all that
!hey nad been accustomed to hold dear
IN tnelr ancient institutions and tradi-
tons. Especially was this the csse in
South Carolina, where politics have al.
ways been moro q matter of feeling than
OF principle. To them therefore sym-
bollzed, IN my character as Governor. an
onmltlgated usurpation, originated by
an Act OF Congress, and ratified by the
free votes OF GLASS of citizens who.
from time immemorial, had been held on
the soil OF the State as chattel slaves.
Recognizing this hostile spirit, and, as
an American, respecting the manly
| though mistaken sentiment from which
| it sprang, I earnestly "deavored to ap-.
pease 1t by every concession that 7
deemed either safe or consistent with
seif:respect, or warranted by proper
hdellty to the party that had elevated me
20 Office. In pursuance of this policy of
oonclilation | used the following Ian
guage in my first inaugural address:
.,,,,While I believe that in my election the
will OF the majority of the people Of Sonth
Carolina has found fuller expression than
ever before In hor history, am at the same
har bme nana awaae that an influential minority Of
n ths adoption OF the Constitution under
whlch we are assembled. and my election to
the once OF Governor, az in violation Of their
less earnestly and honestly look forward ia
| the time when these and all other acte done
under the authority OF tho United States Co.
yernment since the close OF the war eha,I he
declared null and void.
IT !s never wise in any community for the
| majority to treat with indifference Or unnn-
cessary rlg9r the opinions xnd wishes Of tho
minority: In a community like this, where
society is being completely reyolutionzed.
| and where, as the result of that revolnt;on'
soreness and bitterness Of feeling necessarily
exist among all CLASSES, but especially among
| the former ruling class. it is OF the very first
importance that Ta, who represent the maio-
rlty OF tho people. shall exercise great mode.
h.ion th. NJ ana io1bearanoe in all that We do, so
that we may disappoint both the hopes and
iearB or thoso who have prophesi5ji CONCERN
ing us different result.
Hfor my own part, while SHALL within the
| scope OF my powers. firmly and consistently
carry out the primo iples OF freedom laid down
IN tho Constitution, aud zeslously seek to
maintain the rights OF the poorest and hum
oles. citIen OF she State. hope to be allie to
90 TINS duty in such manner that large
| numbers OF those who now stand aloof, fore
seeing only evil to the State, will. as time
rolls on, realize that tho extension Of equal
| stead OF injuring the State, produces content
| ment and peace-conditions precedent to the
growth OF an Intelligent, strong and prosper
thinp could bn aone 40 hos 10 .ssIpPSssd ts: so@e
would have dared to accept this trust nt the
hands OF the people,"
The General Assembly responded to theae
sentiments in spirit of singular magnani-
NIFTY. and eloctod tho eight law Judges from
the party hostile to the administration. In
hhe tha m,ainner. ma re-appointed the majority Of
lis officers. The former political Leaders
however, with few honorable exceptions.
wore not appaased by those conceseions. In
tneir own jd.isuien:, they "eTs tho State, ard
l {,
!osE. That antagonism soon developed itself
n formidable combination against the
hnan.ial credit Of the State. The condition
OF the stale WAS favorable to it's inception
and execution. The State crcdit had been
blown away from the n.nzzles of it's OWL guns.
| There was an outstanding boudrd debt Of
% 523 700: and but *i5 in the State Treasury.
Even the funds necunsary to pay tn. accrued
per diem aod mileage or members OF tho
General Assembly we're raised b., nv private
tff'rts. The several issues Of bonds made
pursuant to Acts Of the General Assembly.
for tho purposes of meeting the curront
expenses OF tho government, supply dof-
ciuncics,. pay the interest on the BONDED
| debt aud to sbsorb largo floating debt
which had bccn accumulating for wears
| %ero steadily assaied and cloudea with
tho threAt Of rtpudia!ion, by the combi-
| nation referred to, aided by all the unpoei-
ton journals in tho Slaie.
,sire to observe here, that THE c;as, OF
combination MAS peculiar to South Carolina.
Nowhere e!so i'll any of the reconstructed
States did the taxpayers sanction system
designed to dcpreciate their own securities:
| for they were restrained by tho ordinary in.
stihct OF self.pr eservation. which dmonished
| them that 1t would surely recoil upon their
own heads As there wAs II certain fix ID sum
OF money to be raised by the sale Of state
| bonds, 1t was obviously tho interest ot the
taxpayer not to depreciate tho purchasing
nd ?