The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-07-18
HoYT g. CO., Proprietors.
Correspondence Charleston Daily Nsos.
GRANT AS A REFORMER.
A Talk with Judge Orr-The Present and
Future Of the State.
ANDERSON, sc. July 8.

u
James L. Orr, at his pleasant country home,
situated about mile from this village, and OBJ
tained from him an expression of his opinion
concerning the present condition of affairs in
South Carolina, and his views as to the best
method of attempting the much-needed refor-
nation in those affairs. Judge Orr received
me with courtesy and cordiality, assured me of
his high respect for the journal which L had
the honor to represent, and expressed his pleas
ure at the opportunity of placing his views be-
fore the whole people of South Carolina
through such O medium. The conversation
that ensued continued for perhaps an hour,
the Judge conversing rapidly, intelligently and
forcibly, and with an appearance OF perfect
candor and frankness, and the dialogue, SO Tar
as it was upon matters of public interest, was
about as follows:
Correspondents I have observed that since
your return from the Philadelphia Convention
you have been speaking in various places upon
the political prospects in this State, and de-
claring in favor of a thorough reform IN the
State administration. What do you propose as
plan for accomplishing that reform, and what
elements of probable success are there In the
proposition?
Judge Orr. Well, sir, it is evident that any
reform to be accomplished in our State affairs
must be accomplished by the Republican party.
Your papers acknowledge that, and with the
immense Republican majority in this State it
is a self.evident proposition. The masses that
compose that Republican majority are Che col
ored people of the State, and their devotion to
the Republican party is not to be altered by
arguments as to the comparative correctness OF
the principles of the two parties. Such argu-
ments are in the main above their comprehen-
sion, and if it could be logically proved las,
mind you, I don't think it could) that the ten
cts of the Democratic party were better than
those of the Republican, the colored masses
would still cling to the latter party, through
sentiment which, having its origin in gratitude
to the Republican party for its benefits con-
ferred, has now grown to an instinct OF deVo-
ton to that party.
Correspondent. Yes, sir; and it is precisely
by reason of that blind, unreasoning adhesion
of the colored people that the bad men of your
party, who have swarmed to this State, have
been able, by shouting the shibboleth of Re-
pubhcanism, to mount upon the votes OF the
colored masses to positions of power, and to the
control of the funds of the State, where they
have shown their gratitude by plundering alike
the whites and the blacks.
Judge Orr. Yes, sir; but the colored masses
are still disposed to favor honesty In the ad-
nnistration of affairs rather than rascality, be-
cause they have had no share of the plumber,
but have, on the contrary, had to endure their
lOSS-U6CduSS
orbitance in taxation and prohigacy IN gov
ernment must eventually be borne by the poor
laborers.
Correspondent. Then the colored people are
perfectly willing that their rulers should be
honest, but they must be Republicans; and, as
between an honest Democrat and dishonest
Republican, they would be apt to support the
latter?
Judge Orr. Well, yes. The rulers and lead
'ers Of the colored people must be Republlcans.
What they want now moro than anything else
is honest Republican leaders. Their choice OF
leaders has hitherto been confined to the "car-
pet-baggers," because they we're the only men
protesting Republicanism who possessed any
degree of intelligence and education.
CORRESPONDENT. And their intelligence and
education has been, in most cases, extremely
limited.
Judge On. Yes, but still superior to that of
the great bulk of the colored people who were
lust released from slavery, and had been with
out any means of education. Now the time
has come when the white men Of this State,
native South Carolinians, should resume their
natural leadership in the affairs of their own
State, and this they can only do by embracing
Republicanism and putting themselves at the
head of the Republican colored masses.
Correspondent. What do you mean by en-
bracing Republicanism? Accepting the nomi-
nation of Greeley, lifelong Republican, and
the platform of the Liberal Republican Con-
vention? They have already done that.
Judge Orr. No, they must accept the nomi-
nees and platform of the Regular Republican
Convention at Philadelphia. Nothing else is
recognized or will be recognized as being Re-
publican by the colored people of this State.
There can be no more sacrifice of principle in
Democrats voting for Grant than in their vo-
- g., 10TH onH
they renounce their Democracy in voting for
either.
Correspondent. Then you think that the
Democrats, having struck their flag and got as
far as Greeley toward the Republican ranks,
might as well surrender altogether and go for
Grant and the entire animal?
Judge Orr Yes. 1t is not as though the
contest in this State were upon abstract ques-
tions Of political economy or between Demo-
cratic and Republican principles. The Demo
Gratis of South Carolina have shown them
selves willing to accept the fundamental prin-
ciples of Republicanism. All they want now,
so far as the State is concerned, is an honest
and economical administration of affairs, and
there is no man in this country moro anxious
for this consummation than President Grant
himself. The present condition of affairs in
South Carolina and Louisiana is n terrible
burden for the Republican party in the coun-
try TO carry, and they are determined to purge
the party of such dishonesty.
Correspondent. "When the devil was sick,
the devil saint would be; when the devil got
well, the ID 4 saint was he."
Judge Orr. What did you say, sir?
Correspondent. Nothing, sir, [ am listening
Judge Orr. I was saying that the leading
Republicans at the North have been shocked
and astounded to hear of the robberies perpe-
trated by Republican officials in this State.
Some of them asked me in Washington if all
the horrible stories about the frauds in South
Carolina we're true, and when had to tell
them that they were, they threw up their hands
and exclaimed, "Oh that will never do. We
must make some movement for reform down
"a annoV S,nnn of thnn, told nln that