The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-28
Elect Your Best Men.

There are eight or nine Counties in
our State, suoh as Anderson, Pickens,
Oconee, Greenville, Spartanburg and
others, in which the white people have
clcar majority, and can eleut whom tLoy
please to County Offices. and to repre-
sent them in the General Assembly.
The delegates from these Counties have
by the Reconstruction Acts, the only
modioum of representation allowed to
the property-holders or white citizens OF
the State. They have not, heretofore,
been sufficient in numbers to prevent
mischievous or corrupt legislation by
their mere votes, and therefore mono of
it is ohargeable, properly, to them. Still,
they have not entirely met the expecta-
tions of the Conservative citizens of the
State. They have generally voted right,
but, with few honorable exceptions,
they have not been active and earnest
in their denunciations of wrongs and
frauds which were being committed
under their very noses by their scheming
and venal associates OF the Radical per-
suasion.
The Republicans, indeed, have repeat
edly charged that some of the Demo.
Gratis were no better than themselves,
aud we're equally ready to engage in ILL
CIT legislation when they were allowed
to share in the spoils. We are slow to
give credence to such Infamous charges,
especially as we know that the Demo
Gratis, with very rare exceptions, recorded
their votes against all swindling mea-
sures. It serves to show, however, the
necessity for the selection of men of
irreproachable character, and also of
ability and experience, SO far as is prac.
ti,nble.
We have had enough of halfway COM
promise men, such as the Democrats in
the Legislature have frequently been.
Even if they are honest and faithful to
their public trusts, they have no power,
and exert little. if any, influence. SO
far as practical results go, such men
might ns we'll stay at home. One earn
est, capable member, able and willing to
speak persuasively. is worth to us in the
present General Assembly dozen ordi.
nary men, Of small calibre, who conflne
their Legislative efforts to voting aye or
nay upon the questions as they are put.
A gentleman of high character and
ability will command the respect and
esteem of the very worst men, and will
exercise powerful influence over them.
The voice of one honest man will put to
flight legion of thieves. In ordinary
times, electors may be allowed to crafty
their personal preferences for individuals
in the selection of public officers. without
serious detriment to the interests of the
community. Now, however, when OF
best we can secure but small minority
in the Legislature, it is incumbent upon
every good citizen to set all other con-
siderations aside, and vote not for the
man he may like best, but for him who,
he knows, will be able to render the best
service to the State.
There have been two causes, in our
Judgment. which have heretofore him
dered the white Counties from selecting,
in oil cases, their ablest and best men to
represent them in the State Government.
In the first place, gentlemen of cha
rlcter, such as had been wont in better
days. when public Office was mark of
distinction and honor, to accept posi-
tions, were disinclined to be thrown in
with such disreputable crew as they
knew would be congregated at the State
House.
In the second place, the best men in
our State were, as rule. the most pro-
minent in the war, and those, too, who,
from an advanced age, were not active
participants in the clash OF arms, were
identified with the past history of the
State.
It was very generally conceived that
men like these would be especially dis
tasteful to the negroes, and with view,
therefore, to counting the negro vote