The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-18
COLUMBIA, S. C.
Sun .ay Morninx. February ls. 1872.
Radioal Reform.

Radical Reform.
Last year. on account Of the disclos-
ares Of the gross frauds perpetrated by
the Tammasy ring, the State OF New
York was lost to the Democrats. A
large number OF honest msl. though
their fidelity to the principles of the
Democratic party was mistaken, were
Mortified at the shameless corruption in
which the Tsmmany leaders were enve-
loped; and. beguiled by the loud protest
atoms of the Republicans for reform,
joined with them to defeat Temmany,
and to place the government of the State
under the control of their own political
opponents. They could. it is true.
scarcely have done otherwise, for any
experiment was preferable to the conti-
nuance Of the rule OF the Tammany ring,
which had been unquestionably guilty
of rohbing the public to the amount of
miliiona Of dollars; and it was reasona-
BILE to hope that almost any set OF men,
however doubtful their integrity under
ordinary circumstances, would, reAeoting
upon the popular indignation aroused
by the evil practices of their predeces-
sors, refrain, at least for a season. from
engaging in similar offences. They
have, however, been grievously mis-
taken, and most sadly imposed upon.
Our New York exchanges, irrespective
of party proclivities, are denouncing the
present Legislature rs equally venal
with the one for which it was substi.
tinted. This is startling announce.
ment Ours is, indeed, an age OF legis-
lative corruption and official dishonesty.
It would be nothing so extremely sur
prising or specially disheartening, to
learn that General Assembly of the
State of New York, elected under ordi-
nary circumstances. was infected with
the same poisonous atmosphere at AL
bany that's hsngs dank and heavy about
the legislative halls Of Washington. and
at nearly every State capital in the Union.
But when it is borne in mind that this
General Assembly OF the great State of
New York is the result OF q mighty up
rising of the people in the interests of
honest and economical government;
when the hearts of the masses were
stirred to their very depths, their wrath
aroused and fears excited to the fullest
extent by the great wrongs inflicted
upon them by thieving and unscrupu-
lous of1ioials-there is cause for grave
alarm. It would seem that there is no
hope of checking the tide Of corruption
that has swept over the land. or Of
wrestling our Government from the
hands of public plunderers. The rogues
are in the majority, we are led to fear. at
least in point of wealth and influence;
and the honest men that are left, are in
a1equade to successful effort to cast
them ont from positions of power, and,
in former days. of trust and honor as
we'll.
I. is high tims that the American peo-
pie revert to FIRST principles. The boast
cd progress Of the age is miserable fal-
lacy. The cant about progressive ideas,
keeping apace with the march of civil
zation. Sc, is simple humbuggery, that
knavcs whisper in the ears Of fools,
while they are riaipg their pockets.
In the more desirable elements OF
civilization, we are fsr behind our fore
fathers. In material development, O
section Of our country may have made
rapid and astonishing strides; bnt what
We have gained in that respect, is more
than counterbalanced by what we have
lost in moral tone and healthful intellec-
tunl life.
Where Doca the Money Go!
There has already been appropriated