The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-07-13
COLUMBIA. IS. G.
Saturday Morning. July IS, 1872.
A Suggestion to tho Reform Republic
cans


able number Of other prominent Repub-
licans in the State, have commenced q
crusade against the Scott. Moses ring.
They express determined purpose to
effect a reform in our State Government,
and to prevent a further continuance Of
the frauds, bribery and general corrup-
ton of the present regime, which has
mado reconstructed South Carolina a
Kissing aud by-word throughout the
Union. The condition of affairs in
South Carolina to-day is as damaging to
the Republican party as it is painful and
rainous to our own people, for it is due
solely to that party. or, at any rate, to
the present Administration at Washing
ton. which, in -reconstructing the State.
placed it in the hands of those who now
control it, aud has kept it there even at
the point of the bayonet for the last four
years. It is but natural, then, that
Grant and those who support him, feel
ing the burden which robbed and ruined
South Carolina is to him in his struggle
for ro- election, should desire to relieve
themselves as far as possible by taking
steps to rid themselves of Scott g. Co.,
and to place the fettered old Palmetto
State in somewhat more presentable
shape for the people of these United
States before that direfui Tuesday in No
vember shall come.
We believe, therefore. that there is
sincere purpose on the part OF the au-
thorities at Washington, aud OF such Re-
publican leaders in the State as are not
rogues, to do something for South Caro-
lima. They have been very slow about
it, and have sat now for three years and
more with perfect apparent satisfaction,
and allowed the work of plunder and
robbery to go on. But We are glad to
see them aroused even at this late day,
though they are spurred up in the main,
too, by purely selfish and partisan mo-
tives. The redemption Of the State is
matter Of too grave and vital Importance,
and too earnestly desired by our people.
to be rejected on account of any un.
worthiaesa in the means or the motives
bywhich it may be accomplished. We
are, therefore, willing to cooperate even
with Grant and Grant Republicans for
this good purpose. But there is limit
to this coalition, which we believe the
majority of the good white people of the
State are wiling to make with the Grant
Republicans. We will do anything for
State reform-simply anything which
We can in honor-that we may rescue
the State from the hands of the thieves.
So fer as that goes, we are willing to aid
Grant and the Grant party; but we will
not vote for Grant nor join his party
even to save the State, for the thieves
cannot hold it much longer any way, and
we caunot support Grant without stulti-
flying ourselves. and surrendering every
principle Of honor and truth, which are
dearer than life itself.
Judge Orr says we must do SO, that
the honest white men of the State must
declare for Grant and ally themselves
with what he calls the regular Republi-
can party, in order to counteract the
influence of corrupt carpet-baggers with
the colored people. We say to him that
we cannot accept the alternative. If the
colored people cannot unite with us upon
Mr. Greeley aud the Cincinnati plat
form, which is as explicit in guarantee
ing their freedom and equal rights as
that of Philadelphia. then We cannot
unite at this time. Judge Orr seems to
think that the mere votes of the 10000
conservative white men in the State is
not q sufficient aid to the Reform Repub-
licans. We must, in his judgment, go
in with the colored people and give them
the benefit of our counsels. We are
perfectly willing to do this. too. and in
our judgment it can be done without
our joining the Grant party. which
Judge Orr seems to think indispensable.
Here it is that we have suggestion to
offer to Judge Orr and the other Repub-
lican reformers, There is no necessary