The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-02-11
COLUMBIA. S. G.
Sunday ihornina. February IL. 1872.
Judge Orr for vIoe-Prcsident.


Judge Orr for Vioc-Prcsident.
The Union of Friday publishes COM
munieation recommending the nomina-
tion of Judge James L. Orr for Vice
President of the United States by the
State Republican Convention, which is
to meet on the 10Th instant. Judge Orr
would doubtless fill the Vice Presidents
chair with honor to himself and fidelity
to the country, but there is, in our
mind, more needful and useful field
for his services within the bounds of his
own State. We have entertained Ia
tent hope-engendered by observing his
great and increasing popularity with the
new party to which he has seen fit to
give his allegianoe-that Judge Orr
might again be placed in the gubernato-
rial chair Of the State. This admiration
for Judge Orr by the Radical rascals of
Scott's dynasty. if sincerely felt, as it
seems to be. is hard to be understood,
unless we attribute it to the fact that,
being about the only honest and able
man in the party, they experience in the
contemplation of his better character
the nearest approach to virtuous emo.
tion of which their grovelling souls are
capable. Be that Us it may, we feel no
hesitation in inserting that James L.
Orr can command more Radical votes
to-day in the State than r. Z. Scott, or
any other member of the party-and lie
as about the only man of the party whom
the white people of the State could see
made Governor without apprehension
and regret. He would be q vast i'm
provement certainly on the treaoherous
Ohio quack, who not only robs the peo-
gle, but has not the capacity to maintain
order in his satrapy.
Judge Orr is, in fact, the best able Of
any man we know to restore peace and
quiet to our disturbed community. stem
the tide of corruption that is permeating
every nook and corner of our State Go
vernment. and save the State, if even he
can do it, from the ruin in which she
has been involved by the reckless extra
~sgance and shameless venality of her
present rulers. Judge Orr has. more
than once, adopted line OF policy an
tagonistic to the sentiments and firmly
imbedded convictions of the intelligent
and patriotic citizens of his State. He
is regarded by many as time-serving and
unreliable in his political affiliations,
and as candidate cannot touch that
chord of enthusiastic confidence and es-
TEEN which the name of Hampton, Ker-
shaw and some othcr honored men would
awake. But his election as Chief Magis-
trate would not be distasteful to us.
It makes but very little difference. so
far as the substantial interests of the
State are concerned, what political party
controls the State Government. The
divide the country are national issues.
and State legislation has but little bear
ing upon or connection with them.
Whether the principles Of free trade
shall prevail. or the policy of q protect
i've tariff shall be upheld; whether the
United States is confederation Of CO.
equal powers, or is but one vast consoli-
dated republic. and the States but mere
vassals of despot. created by them.
selves, are important questions indeed;
bnt our locnl government cannot materi-
ally strengthen the one view or the
other. What we most need to relieve
South Carolina of her crippled oondi-
tion is an honest Legislature and wise
laws economically administered.
Judge Orr, however much his political
tergiversations may have lowered in the
esteem Of large class Of our people, is
admitted to be an honest man. He is
constitutionally honest--honest from
nature, education and moral conviction.
There nre men, We believe, of higher
moral perception than he. but none Of
more sterling integrity in the practical
business of life. We will say that much
for him. though he has proved recreant
to the political faith of his younger and
mayhap better years, and though he did