The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-11-23
The Conservative Phalanx.

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Legislature are lew in number. They are
strong, however, In theirsintegrity OF char
acter, iu their intelligence and culture, and
in the consciousness that they are the imme.
dlate representatives and spokesmen OF
those who bear the bulk OF the public bur-
dens. This should both spar them on aRd
hold them back. It should encourage them
to sleepless vigilance, while restraining
them from factious opposition to any mea-
sure of intrinsic merit Their very numeri-
cal weakness will lead them to reject the
promptings OF prejudice and passion, and
cause them to stand solidly together in de-
fence OF public right and personal privilege.
The Conservatives have confidence in them,
and they can, by their wise and liberal con-
duct, compel the respect OF their opponents,
and secure, in time, the support Of the whole
people.
The Conservative members will doubtless
consider well the general policy which they
should pursue. It Is evident that neither
they nor their constituents can afford to
make any contest In the legislative halls
solely upon grounds Of race or OF party.
Hard experience teaches the minority that,
II they would accomplish practical reform,
they must place themselves in the position
Of being the advocates OF the right, and the
foes OF the wrong, at all times and upon all
occasions. They must cause the Radicals,
as we'll as the Conservatives, to regard them
as band Of upright men who are sstriving
to purify the government and lessen taxa
tion, In the interest, not OF any class, but
OF the entire State. The better members OF
the Radical majority will then turn to
them for cooperation and aid. Whenever
one Radical wing is opposed to the other,
the Conseryate vote will have considerable
weight. Many Of the Radicals are poorly
instructed. They are ignorant OF the simp-
lest laws OF political economy, and too, often
strive to accomplish by crude legislation
what can only be obtained by personal labor
and letting things alone. Their errors are
frequently due more to inexperience than
to viciousness. The shrewder Radical MEM
.bers who know more are less honest, and
find 1t advantageous to keep their dupes in
the dark. This gives the Conservatives
broad field Of usefulness. They can ex-
pound and explain such measures as may
come before the General Assembly, showing
why these are likely to be beneficial or ipju-
rious to the people. And when q robbing
scheme is proposed-when bribery stalks
abroad-they can, by manly denunclation,
and by appeals to the higher impulses OF
some members OF the majority, WELD an in
fiuence which will make repetition Of
the huge swindles Of the past next to i'm
possible. The Conservatives have at their
back nearly the whole press Of the State.
With this, and the assurance that they
stand before the country as the champions OF
equal laws, equal rights and an honest ad-
ninistration OF public affairs, they cannot
fail to exercise salutary control over the
course OF legislation. Their power will be
in proportion to the breadth and liberality
of their opinions and the 10 flexible purity OF
their conduct. 1t is hardly too much to
say that the Conservatives can make or mar
the fortunes Of the people.
THE NEWS is not visionary sheet, and
does not expect impossibilities, but it has
faith in the staunchness, the common sense
and the vigor OF the Conservative members,
and believes firmly that these qualities will
enable them to do vast amount Of good,
and prepare the way for the coming OF the
new era when every man who cheats the
public shall, instead Of being praised for his
| smartness, be hunted down and condemned
as the enemy OF every honest citizen.