The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-03-28
Is there a LEGAL Remedy Z

Is there Legal Remedy7
The Charleston Neus, in series of articles,
has been urging the people to arouse from their
lethargy respecting the monstrous iniquities Of
the present State goyernmet, and seek to gain
redress for their wrongs and security for the
future through the interposition of the law.
Illegal and unconstitutional measures have
been enacted by the so-called law-making
power, and the executive officers have shame
fully disregarded their trusts in many instan-
ces. One after another burden has been placed
upon the toiling masses, until it now seems
that there is to be no resistance to the tide of
corruption and prodigacy which has swept over
the State for the last several years. In view of
these facts, oar eotemporary has sought to inn
press the people with the Importance of seek
ing the aid of the Courts in uprooting the
deviltry of the past, and providing remedy
at hand for the future. We concur with much
that has been said as TO the importance of in
voking the assistance of the Courts in this dire
extremity. Not that we profess to be familiar
with the legal aspect and bearings of any pro-
posed action, but that we have faith in the
protecting egis of Justice as administered
through our judiciary system, and in this view
we would hope and believe that the wrongs,
expressions and iniquities put upon an entire
people are rightfully matters of adjudication
FOR the Courts. But it would seem that what
is everybody's business is sure to be neglected,
and we would offer practical suggestion to
remedy this defect. Let ten, fifteen or twenty
men in each and every County Of the State
unite in taxpayers league, with the avowed
purpose of testing the legality and constitu-
tienaity of certain measures adopted by the
party in power. As basis for action, the
Validating Act and the Blue Ridge swindle
might answer every purpose. When the league
has been formed, and there is concerted
movement in this direction, let these persons
unite in the employment of the best legal tai
ent to carefully scrutinize all past legislation
and official action of the present State govern
ment, and ascertain the points upon which
there is probable ground to rest an appeal to
the Courts. Surely, the immense frauds and
gigantic swindles of the last twelve months,
whereby the public debt has been 80 fearfully
increased, are not so carefully guarded in every
respect that they are obliged to receive legal
sanction. The burden of this movement might
bear heavily at the outset upon auch as enter
the contest against the bloated and self-impor-
tant clique, whose rule has been ruin to the
common people. Yet we are satisfied that this
machinery once put in motion, with an earnest
determination to push vigorously against the
barricades behind which these gentry are en-
trenched, there is no doubt that abundant
means will be furnished to press forward in an
effort to destroy corrupt influences, punish
venal practices, and break the power of evil
combinations, thereby restoring to the common
wealth the prestige of justice and right triumph
ing over wrong and oppression. Is not this
consummation to be devoutly wished fort Are
we to stand by, silently and sullenly, witness
ing the destruction Of every hope for the future
of our State, ,lamentipg the hardness Of the times,
and plainly beholding present prosperity re-
tarded, without making some effort to prevent
the realization of ill-conceived gains and to
accomplish the overthrow of base, ignoble men
now IN fancied security and power? In the
name of Republicanism have these wrongs
been committed, and to professed Republicans
upon the bench we would make an appeal, be-
lievlng and trusting that the honor and integ-
rity of the judicial ermine will be upheld, that
right may gain a victory over might, even in
these degenerate days.