The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-16
COLUMBIA. s. G.
Thursday Morning, May l6, 1872.
Tho Democratic Convention.


that we could see no possible good that
suoh meeting could effect; while, on
the other hand, it might commit. what
in our judgment would be an act of con-
spicuous folly. by placing Democratic
candidates Tor Presidential honors in the
field. It seems far preferable to us,
who regard the success Of Liberal Re-
publcanism as affording the only prac-
tical method of reforming the Govorn-
ment and relieving the oppressed South,
that the liberal Democrats should quietly
give their support to Greeley and Gratz
Brown, than that convention should
be called to endorse tho nomination
formally, or to repudiate it entirely.
Since, however, the convention is to
meet, it becomes the imperative duty of
the South to secure her proper share OF
representation in it, and to shape and
determine its action in accordance with
her views OF what is expedient and pro-
per. There is but one opinion in the
South with regard to making Democratic
nominations, and that is, that such
course would insure the reelection of
Grant, or whatever other Southern
hating Radical the Philadelphia Conven-
tion may nominate. This, OF all things.
the South would wish to see avoided.
There are no such mighty advantages
that Democratic President can offer over
the honest old farmer of Chappaqua. as
to induce US to forego the election of the
latter, and risk our absolute ruin upon
the desperate chances of the former.
We in South Carolina-and we can
speak with the same certainty OF Florida,
Mississippi and Louisiana-are not in
condition to stand upon mere theoretical
principles of Government. We need
substantial relief, and that right quickly.
This rule of political adventurers and
unscrupulous villains is intolerable.
No people, however prosperous their
circumstances, much less when in the
prostrated and shattered industrial con-
dition that South Carolina is, can stand
tax of from $50 to $40 on 81. 900, and
have all the money squandered or stolen
besides, and not one cent devoted to
public improvements, or consideration
OF any nature whatever received. What
do we care about the principles OF Mr..
Jefferson, more than those of Mr.. Hamil-
ton, or any other man, that we should
aternly advocate them, at the imminent
peril of being subjected for the next
four years to the same grinding oppres-
sion and wholesale thefts which has been
our lot for the last three? We fail to see
how there is any sacrifice OF political
principle in supporting Greeley and
Brown. upon q platform violating no
essential doctrine of Democracy. And
evon il We did, we are inclined to think
that there should be some higher duty
than that of fidelity to political princi-
pie, to induce any rational community
for its sake to undergo again what we
have experienced under carpot-bag mis-
rule.
Having the public debt quadrupled in
less than four years; having 50. .00O 900
added to it one year; having q tax of
$5.000,000 levied on property worth less
than $3.50. 600. 900, when tax of $780,
900 amply sufficed; when there was pro-
perty worth $3.50. 600. 900 from which to
pay it; having to see. Notwithstanding
this monstrous e1action of money from
an impoverished people, the pauper
lunatics starving and soon to be turned
out of doors, the State Penitentiary
threatened with dissolution, the public
achools suspended, and no money in the
Treasury. even to pay the judges of the
courts, are not light burdens to bear.
Their repetition is by no means charm
ing prospect, and we would rather vote
for old Horace Greeley, if thereby pro-
mise OF relief is given us, than throw
away our suffrages upon as worthy man
as even Thomas Jefferson was. merely
for the sake Of his revered principles.
ID