The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-07-08
ooion,, rrenno,m on Local Reform.

Colonel W. L. Trenholm has published q
pamphlet in which he gives an account OF
the chief political events iD South Caro-
lima since the war, with some reflections
upon the narrative and upon the present
state OF public affairs. The deductions OF
Colonel Trenholm, briefly stated, are, that
the consolidation OF the Republican party in
the State, and the failure Of every effort to
improve the character OF the government,
are due to the inconsiderate mipgling OF the
whites 10 the strife OF National politics, and
to a mistake made by the leaders OF the
Reform movement In other words, Colonel
Trenholm argues taat it was unwise, II natu.
raj, to make o fight against the validity ol
the Reconstruction Constitution in 1868, and
that it. was unwse for the Reiormers to
| nominate candidates in 1870, when, by
acting as an organized body, without candl-
dates OF their own, they could have exer-
cised decisive influence In the conduct OF
public affairs, either by impressing greater
conservatism upon the Republican policy, or
by acting as auxiliaries in an open conflict.
These are the present opinions OF the large
majority OF the white citizens OF the State.
They admit that it would have been better
.or them il they could 6sve known, four years
ago, exactly what the future would bring
fosth. The few who did see that the people
we're kicking against the pricks remained
silent, because, to use their own formula,
they did not wish to be killed on the sklrHish
,ine. But 1t is generally conceded that the
few we're right and the many were wrong;
and the white citizens, taking experience as
their guide, are ready to follow out any
practicable plan Of reform which may be
submitted to them. What Colonel Tren-
holm proposes in this regard is that the
friends Of reform abstain from the agitations
OF the Presidential contest, and make pub
lie spirited buslness-like effort to reform the
State Government in all it's departments.
He very properly says that any section OF the
Republican party that will put forward a
State ticket reasonably satisfactory on the
score Of capacity and Integrity will deserve
support from majorlt., Of the voters, and
will no doubt get it, il tie selfish desires OF
needy or ambitious men csa be suppressed.
The policy which Colonel Trenholm ad-
vises is already. adopted by the taxpayipg
citizens, and his pamphlet adds to the many
reasons why that policy should be perseuered
in until the State election is over. There ls
not public man OF note who has declared
himself In favor Of canvassing the State In
opposition to Grant aud Wilson. The De-
mocracy wisely resolved to be represented
In the Baltimore Convention, but they go no
further. There is 10 indication anywhere,
In the ranks Of the taxpayers, OF purpose
to organize any movement, connected with
National politics, which might interfere with
the plans OF the few Republicans who hon
estly work for State reform. With the same
siew, the Democrats determined to make
no nominations for State officers. They
hold themselves in readiness to support any
capable and honest Republicans whom the
other side may nominate. Colonel Tren-
holm, we believe, proposes nothing more,
and this is the disappointing feature OF bis
pamphlet. We had hoped that he would
have marked out line Of action, that he
would have given the taxpayers something
to do, that he would have offered them an
occupation less irksome than that OF lying
idle and waiting for a good government
to turn up. Surely sixty thousand white
citizens, possessing nearly all the property
and intelligence and experience in the State,
can do something for their own deliverance
A thorough organization, !! only an organi-
cation for doing nothing, would be better
than the absolute passivism ID which the
Conservatives are reduced. :
The Freedmen's Bureau, the Union League
and the Carpet-bag brigade are not alone to
blame for the trshble which has fallen upon
| the State. The people have not, In any
State election, used with vigor and Judgment
the means at their command. Sagacity and
culture, houses and lands, bonds and stocks,
are Of no value politically II the possessors
act as though they were penniless ignoram-
uses. The municipal election in Charleston
was not won by intimidation, or by appeals
to the intelligence OF the colored voters, or
by systematic passlvism. But every election
held In South Carolina since the war ended
could have been carried in the way In which
the Charleston election was carried. The
truth Is that the property and intelligence of
the State have not done what they might
have done to break up the Rings. Golden
opportunities have been allowed'to pass by.
Parsimony or calculation has strengthened
the Rings in their hour Of peril, and has
brought to an untlmely end every attempt to
force the public plunderers into the courts OF
the State. It is this which reduces the tax
payers 30 low. They lie at the mercy OF
men whom, if they would. they could out
argue, 'out-work and out-buy.
In conclusion, We cordially recommend
Colonel Trenholm's well-written pamphlet to
the attention OF the public. 1t is worthy
conpanionto the plea for freedom OF thought
and united action delivered by the same
gentleman before the Charleston Board OF
kI.y, thraa a