Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-05-23

the promises and anticipations of four
years ago, and then look to see how
they have been fulfilled.
The young party Of 1868 resolved up
on a vigorous campaign against The
abuses fostered BY the pro slavery
spirit which had so long ruled the State.
It determined upon an honest, econom
ical but liberal government of the peo-
pie by the people. Education was to
he encouraged; the children of those
kept 10 ignorance for the conservation
of slavery were now to be furnished
with free schools; every encouragement
was to be extended to those desiring to
own land; taxation was to be equalzed
and all the people were to bear It's bur
deps; integrity, morality aud compe-
tency were to be the qualifications for
Office; all distinctions Of class aDd color
were to be swept away; the moral, ma
terial and political standing oF the pco-
pie was to be elevated by freedom and
equal rights. In fact political mel
.3enium'was looked for, and South Care
lima was to exchange her bad eminerce
as the hot bed Of treason and slavery
for one of loyalty, good government
and prosperity,
How have these expectations h e1
realized? How have these promis ses
been made good?
Are The people educated? Let Gu"
schools, closed for half the year and
languishiDg for means the other half,
answer. Are the people elevated to a
higher moral plane? Let our thou
sand grog shops be taken as an evi-
dence ofmoral purity. Have integrity
and capabjEty been :he qualifications
most sought after in filing Offices? Lei
he state Of our finances be the reply.
Have our rulers redeemed the State
from violence? Let martial law and
L. s. soldiers the keepers Of the peace,
tell the story. Have the burdens Of
taxation been Cqualized? Ask the m'r-
chants WHO are paying licenses to
State. county and town.
Undoubtedly the Republican party
has been a god-send TO indirjduGtS
Some who never earned a dollar by
honest labor have been lifted TO high
places aud now roll in wealth; some
whose impudence and rockies folly
should at once have consigned them to
merited contempt have seized upon
the stations of statesmen. Utterly
without shane, devoid of any ability
save cunning, destitute Of personal or !
political principle they have thus pros
tltuted the noblest political organjza-
lion OF any age.
who have been the greatest suff' RS
from this disregard Of promises, this
neglect of sacred duties, this wilfH' |
perversiOn Of the desiI o. the people:
1t is not the merchant whose enter
prise has been dGmpened; II is not the |
banker whose just expectations OF the !
profitable employment Of capital have |
been thwartcd; it is net the great /
planter whose lands have become a
burden TO him No! None of these |
are truly the greatest sufferers. To /
find these we must seek the cabins Cf /
the poor; in the freedman's hut, where (
he almost longs FOR the flesh pots of
Egypt; in the children growing up In ,
ignorance; in the youth corrupted by .
the license and excess born Of political .
chicanery, will be seer the true victims
Of the mismanagement and short COM
ings Of our party.
But there is rCs,rveda yet Tore Sc
rious evil to be borne chiefly by the
SINE class. Itwilj be found in the loss
Of confidence On the part of the great
body OF the people of The United States
in the capacity aud Willingness OF the
colored race to select suitable ruler"
and produce commendable local GOV
ernmao.. TSat confidence Vas born
pc earnest desire. st one time tsaem.
ed that the very life Of the country
klcpcnded upon the virtue and fidelity
! bf the colorcd man, and the experiment
Ipf universal suffrage seemed to be the
Fonlv panacea for oar many Ills.
The feeling that this experiment has
Gaied is spreading with such
ia idity that, unless check, d soon bya
change in the course Of our panty in
the South, it will create reaction .fot4j
to the rights and privileges of the col
ared race. The enemies of that race
are alert to take this tide of feeling at
It's food. For years they have been
apparently inert and hopeless This
is only part Of their game They
have watched with intensest glee the
fulflment Of their predictions Of the
bad results to spring from negro suf-
frage. they willingly bear their pres
ent rs ney gladly bear them. though
.-.. .;o,sl,. cr,,r,, blino For in