The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-12
COLUMBIA. s. G.
Wednesday Morning. June 10. 1872.
Tho Conservative Influence In tho Stat,
How It IL to bo Exe-sed.

any resuscltatlOn OF the Democracy ol
the State as a party, or any separate po.
litical organization of the property-hold.
ers whatever, is to be avoided, rs useless
and detrimental to the chances of that
reform in the State Government which
we hope to see inaugurated. and which
we know full we'll to be effeotual must
spring from the Republican party, must
be conducted by Republicans, and must
place Republicans in Office. The only
practicable good which the white people
can accomplish in relation to the State
'Governhent is to draw the better repre-
aentaGves of Republicanism to the front.
We cannot change the political nature
of the Government, but we may, per-
haps, improve the personal character of
the public officials. We cannot make
the General Assembly less Republican.
but We may, to some extent, amend it's
moral tone. We shall not be able all at
once to cleanse the Augean Stables en-
tirely. The oankers of official corrup-
tion are too old, and have sunk too Geep
into the body politic, to be at onco era
dicated, but we may stop their spread
and slough them off by degrees.
It will not be pleasing to many to
occupy this apparently subordinate posi-
.tion. The white people naturally feel
that they ought rightfully to have an
Immediate voice in their own govern
mant. which affects their interests and
is supported by their money. They do
not relish altogether that which looks
lske voluntary assignment of their
Affairs to the care of strangers, and not
vnry reputable ones at that. But that
which cannot be cured must be endured.
The best thing possible is the best, in
matters OF government. at any rate. AS
We cannot have exactly what we wish,
and what we know would be best, good
sense suggests that the next thing to do
.is to make the most Of what we have.
We cannot place South Carolina into
the hands Of those best fitted by charac-
ter, ability and interest to control her
affairs. but we may possibly make an
improvement upon the present. loath-
some set who occupy her positions of
power and trust. Let us, then, be oon-
tent to limit our efforts to the accom-
plishment OF this one object. Our mis-
take heretofore has been that we have
undertaken too much. We have shoul-
dered burdens which we could not carry.
We assumed the aggressive, when we
should have acted upon the defensive.
We laid down terms to the colored peo-
pie, when, being the weaker party.
numerically. we should have awaited
propositions from them. Our terms
were fair and just. but .os made them
there was where the shoe pinched. We
attempted TO lead. and desired to exer-
cise positive power in the State Go.
vernment. Such is our right undoubt-
edly, but it is right which cannot be
: enforced, and will not be conceded, so
long as theft can induce ignorance and
poverty to oppose it. We will now
adopt another, a wiser and even more
dignified course. We will cease to make
propositions to our colored friends only
to be rejected. cease to proffsr the hand
of friendship, to be pushed aside with
distrust, stop making appeals for votes
to be replied to with ieers. We will act
as balance OF power. and instead of a
positive. bring to bear q negative, inhu-
enoe upon the governs ment, which can
not foil to be beneficial.
IT there is no Democratic opposition
in the race for State offices, there will
certainly be two or more Republican
tickets in the field. The Unsuitable hun
ger for the spoils OF Office by the ring.
on the one side, and the necessity for
reform felt and acknowledged by the
better Republicans. on the other, per-
sonal ambition and rivalry, and variety
Of such like causes, must create contend
ing factions where there is not com
mon fear to unite them. Nov. without
taking sides entirely with one or the