The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-01
Tho Situation.


bly, most critical one. A Presidential
election is to come off before the close
OF the year-a Presidential election
which, when we come to reflect upon it
IN all Its bearings, is perhaps the most
important that has ever been held. The
American people are used to hearing of
crises. Every blatant demagogue or
pot-house politician, when he wanted to
be particularly impressive, has talked
about 'crisis" for lol these many
years. There is no mistaking the fact,
however, that this time a genuine politi.
cal Crisis Is upon the country-a crisis
that involves the settlement Of questions
OF the most profound interest to them.
We have never doubted, as we do not
now donbt, the loyalty of tie masses of
the people to the constitutional Govern
ment established by the fathers. Unhap-
PLY, however, party has taken the place
OF patriotism with too many of them.
Occupied with the business and cares of
everyday life, the majority of people
are not unnaturnlly willing, in ordinary
times, to turn over to the politicians the
management of public affairs. This
worked we'll enough whilst politicians
were yet conscientious in tho discharge
OF their duties and true to the people
whom they represented. But, as ancient
Rome, pure as Lhe administration of her
affairs once was, finally saw her highest
Offices put up to barter, 80 things have
gone on from bad to worse with uy. until
the most fragrant violation of law or tho
Constitution ceases to cause surprise.
onprlncipled demagogues have not hest
tated to avail themselves of the passions
and preJudices Of the late disastrous civil
war to draw closely the bonds of pnfty,
hnd render the people, as far as they
could, obiivlous to their selfish purposes
and rninous policy
rms 1t has come about that the coun-
try is in a most deplorable co... iition.
An enormous public debt has been
created, the evidences of which the peo-
pie see in the hoavy taxes which they
hove to pny, as we'll as in almost every
thing they eat, drink or wear. Not only
IL this the case, but the taxes imposed
upon them to meet the interest on the
public debt have been so arranged as to
exempt preferred and privileged class
of bond-holders, and the tariff on foreign
lmportations so regulated as to compel
the people of the rest of the States to
pay premium for New England manu-
factures and Pennsylvania iron.
Venality and corruption prevail in
every department of the Government.
Once it was considered that the Office
holder was but public servant whose
duty it was to discharge his trust faith
fully and conscientiuusly; but now, if
we are to judge from the many expos
ures OF fraud and corruption in high
places. the accepted doctrine is that the
Office was made for the man, and is it to
be turned, honestly or dishonesty, to
the greatest personal profit. These
things are bad enough, but they are not
the worst phases Of the present admin
stration of public affairs. The consti-
tuition has practically become nullity,
usurpation and tyranny are resorted to
without compunction for personal and
partisan purposes, and the tendency is
strongly In the direction of consolida-
ton and Capitalization.
Without the constitution this Govern
ment is naught. It is the foundation of
our national superstructure, the very
essence of our political system. TIE
strict observance of its provisions is q
necessity for tho preservation of the
Liberties of tho people. Yet it is notori-
Gus that with those now in possession Of
the Government the constitution is Il
Uonu AOCIoi. 4ulfluBcmonlS are uulCSl-
tatingly made on the reserved rights of
the States, and in portion of the States
the most outrageous usurpations and
prosecutions are practiced by Federal
authorities for partisan and personal
ends. A large portion of the Union,
comprising States that once exported
more than all the rest together, has be.
come little better than desolate waste.
through the acts of the unscrupulous
rulers into whose hands the management
Of national affairs has fallen.
1t Is clear that there must be q speedy
return to constitutional administration.
or our republican liberty will be lost
forever. The corruption, usurpation and
centralizing policy of those in power,
leave not tho slightest doubt Of that.
For years, these things have been in
progress, until now at last the final con.
test is about to take place between the
friends of the old constitutional Govern
ment and tho advocates and champions
Of tho new order OF things. At the ap-
proaching Presidential election, the issue
that has been joined will be decided.
President Grant is, of all men, the pro-
per representative of those who desire a
change in our system of Government,
for it has been under President Grants
administration TINT most of fjo ,rooroou