The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-11-25
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Tuesday Morning, November 25. 1878
Or0anfxe.

worse than they were aware Of at the
time. Naturally bold and hopeful, con-
fident always in their integrity and in
the principles OF justice, they we're slow
to discern the causes which, added to
the losses and disasters of the civil war,
we're surely undermining their pros
3erity and sapping their political secu-
:ity. They went to work. supposing
hat, rs the war was over, resentment
against them would cease, and they
,hould be allowed to recover from its
,,rostrsting effects. But they we're wide
of true reckoning. While they kept
their peace. and scrupulously regarded
their pledges and promises; while they
toiled on in honest industry, seeking to
rebuild their homes and secure the con-
forts of life again, causes were put into
operation to despoil them of both po-
litical power and private earnings.
When they became fully awake to what
was going on, they found secret leagues
formed, aud the newly-made voters
massed as one man against them, under
strange leaders, with the words of peace
on their lips and the designs OF malice
in their hearts. Perhaps they were to
blame in part for this. Perhaps they
were not wise in making timely and
prudent concessions. They were unused
to and unequal to the arts Of sophistry
and deception. They were really una
ble to anticipate the injurious measures
which we're devisedand put into force
against them. They scorned secrecy
and indirection. Their error was one
OF over-confdence in the power of right
and in the future. Being on terms of
good understanding with their late
slaves in business relations, generously
according to these people the oppor-
tunities of improvement in fortune, in
telligence and position, it never entered
into their heads that they would form
new combinations under doubtful cha
racters, and desert them entirely. But
it vas done, and the evils 10 both races
have been greater than war itself could
lave inflicted.
It is natural to men to struggle and
Itrive to better their condition. Our
mloTed people took an unfortunate
,ourse to secure this worthy end. The
old white population, in the midst of
unparalleled difficulties amid the throes
sld oon-G!sions OF the social fabric,
with terrible odds against them.-kept
the even tenor of their way. endeavor-
ing to discharge their obligations to the
country at large, to the State, and to
their families. They have made good
6ght to preserve their civilization, to
retain the blessings of religion, sound
morals education, cultivated intelli-
gence and social order. While Isolated
cases of violence and outbreak may
have occurred under trying provoca-
tions, as q community they have exer-
,cised the virtues of fortitude and for
bearance in a remarkable degree. They
have been law.abiding and industrious.
They have sought to rebuild their pros
perity upon sure foundations. They
have pushed forward industrial pursuits
nth vigor. Re. establishing their State
agricultural Society, they added to it
he feature Of regard for mechanical
pursuits, and united the two interests
'nder their protecting care. Many SINH
ar County societies have been formed,
and have had fair success. The great
business OF agriculture and affiliated in
terests have been so advanced in the
State, that results equal to those secured
in rich Western lands have been at
tained. Whatever they have been able
to do. they have done, to further the
cause of education, morals and general
contentment. Private schools and col
leges, in successful operation, attest
their activity in this direction. The in
crease Of the public debt, the decay of