The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-09-09

VIEWS OF Elk. GovERNoRl AKEN.-The
| Ex-Governor of South Carolina was
called upon by the Herald reporter, in
the psrlor gof the Spingie. House, and
readily consented to give his views on
C@sarism.
''The fact is, said he, 81 suppose the
agitation Of the subject may do much
good, and certainly it can do no harm.
The people Of this country should be
kept awake to all the exigencies threat
ening the republic. Conspiracies are
only dangerous when carried on IL the
dark, aud the light of newspaper, like
the Herald on such dark designs as
Cmsarism will destroy it.'
'Do you think President Grant man
OF shrewdness and stamina enough to
venture on such measure?"
"Oh, yes! I think he is shrewder
than we give him credit for; but the
American people are much shrewder.
They will not permit any overturning OF
our republican institutional"
'Do you think third election will
Indicate march toward monarchy"
1es. and very long step that way,
too. The two. term precedent has been
so firmly established. that third term
at this time will mark wide divergence
from established views and prepare the
country for the final STEP We ought to
nave seven years term, aud no eligi-
bllity for reelection. It would be our
| wisest conrse. The constantly recurring
tumult of the Presidential election is u
great trouble to many sincerely Republi-
can citizens, who prefer, nevertheless, a
stronger Government to the turbulence
of every four years."
"Are we not tending gradually to-
wards stronger Government?"
Undoubtedly. And the great CAPT.
talists and rich corporations wish it.
The Government has already become
almost paternal, and think, if Jackson
| were in the chair and had not his very
strong sense Of dnty to stay him, we
might find ourselves in the midst of
very lively times. Ii lie had sharp
and clever son to succeed him, he might
spring the coup d'etM upon us. But I
doubt if Grant has the clear headed viii
lainy needed to carry out the operation. -
"What do tho Southern people think
OF C:osarism?'
They do not care fig what sort of q
government tue Government at Wash
ington is-not fig. They have been
so completely shut of from all partici-
patton i'll it, that if it were made mo.
narchy tomorrow, very few of them
would express either surprise or interest.
For myself, I claim to be q. thorough
American; and shall always hope that
our experiment of republican govern
ment. if experiment it may be called,
after nearly hundred years of trial,
shall succeed and be great and glorious.
We have continent as broad almost as
the face OF Europe. with all the varie-
| ties of climates in it and all varieties of
people, and we ought not to be sur
prisod il differences arise and petty sec
| tional jealousies assnil us. But these
ought not to be tho worst evils to be
apprehended. The great working mass
of Americans are not likely TO give up
their right to the ballot just when mo-
narchical nations are consenting to give
that right to their working classes; and
talk as We may of corporations. cliques,
rings and politicians. the working and
the agricultural Glasses rule this coun.
try. So I think the danger of Cmsarism
lies only in its concealment. and when il
is forced into the bright light of day by
the powerful reflector which, 1 must ad-
mis, the Herald casts upon it, its danger.
Gus elements evaporate."