The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-08-27
COLUMBIA, S. G..
Wednesday Morning, August q. 1873.


"htso AuSo Va Ih0 AtOuea 10 OOluk Ill 1bfOT
of C;o,arism. There are but Eve States
OF the South which cannot, or do not,
from the various operations OF the Cen.
trail Government, rule themselves. They
are South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana,
Mississippi and Arkansas. Carpet bag
and negro rule, propped up by the bay
onets OF the Central Government, domi.
mates in these States. The other South
ern States, constituting the greater
number OF them, both in extent and po-
pulation, can. as matters stand, if they
please, rule themselves. The white race,
therefore, in these States, need not look
to Cosarism for relief from oppression
or ruin. It is to be presumed the white
race in the five aforementioned States,
subjugatcd to carpet-bag and negro rule
by the power of the United States Go.
vernment, that the Ohioago Tribune re-
fers to, when it tahirms, :..the whites OF the
South" should President Grant seek q
reelection, will be in favor Of Csesarism.
No people in theworld, either before or
after the formation of the Government
Of the United States, have ever mani
tested more devotion to the maintenance
of political liberty, by the forms of free
government, than the white race of the
South. The history of the United
States is grand commentary on this
fact. If now this race, or my portion
OF them, are or shall be prepared to ac-
cept OF Cm sarism. in preference to free
government, it must be because tie free
government abandoned is no free govern
ment at all, but is only form of despot-
ism; and even then, (although having
only q choice of despotism,) they may
not bo in favor of the form of Ce sarism.
That the white race in the five South
ern States We have mentioned, deem
themselves now laboring under central
despotism, irresponsible to them, there
can be no doubt; and that they would
prefer being put directly under the
military rule Of the army of the United
States. to the vile civil vicegerency rule
to which they are subjected, we pre-
sumo, is as little doubtful. Under the
army rule of the United States, there
would be direct military responsibility
which may not be inconsistent with the
protection to persons and property.
The army may have no power to lay
taxes; and if it had this power, being
outside OF political rings. it would have
no motive to Injustice. It would not be
the tool OF the Legislative robbers of
every kind. who fill the Treasury, that
they may rob it and create debts that
they may seize the money borrowed.
The rules aud articles of war might
render such abuses impossible; whilst
order might be enforced and honest in
dustry be protected. It is this prefer
.ence for the direct military rule of the
Government of the United States to the
civil rule of carpet baggers and scoun-
drels Of all kinds, that has, wo presume,
induced the Chicago Tribune to suppose
that "the whites" are in favor OF Cesar
ism. But what would be Cmsarism If
established but the very civil rule which
"the whitcs," to escape from. would
prefer the direct rule of an army? We
have it now. We have it here. II is
nothing but the rule of o Roman
Prefer, with legislative. judicial and
executive powers, all combining to en-
force his will! Is not that the Govern
ment of Louisiana as well as South Ca
rolina? Why, it is because we here
have practical Gao ;arism, that wo prefer
the direct rule Of Nh army. Are We,
then. to perpetuate by our approval and
action, the very thing we are groaning
under and seek to avoid? Shall we make
C;c ;arism perpetual, in order that We
get rid OF it? Cicsarism will naturally
be embraced by all the negroes, carpet
baggers and scalawags of the South.
1t was talked of in tho Custom Hous of
New Orleans, says the Picnyune, long
before it was thought of in New York.
But will this commend it to ''the
whites" Of the South? Can it bo fa-
vcrablo to them without power. when