The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-17
COLUMBIA, IS. C.
Wednes lay Morning, December II. '73.
our Do.vn,rodaon State.

Carolina, it is that ruin stares them in
ske tuee, and threatens to engulf their
&eoaes and property and the future COM
'hrrs and security of their wives and
az&iidzen. We have seen the decision OF
She Supreme Court of the State, which
Binds and legitimates claims against it,
~Which are in themselves odious and un.
,xSsi, and carry long STain OF :he most
disastrous consequences after them. Os-
Seusibly to connteract This judicial
action, and, to arrange the bonded debt
Szth the creditors Of tho State and bring
It within tolcrable limits, the General
assembly was called by the Governor in
sxtfa session. on the 21st Of October.
~Siace That duts,l the most ridiculous and
1anful speotuo.e has been daily exhibit
sd at the State House, OF utter incompe-
: tercy to consider wisely the grave issues.
aud of complete inability to take any ju
dioious step looking to the relief Of the
people. Its action has been the most
saonplete abortion ever known III the
Legislative History Of any country. Asa
people, VIC are much worse off to-day
\ theo we were when the session began.
We have repeatedly pointed out the
absolute necessity, in this crisis of our
: Affairs, of some measure being inaugu-
Arated by the conservative element-if
ssnere DC any-in the Republican party,
sxhich should point in the direction of
9zdi ustment of our difficulties, OF har-
auony OF olashing interests, and Of re-
Eorm OF the terrible abuses which rise
-oaorntain high on all sides. But none
AAas been forthcoming. Not on honest
svoice has been raised in favcr Of econo-
ny; II expenditures, Of moderate taxa
Eion or of effective check in extrava-
canoe. The old habit OF wasteful ex-
genditure has re.asserted lis power, and
Sesislation has been occupied mainly in
efforts to raise the wind by every sort of
~:4onbtful expedients, to meet lcgions of
suspicious claims. which pnss upon
':!heir attention with psrsistency and
force which the members have been ut.
1erly powerless to resist.
In this state OF things, we have, for
ssoue considerable time, thought that
,a.he Conservatives and property owners
Gsf TIE State would have to take action
sc .pretect themselves. We have, from
s.me to time, addressed them upon the
threatening sitnasions Of affairs, which,
1t was plain TO; pe, must + necassnrily go
OR getting worse. The Radical Repub-
iieau party can do nothing in the way
sh reform. The administration is
scmplete failure. The Legislature has
;suiy tue capacity to go Deeper down in
fLe mud and mire. It is time that the
people should realize the grave coEdi-
lion of uffAirs. and the grAver prospec cts
,1i,e.d- Will they heed this warning
Toice7 Will they take care OF them
>selves, aud resort to such remedies for
sGe .iutolerable evils which oppress them
$50 may be within their power while the
opportunity lasts? We are far from al
rising anything rash anything which
11iH re- 40; by galvAnizing again the old
lpsrty aud sectional spirit to which We
,re indebted for so much of our trouble
and distress. But we cay distinctly to
: ai1e people, that there ia serious crisis
'rs hand, grave emergency that must
90 mat: The call OF "Vidette." to be
1"and ln>-opr columns to. day. is com
Haended to Aair most earnest and se-
rsous consideration, It contains sug-
Egestion which does nos como a moment
eco soon. Relief we must laye in some
gay. and the course raoommenlei bv
f'EIdette" is peaceful, unobjectioua,,e
$50 cGcacious Lot rs take our case
&sefore tho country at large, aud lay the
zaet. lorable stute Of things prevailing
aere frankly and earnestly before the
Coitsd States Congress. The feeling in
she Northern States towards the South
IS bee oming more enlightened and tole-
a'ont. The people there arc getting
asliupses of the -misohievous consc-
1auences which have followed the unfor-