The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-12-24
s. g.
Wednesday Morning, December "a. rs
No Good Reason Against Appealing to
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No Good Reason Against Appealing to
"a Sr the country.; ~
The Charleston NeDs takes occasion
to object to the plan of action suggested
by "Vidette," in our columns. for the
relief OF the people from the intolera.
ble evils imposed upon them by the
present condition of things in this State.
We will notice its objections In order,
First, it says that If the oranges and
farmers clubs should send representa-
tives to q convention, entire State repre-
sentation would not be secured, because
they do not exist in every County.
There is something in this objection.
But we are sure that neither 'sVidette"
nor ourselves, who endorsed his propo-
sition, meant to limit the public action
to be taken to oranges and farmers
clubs 1t was rather the purpose to
designate the most prominent organized
body in the State representing its pro-
perty, intelligence and character, to be
the leader in 80 important movement.
Other elements were expected to come
!e:wsra, s;ys is aid. and widen it's
scope, once it was initiated. and the
public interest fairly aroused. It was
certainly not the purpose OF "Vidstte"
to restrict the effort to be made within
exclusive or larrow bounds. He would
be glad to Welcome to an honorable
place the organization which the Ne,os
declares to be at our doors. The inten-
tion is to get the fullest concert OF ac-
tion and band together all available in-
fuences in opposition to tho prevailing
corruption and pro1igaoy. and drag
them before the bar of the general pub
lic opinion of the whole country.
The second point made by the Ne.Os.
that the movement would be political.
and that the grangers are prohibited, in
the terms of the constitution of the
order Of Patrons. from engaging in po-
litioal discussions, is Of little moment.
The movement contemplated could not
be considered political in any odious
sense Oar people those who would
be expected to take part in it-are not
in !, politics. They are debarred that
high privilege and prerogative. The
remedy they would seek. by an address
to the people Of the United States, and
by petition to Congress to interpose
its influence, II pot its power directly,
to save them from pauperism and degra-
dation. is .eminently peaceful, aud far
removed from strife of parties and fac
tions. The endeavor to secure it would
be liable in NO sense to the imputa.ion
OF being political or partisan device.
The right OF petition is sacred and in
violable. The light and duty, by con-
cert or by individual effort, to make just
representations Of an evil condition of
things. and thereby to effect an improve
ment in it. cannot be questioned. We
are in sad plight at best; bat il we are
to be prohibited. upon such pretence as
this, from, asking the general public
opinion to consider our grievances; if
we are to be thus shut of from all power
or means Of appealing to the sense of
justice of the whole oountry-then are
we in a more pitiable condition than We
were aware Of,
But this, last resort is within our
power. II is the only effective means
left US of bettering our condition. It
can do us no harm, at least 1t is worth
earnest trial. twill, in cur view, have
effect both abroad and Mt home. Already
we think we see some good produced
here by it's bare enunciation. It has
awakened the fears of the Radicals, and
put them to thinking OF possible consc-
qusnces to result from persisting in their
reckless course. The measures of legis-
lation which they have just adopted bear
upon them the impress Of this dread.
a few weeks ago, it was conf lently ex-
pected that they would place the tux
levy ut twenty or twenty-five mills.
There WAS good reason for thinking so.
But they have worked down from these
figures TO fifteen mills. They have also
l.