The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-07-18
WooDwARDs, s. O.. July 16, 1873.

WooDwARDs. s. O.. July 16. 1879.
MR. EDITOR: I had the opportunity OF
reading; yesterday. the Union. Herald: of
the 7th instant. was surprised to find
therein such an open. candid confession
o! tho o0nplcts rottenness OF the Re-
publican party. In an editorial on the
subject Of the debt. we find this SEN
tence: "The Republican party values its
honor too high to be seduced into repu-
diation by the Democratic press" This
would be-, perhaps, passed over, with
the usual smile which is seen on the
face of intelligent men, {Republicans
not excepted,) when the honor Of the
Republican party is spoken OF; but in
the next column, in on editorial on the
subject OF the contract With Colonel
SPrague, wa find the following: 1T
might be easy enough to go into the
courts or tho Legislature on a breach Of
contract; but the@Spragues are men OF
millions, and to such men the law is in
dulgent, if not in it's final judgments, at
least in it's proverbial delays. The Ls.
gislatnre and the courts OF this State and
OF the United States might be made to
play at battle-door and shuttie.cock.
with such a case, for the next decade, :"
NC. Now, was there ever more disgrace.
full confess;on? To whom, Mr.. Editor, in
days gone by, the "benighied days." as
1 have heard them called BY sorae OF the
canting hypoorites. called by some minis
ters of the Gospel, who came TO teach
us religion and morality-to whom wcro
the youth of the State pointed for e1-
amples of pure aud upright men? Was
it not to the Judges of the State, to the
Senators and Representatives of the
people? In those days, to have seat in
either house was an honor indeed, and
the possession Of it sure Indication OF
tho honesty. and integrity of the pos
SCISSOR. Now what do we see? a lead.
ing Republican journal acknowledging
that 1T would not be safe to commit an
important case to the courts, for
fear OF the influence that might be
brought to bear upon them by
Sprague's money. Further on, he says:
when this was done, {when the canal
was sold,j it was done during what we
may call tho gift enterprise age of
the State. $1,000 or $4,000 in State
bonds were given away for one dollar in
greenbacks; railroad bonds, worth
", 600 apiece. were given away for one
dollar apiece" &c. TO our surprise, the
writer il disposed to grow facetious over
the criminal and dishonest gift enter
prise age" OF the State. But does any
one suppose that it is the honor of the
party. or any great reformation in the
morals of the party, that has caused this
gift enterprise business to cease? (if
ceased it has.) Does not every one
know that the business would be as brisk
to-day as 1t ever was, were it not for the
fact that there is no sale for the tickets?
that they cannot scarcely be given away :?
that this party, which values its "honor"
so highly, has brought the State to such
condition. that the proceeds of the sale
OF its bonds will hardly pay for the
printing? The material is exhausted, a
lev crumbs only are left, and over these
they ure quarreling. It is not surprising
that the great mass Of ignorant, unedu-
Gated colored people who form the ma
jofity of the party in the State should be
Its supporters; but il is surprising that
SO many OF the intelligent, well-to do
oolorcd men should be numbered among
its supporters. and with whom it Should
be o matter OF pride, as well as of pecu-
mary interest, to SEQ the government Of
the State in the hands Of honest men.
The writer closes by hoping the city may
soon be started on the road to wealth
and prosperity, but We venture to assure
him that neither the city or State will
get on that road as long as the fingers Of
tho Lawmakers and judges can be made
to tingle by Mr.. Sprague's or anybody
else.s gold; or as long go the successful
issuing Of fraudulent bonds, pay certifi-
Gates, &c. is regarded as smart trick.
A few stately houses may be built. some
OF them perhaps by mon who had q
finger in this ''gift enterprise" business,
but genuine, healthy prosperity cannot
come until the aFlirs OF the State, in all
its departments, are honestly admins
tered aud by honest mon. H.J.
The ATLANTIC, TENNESSEE AND On1o
RAILROAD CoMrANY.-The annual meet
ing Of the stockholders of this corpora
ton was held Mt Statcsvile, n. c.. on