The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-01
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Sunday Morning, March l, 1874.
The Counter manifesto.

SoutiouS dcub W tuo ~ uAteu otatoo OoA
gress, is remarkable for the condensed
force of its arguments, and It's brief but
telling array of facts. It has gone forth
as an authentic revelation OF asstato Of
things in South Carolina, which we're
but imperfectly known to the American
people, and were calculated to startle
them. Moderate and restrained, as it is
in expression, it exhibits evidences OF
abuses, corruptions and crimes here.
which are Disgrace notonly. .tQ. Repub.
lican institutions. but to civilization
itself. The publigmen and journals OF
the North have discussed very earnestly
and dispassionate]y tho grave problem
of our condition, and proposed several
remedies Of relief. Some mode of ex.
trioatioh will no doubt be found in time
for,the wrongs perpetrated here, which.
while taking effect mainly upon our
people, concern the whole country. The
alleged wrongs Of slavery were such as
to inspire crusade, which marshalod
the forces of public opinion, Congress
sional legislation and the strong arm Of
military power, nnd the use of armies
unsurpassed in modern times, in num-
bers and equipments, to suppress them.
One form of slavery has been over
thrown, but another moro hatefnl has
been established. we need not repeat
the specifications Of the memorial. We
need not adduce other testimony in the
case. The matter has gone to the whole
country for its consideration. Who
ever wishes to know more fully can find
abundant evidence. The more scruti-
nizing the inquiry, the better for us.
We should be glad if Congress should
appoint committee of investigation to
come into the State and push investiga-
tion in every department of the State
Government, aud in every corner of its
territory.
The reply to this mastery document,
sent out Friday by the Central Republi-
can Committee, while evasive and in
correct throughout, admits enough to
rial in all essential particulars. 1t is q
confession of guilt. It acknowledges,
for instance, that the citizens who com.
plain that they have been debarred, con-
trary to tho intentions OF Congress,
from becoming partakers of the rights
enjoyed by citizens OF the United Suites
and other State Governments, state q
fact, bat one for which they have only
themselves to blame. It is hard to ad-
just exactly the proportions of blame
on different parties for events which are
passed. We oan show just the COL.
Irary VI Sni. .lu,emonu y. ..o C.-.--. -. !.
Committee in some matters which came
under our personal observation. But
we pass that by, noting only the con-
cession which the committee uncon-
scio1sly makes.
Nor shall we concern ourselves with
its special pleadings as to the expendi-
lures of 1865-66, as compared with
those of 1873. nor with its poor expla-
nation of the increase of the public
debt. 1t is certainly unhappy in it's re-
ference to the increased number of sala-
ried Offices, large number Of which
are utterly useless, and many positively
mischievous and only used to debauch
and mislead the ignorant. They point
&c .ha establishment of schools and the
diffusion of knowledge among the
masses. The reports of the public Of
fcers show not one Of the institutions Of
this State to BIO upon satisfactory
basis. The most melancholy reading is
furnished in those of the Superintend.
ent of Public Education. The common
school system has proved an utter abor-
ton from beginning to end The money
appropriated Tor schools is only paid in
small part, and that does no real good.
Tho schools are o mockery of educa-
.ion, and the South Carolina University
is utterly PROSTATE. It is sham, and
serves the use OF q retreat for miserable
imbeoiles in the professors, strangers
pouoIlv IN the Stata md nts,o lo,s.,