The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-06-18
The Administration Influence.

clare that the administration influence is of
no value nor importance in this State. They
allege with the most heroic Indifference that
the Republican party here need give itself no
concern as to the disposition of the Washing
ton authorities toward US. They point to the
last election, in which it was we'll known that
all the sympathies of Gen. Grant were with
the boiling movement, although nothing was
actively done to sustain it, They triumphant
ly ask, what did this Washington influence
amount to then, and what will it amount to
now9 Well, it certainly was of very little
avail at that time-frst, because it was not
exerted except in passive, moral kind OF
way; and, secondly, because the emergency
did not arise for its active interference. There
can be no doubt, however, that even the uncon-
cerned shadow of the Federal authority kept
the peace inviolate, and enabled the election
to reach its conclusion. Nor can there be any
doubt that the mere moral support of the
Government, which was not pronounced sufh-
ciently to be generally understood, had the
effect of carrying enough votes in this State to
have elected any opposition ticket, if the Con-
servatives had cared to countenance or support
it. Under ordinary circumstances, and in
peaceful election, we confess that this influence
would amount to very little more than the
weight of the Federal patronage, which is only
of any moment, in Charleston county. But in
campaign where the situation is mixed and
the passions inhamed, and where that influence
may be called upon to preserve the peace or to
save the State from anarchy and boodshed, it
is paramount and all-powerful, 1t has been
exerted in many of our Southern States, and
more than once in this State. 1t has always
decided the issue upon which it acted instantly
and without appeal. 1t has never needed a
second blow, and is stronger to-day than it was
yesterday It put the Democrats in power in
1865, and put the Republicans in power in
1868. 1t crushed the terrible Ku Klux in
1870, has commanded the peace, and enabled
US to have here free ballot and free carni-
val of mad legislation. In Georgia it stretched
out its hand and dethroned Legislature. In
Louisiana it stamped out the Conservative side
and established Republican government. In
Texas it refused to act, and Governor Davis
had to surrender. In Arkansas it spoke but
single word, anarchy fed, and the government
upon which it smiled now administers the Of
fairs of that people. 1t is at this moment
about to enter the Businesses of Utah, and,
through it's judiciary, stamp out that twin
relic of barbarism." What we mean by the
administration influence is the power of the
party which rules the country represented by
Gen. Grant and his administration, and we say
that whenever it chooses to Interfere 1T can set
up or knock down State Government. There
fore, we think that its favorable countenance
or disposition is Of the utmost interest and i'm
portance, particularly in South Carolina, and
especially On the eve of the impending election.
This influence is nothing more than the force
of public opinion, expressed through the power
of the Federal Government. 1t is this inhu-
ence and nothing else that keeps the troops
among US, and, perhaps, prevents some un-
pleasant accidents. Now, the whole effort of
the taxpayer, Democrats, or whatever else
you please to call them, has been to conciliate
and propitiate this influence. If they succeed
in enlisting even its pity, our cake is all dough
as sure as the balot-box is open at the polls.
And they have very nearly succeeded. The
press and people all over the country are hor-
rifed and disgusted at the condition of our
affairs Our bonds and securities are kicked
out of the market, and there is no capitalist SO
reckless nor speculator so insane who would
lend dollar on our "faith and credit" or in
vest even in any legitimate enterprise in the
State. We have just about got to the end of
our rope and the administration influence at
Washington has told US very plainly that if we
do not elect a Governor that the Republican
party and the Federal Administration can re-
sspect and sustain, and who, in his canvass, will
see that the Legislature is of the right mate
rial, why, then, some means will be taken to
turn US out upon the streets as sure as the au-
tumn sun rises and sets.-C0lun.bia Union
Herald.