The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-10-22
Southern Folly.

IL MOulu UC w b"A'S -
the face of the earth where the demand
for political wisdom, ordinary common
sense, average sngacity, or the ability to
look mile or two outside Of ones circle,
and week or two beyond the present
moment, is in greater excess of the sup
ply, than in the sunny half Of the United
States. The South is given over to folly.
Ephraim is joined to his idols. The stu
alton in Louisiana offers ample proof of
the short-sightcdness of our Southern
friends, who are stupidity making them
selves our enemies. Our teleS9hic col
umns, yesterday and this morhirg, sufi-
cicntly indicate the situation and substan-
tiatc this compliment, to the Southern
gentlemen who are accredited as our al
lies. The condition presents several phases.
The martial ''reformers," in the Louisiana
instance, arc calling themselves u "White
League" They might as well call them.
selves Baptist League, or Presbyterian,
or lIottentot League. or Biped League,
as White League for the war in Louis
lana is not one of whites against blacks,
but of whites against whites. That is one
fact to be prominently placed alongside Of
the declaration in the Republican plat
form that the Southern States have been
splendidly reconstructed By the Republi-
can party, and that peaceful civil society
has been restored in the Southern States.
The character of the peaceful civil society
that has been restored, is evident from the
lawlessness which is denounced in the
proclamation and manifcstoes of the Anti
Keloggites and in the lawlessness with
which those protestants attack the usurp-
ing Government. Just here it is worth
while to say to our friends down in that
tropical land. that they apparently can not
allow the idea to enter heads or hearts
that lawlessness can best be stopped by
law and not by lawlessness. This is ans
other fact to make note Of The usurpa-
tions, violations of law, political outrages,
which are named in Mr.. Penn's procla-
nation to the people of Louisiana and the
country, are not painted in stronger colors
in the proclamations of these short-sighted
yiolators of the law who seek to enforce
the law by breaking law, than in the
speech of leading Republican Senator in
tho lasy session of Congress. Senator Car
penter, of the Committee to investigate
the affairs of Louisiana, had pictured the
condition in that State, speaking in the
Senate and to the country He had por-
trayed the usurpation. the lawlessness, the
overwhelming disregard for public Or
der and lawful government, which make
up the history of Louisiana for the last
few years in terms not less emphatic than
those employed by Mr.. Penn, "Lieutenant'
Governor" of Louisiana We admit the
outrages. but we denounce the methods
of remedy. If the question were based
upon the low ground of policy, it would
be true that the Louisiana idiots, when
they arm themselves in this cause, ar'
armng against themselves. They are
only deferring the day Of good govern
ment The field of battle for them is th'
ballot box there and in the nation. lie
the misguided New Orleanists tell the
country the truth about the things the.
are compelled to endure; but their exees
sive readiness to jump TO arms in time o
peace, is their formidable foe. Their roa'
to peace and good government lies through
the success Of the Democratic party. lie
not their folly make them the enemies o
their friends. - Cincinnati Enquirer.