The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-09
Who is Respoasible3

A Washington correspondent of the
Phtenir, after dwelling upon the mis-
and abuse to which the
South has been subjected at the hands
of Northern journals, concludes his let
ter with the following paragraph III
which he seems to justify the taunts
and sncsrs of our enemies, at our alleged
imbeclity and lethargy:
II am too much away from the State
to know what the political in-look is at
home, but am sure the political out
took for South Carolina at Washington
is indeed gloomy. The name is never
spoken but in pity or ridicule. The
whites of South Carolina have no
friends here and not many elsewhere,
in my opinion. The Republicans to
whom 1 speak denounce Moses and
laugh ut our submitting to such guber-
material degradation. A New Yorker
said to me: "If Gov. Dix had done as
Moses did, he would now be cracking
stones with Boss Tweed" "A Wiscon-
sin man said: "Carpet-bag rule would
not last in my State twenty-four hours. i"
And q Pennsylvania Quaker, in the
beautiful valley of the Cumberland,
inquiring particularly about South Car
olina, replied to my assertion that we
were doing pretty well: "Well, sir, l
once admirep South Carolinians, but
you have lost your claim to admiration
by not making manly effort to crush
out your corrupt government" SINH
lar remarks, Mr.. Editor, are constantly
made to me in my association with men
ali over the North. This last remark,
alas! was too true. Has South Carroll
ma ever made an effort to relieve herself: >:
Not that am aware. True, we did Sc
lect one of our best men and tried 10
win by making him play second flddie
TO q carpct-bagger; II hope WON'T
be arrested for contempt Of Court;) but
was there anything in that policy to
induce the true South Carolinian 10
make an effort to secure political re-
form? Not ut all. And unless We 90
make such an effort this fall and secure
a majority in our State Senate, we are
worthy the Government we will get and
the opinions outsiders express OF u.s."
But will the writer himself, before ta-
king part with our detractors, propose
some possible plan of relief from our
troubles, and thus earn the gratitude OF
our people? We suppose that he will
scarcely counsel q resort to secreet vio-
lence, and thus bring abouta repetition
of the ku-klux troublcs-or advise our
people to appeal once moro to arms and
vindicatc our courage at the expense OF
our discretion? Let him come home
and not only point out but lead the way?
We very much fear that distance has
obscured his vision, at the same time
that it has given stimulus to his 1850
luton. What more can we do? Or
ganize, and by so doing incite counter
organization, where our foes are two to
one against us? Put State ticket in
the field, and make melancholy eHhi-
bition of our imbecility at the polls?
We have tried that already and perhaps
owe our failure to the "bourbonism" Of
inst such men as the writer, who reject
all compromise and refuse to support
q ticket that has on it the name of
carpet-bagger. Where there is chance
of success we believe that our people are
making it, and have more to fear from
the rashness of would-be leaders, than
from any apathy in their own ranks.
Show them a chance and they will once
more rally to the breach.