Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1874-08-20

CAMDEN, 5. W July II, 1913.
Ny DEAR SlR-Your vasaed favor Of
the llth instant is before me for reply.
l have arrived at certain conclusions in
my own mind in regard to the matter up
on which you desire the expression OF my
opinions, and l give them for what they
may worth.
y " .4e restoration Of an honest, economical
lad competent government to South Caro-
lima at this juncture I consider the para
mount duty Of her citizens. Such means
and such sacrifices, consistent With honor,
must be resorted to as may be found neces-
sary, practicable and expedient to accom-
plish that end With us it is no longer a
question of Repnblicanism and Democracy
The struggle is for an honest government
under which we can lve and Irosner. In
comparison with that, party distinctions
should go for nothing. Seeking no pollti-
cal triuaph, but simply the substitution
of an honest and responsible government
for the horde of plunderers who have rob-
bed and degraded the State, and thrown
her, back at least twenty years in the
march of Improvement, we are entitled to
the sympathy and support of every right
thinking man, whatever be bis political
opinions.
A better feeling peryades the whole
country. 1t is 2 great pleasure to note
the steady growth of more kindly senti.
ment and feeling towards the SQatA on the
part of the North In act and utterance
we we should at all times cordially reciprocate
the generous and friendly overtures held
out 10 us so frequently OF late by the
Northern people and press, without dis
tinction OF party. and especially by the
officers and soldiers of the Union armies,
whose magnanimous and soldierly conduct
in hoaoring the memory CT their fallen
foemen, on many recent occasions, is the
best pledge yet Offered qf Q restored, happy
and united Amerieanism. I am sure that
in our effort to rescue the State we Will
have the cordial support of the public
opinion and press of theNorth; but more
important, because more immediate than
these, the aid of the Federal Executive.
President Grant can do more for the
speedy restoration of the State than all
other influences from without; and al
though [ heye no political information,
other than such sis common to all hav-
ing access to the papers Of the day, still,
from the perusal Of these, | entertain
strong hopes he will not withhold his great
influence from so good work. There is
no overt hostility to his administration in
any part of the South; certainly none OF
any sort in an organized form in this State.
On the contrary, the Conservative element
look to him as their chief. if not only hope
of good government. Congress has been
appealed TO- and is powerless to remedy
the eyils under which we suffer. The ju-
dietary cas afford no relief, for it has no
jurisdiction. The Executive alone can
sconstitutionally and legally assist Us. 1t
would be the crownlng glory OF Gen.
Grants administration 10 effect q recon-
struction, and restore to the plundered and
ruined States of tie South the blessings Of
good government, and the opportunity to
enjoy and to contribute to the future pros
perity of the ocEatry. | cannot think
that he will be Indifferent, and know
how gratefully his aid would be apprecia.
ted by our suffering South Carolinians.
Could he be brought face to face with the
monstrous evils which degrade and op-
press ps, nothing could prevent him from
employing every prerogativc OF his vast
power to crush them o4t forever.
After all, however, onf rellet depends
mostly upon our own people. Let then
organize and consolidate all honest men
who can rise above unworthy prejudices
and party slavery, to rescue the State from
anarchy, ruin, and, in the end, bloody des-
pair. Respecting the Republican princi-
Inles Of the eolored citizens, we should ear
ne lily seek theiy cooperation in the move.
rent. The State has been plunged into
inis ruin by the erapacity and dishonesty Of
heir trusted leaders, who have brought
,jhalne and obloquy upon the party, whose
lonor and interests were in their keeping,
md trampled upon every right and inter-
est of the whole people in their, jnsatiate
greed for plumber. They owe, the State
90, reparation for the past, and we SURF
ymay nope are aasss sRf fa9ss1nSi aa
having sufficient hone. .'si'piF s'asd aEaiast
patriotism to joln9the hue ana (.
the robher band.