The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-27

prodigal waste Of the public revenues;
The bonds of the State are worthless, and
matters have now become so desperate
that the robbers who rule 1T
are forced to depend Tor their
stealings upon the pittance OF taxation
which can still be wrung from an limpover-
ished people. Public morals have been so
debased that any hope for purihcation from
within the State can hardly be entertained.
Evils of this kind have been unjustly
charged upon the Republican party. When
the whites made war upon the government,
it was inevitable that the blacks should be
freed, and it was essential to the safety of
the nation that the cornerstone of econ
struction should be the Acknowledgement
of the blacks. In most of the States no
disastrous consequences have followed a
measure demanded by justice and national
security, but in those States where the ne
groes had numerical superiority the re-
verse, it must be admitted, has been true.
But the Republican party had no choice in
the matter. 1t was forced by great nation
al exigencies to take the course it did.
The evils which resulted in some localities
have not been the fruits of its policy, but
the work of political adventurers who have
not been disowned and denounced by the
Republican party. That the negroes in
some States have been debauched, and
have brought great scandal upon them
selves and their friends, is due to these
adventures alone, The present disgrace
can in no way be charged upon the party
which earned the respect and admiration
of mankind by the liberation and enfranch-
isements of 100000 of people.
But it is the duty of the Republican
party to root out these evils so far as it
can. Thatit can suddenly eradicate them
is not probable, but by the influence of
public sentiment, and of the federal gov
eminent, much can be done to mitigate
them. The negroes seem to be convinced
that their proceedings have the sympathy
and support of the Republican party and
of the administration. The first thing to
be done is to undeceive them ON this point.
They must be taught that they must adopt
an honest and liberal policy if they would
have the moral support of the Republican
party, to which they owe the powers they
have abused. 1t is not difficult task tc
impart to them knowledge of this fact
it can be done by the press and representa-
tive men of the party. 1t must be done il
we. would free the party from all reproacf
in this matter. These misguided freed
men must be convinced that public affairs
must not be be managed solely for pillagt
and oppression This is the last grea
task of reconstruction, and it cannot b.
shirked without endangering the safety o.
the party.
NEGRO RULE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
The following is from the Charleston
Ne,cs of recent date:
That the people of the country may SEE
for themselves what kind of men conduc
the fortunes of South Carolina atithis time
we make some extracts from the debate OF
the salary appropriation bill on Wednesda.
last, as reported in our Columbia cores
pondence, The speakers were the leading
members of the House of Representatives
and the question was whether the Hous
appropriation bill or the Senate bill SHOULD
be passed.
Bowley, the colored chairman of tn,
committee on ways and means) Ever,
year the Senate has managed to get tn
House under their control, by holding tn
salary appropriation bill in their hands
As matters stand, the House rather ha
the Senate at disadvantage, and pro
pose to keep them so.
Greene (colored THE members of tn
House are needy and can't go into a fgh
with the Senate, which is composed of mel
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