The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-27
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Wednes lay Morning. May 81. 1874.
To tho Rescue.


this mornings issue. The faots,
figures and deductions from thom are
Of decided interest. and well worth the
consideration, Of the people. We. are
tired OF yielding everything without
question. It is dangerous and un-
manly. We are creatures OF habit,
and from lie force those who volunta.
rily relinquish some Of the chief duties
Of citiaens and prime obligations of
men, viii become confirmed in an
apathy and Indifference that will domi-
nate as surely as disgraoe them. The
condition OF things here should rouse
every man who has soul in him, and
to whom the words country, home,
family, right. civilization aud deoency
have not lost their meaning. We
have all been too listless and inactive.
We are willing to take our share of the
censures visited upon the press by our
correspondent. Whether they are
altogether just or not, is really small
question with Us. What is vital is to
see that the people do not full iuto
acquiescence in and submission to a
foul dsspotism. disagured by every
crime. and tending rapidly to anarchy
and the lowest degradation.
There are certain plain duties for
all to do, and the one Immediately be-
fore us is to organize tax unions. We
saw what the people of Marion did by
resolutely taking hold of the matter of
monstrons assessments of property for
taxation which had been made in their
County. That is q good example, and
q model OF one OF the modes of action
which tax unions may adopt. They
nosd not necessarily be political. They
ooSne into conflict with party only in
80 far as 1t upholds palpable wrong.
The keo,Dee Courier. asks: "Will they
accomplish any good? OF will they
serve to re- unite and consolidate the
opposition. revive union tongues and
more strongly rivet our chains?" OF
course, they will do good. Every
Thing that is honest and sensible, and
not q sham. will do good. As to its
re.upiting and consolidating the domi-
nant party, that is mistake. It is
already maased by the cohesive power
Of the public plunder. Its founda-
lion stones are spoliation and igno-
rance. Tue cement which binds it to.
gether is the oredulity OF its rank and
file, adroitly handled by its leaders,
and the patience aud submission of
the Conservatives, believed by the
Radicals to have no limits. That is
the main reason they are 30 bold and
brazen. It is that which consolidates
them into one phalanx. The way to
break it up is to drive right at it with
vigor and Determination, oontesting it's
right to asoendanoy upon every
ground, aud disputing 1t inoh by inch
npon every suitable occasion.
The next thing to be done, also
practical and Immediately before US, is
to undertake the enlightenment of the
colored voters It is not necessary nor
desirable to urge upon them to aban-
don their party. They cherish the
aame of Republican. and think there
kvirtue in it. That delusion need not
ie disturbed. But they should be led
emily to see the futal results Of the
.olicy which they ignorantly and IN
Intentionally sustain. They should be
made to see the Disgrace which rests
upon the very name of South Caro-
lima, through the dishonesty OF their
leaders. They should be induced to
join in the search for honest men to
undertake the administration of affairs.
They should he detached from those of
their party ho are controlled by no
motives but their own gain, aud are
perfectly willing for rain to ensuc to
she State. provided thoy BIZ retained in
positions favorable for plumber, and
gratifying to vanity and conceit. An
other duty is the one discussed by us
some days ago, and now enlarged upon
by our correspondent. It is worth