The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-10-15
s..sible Conservatives.

nave maoe up their MINDS 10 sfeok and
cordial cooperation with the Inde-
pendent Republicans, who seem earn.
estly endeavoring to carry out come.
thing like reform in the State
government. The Tax Unions, which
comprise moet Of the Influential and
intelligent property-owners of the
State. for some time manifested pro-
ference for Gen. Kershaw, an honest
and straightforward man, as candidate
for Governor, in case any Conserya-
tive nomination was to be made; but
they are now convinced that Judge
Greene, the Independent candidate,
could do much to improve the present
lamentable condition of affairs if be
were fortunate enough to get seat in
the Governors chair. They consider
it forlorn hope, but they mean to do
their utmost, aud if they fail they will
certainly be bitterly discouraged AL
though the supporters of Chamberlain
are by no means SO confident rs they
we're shortly after his nomination, it is
pretty evident that he will have very
strong following, and il is probable
that he will be elected. With the
frightfui examples of the pnst few
years before him, it is fair to suppose
that he will do his best to reform the
glaring evils which have brought
South Carolina to the brink Of ruin.
But he will be numbered with greedy
army ut his back, and will find it az
bard to detect frauds as he seems to
have found it when he was Attorney
General.
When the Independent party, in
whose ranks there are large numbers
Of negroes, appealed to the Conservu-
tives of the State for cooperation,
their appeal met with an instant re-
spouse from many quarters. Thou
sands of men who have suffered for
years all the miseries OF taxation with
ont representation, aud who have been
completely at the mercy Of the igno-
rant and vicious, answered ut once
that they would sacrifice partisan
politics in the interest Of a movement
for fair government. They did not
sit eulking in corners. refusing aifilia.
ton and lssning manifestoes filled with
dreary complaints. but they stepped
frankly forward and gave their adhe-
sion to party which had nominated
an earnest advocate of she wiser pro-
visions of the Civil Rights Bill as Go
vernon. and highly intelligent CO.
lored tnan as Lieutenant-Govern
There were many Oonserv stives who
hesituted, and who still hesitate, to
follow tho excellent example afforded
them by their old associates; but they
will in time accept decision which is
certainly wise, aud will be productive
OF much good. They have seen the
folly and useiessness of any attempt to
open a race issue, and have never seri.
ously contemplated it. Their neigh
bors in Georgia have now and then
sent to the world glowing accounts of
race disturbances on the Carolina
borders. but there was never any basis
Of fact on which to build the presump.
ton that South Carolina was to be the
scene of actual strife between whites
aud blacks.
Whatever may be the Immediate
result Of the Independent movement
in the State, the hnal effects eau
not but be good. The negroes are
evidently learning to pay some little
attention to the character, as we'll as
the po!itica! professions. of candidates;
aud that is long step forward. The
prospects for retrenchtnont of the ex-
penses Of government, aud for appro.
priation Of the revenues to their proper
uses. even if the Independents and
Conservatives do not elect their can
dldate, will be far better than # they
had never made an effort to elect one
II they do succeed. it is not probable
that they will attempt any other than
Il liberal policy. The Conservatives
say truly that neither the Civil Rights
Bill nor any Of the present causes of
The troubles in the South can perpetu.
ute dissension in South Car Iolina, urd
that there is no obstacle TO harmoni-
Gus and immediate progress save the
dishonest administration Of the State
government. Even under the crush.
ing weight Of that government, certain
suctions Of Che Commonwealth manage
to prosper. Whs. might nc. sc a1-
pected if taxes were reduced, stealiugs
were abolished, and industries were
revived?
Both the regular Republican party
and the Independents would do we'll
to pny strict attention to measures for
an increase Of educational facilities
throughout the State. Either party
will succeed or fail, eventually, very
mnch in proportion to the amount of
attention it bestows upon the oduca.
ton Of its voters. Until the majority
Of the negroes are far better instructed