The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-15
s. G.
Tuesday Morning. September 10. 1874
The Tcrrors or a Demand for Honest
Govornmont.

The Tcrrors or Demand for Honest
Government.
In his elaborate and effective parti-
san address in support of the nomina-
tion OF Mr.. Chamberlain for Governor,
delivered before the Radical Oonven-
tion, on Saturday night, Judge Mackey
exerted ell his powers to show the i'm.
minence OF deadly struggle for con-
troll OF the political power of the State.
It was. in his view, 80 threatening as
to be likely to imperil the common
rights Of the citizen aud to lead to
bloodshed. This was the justification n
OF himself and others for the distribu-
ton OF troops throughout the State,
and for the orders Of the Attorney
General to the Federal officers in this
State to soc to the strict observance of
the Enforcement Acts. Mr.. Chamber
lain himself regarded the contest as
gigantic in the amount and character
of the elements of opposition which
his party would have to cope with.
The party toosin was sounded, the
changes were rung again and again
upon the endangered principles of
Republicanism. and some huge unde-
fined spectre OF disaster duly pictured
as certain to occur, if the faithful re-
lsxed in their efforts. if they did not
utilize every particle OF the strength
and influence Of their organization.
We believe we represent the under
lying thought in the efforts of these
speakers correctly. The same has
been harped upon in the newspaper
organ till everybody has it by heart.
All over the State, the cry is raised,
that the Republican party is in danger
Of being overthrown.
What are the facts? The Radical
party, which has just placed it's banner
in Mr.. Ohamberlain's hands, has all
the machinery Of the State Govern
ment under its absolute control. It
has ell the Offices, including the Trea-
s,sry, and command OF the Bank of
the State assets yet unstolen. It has
militia of 10000 men, armed with
the best rifles, which has been for
several years past regularly drilled all
over the State. It claims 1000 ma
jority Of voters. It has laws govern
ing elections, which give 1t immense
advantages in determining the result
in its favor. It has partisAns whose
highest sense of duty is to promote
and secure success by any end every
means. It is common saying with
them. shst they would support the old
boy himself, if he should come up
here in person and be. as of course he
would be. their leader. Not content
with all this. they have procured an
order from the United States Govern.
ment, ordering troops here in certain
emergencies, which is intended and is
calculated to inspirit their followers.
and awe the spirit Of whatever opposi-
tion there may be. They have raised
the cry OF violence where peace and
serenity dwell, they have invented
terrors where none exist. Their repre-.
sentative journal asks piteously. "who
does not know that we cannot hold an
election with the smallest prospect OF
SUCCESS without aid from the General
Government"
Look now in another quarter. There
is no political party in South Carolina
standing id political opposition to the
Radical party at all. There is abso-
lutely none. We have not seen dis.
cussion turning upon political princi.
pies in :his State for years. State
rights, internal Improvements, civil
rights, finance. hard money, imitation
whatever questions may exist else.
where and be discussed-are as un.
known here in party sense as the
Sanscrit language. Questions which
concern government and polity in any
enlarged sense are no longer questions
for uo. They are luxuries denied to
us. The action Of the people who are
the victims OF misgovernment is
limited to protests, memorials and rep
reservations Of their wrongs merely.
Thay rrov OF m r1v TINT thou rooy MT