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


have made up their minds to frank and
cordial oo. operation with The Inds.
pendent Republicans, who seem earn
thing like reform in the State
government. The Tax Unions, which
comprise most Of the influential and
intelligent property,owners OF the
State, for some time manifested q pro-
ieFenoe for Gen. Ke:shaw, an honest
and straightforward man, as candidate
for Governor, in case any Conserva-
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 he
were fortunate enough to get seat in
tue 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 80 confident as they
we're shortly after his nomination, it is
pretty evident that be will have very
strong following, and il is probable
that he will be elected. With the
frightful examples Of the past few
years before him, it is fair to suppose
that he will do his best to reform the
gIaring evils which have brought
South Carolina to the brink of ruin
But he will be numbered with greedy
army at his back, and will fnd it az
hard to detect frauds as he seems to
have found it when he was Attorney.
| General.
When tue 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-
sponse from many quarters. Thou.
sauds of men who have suffered for
years all the miseries OF taxation with
out 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 sulking in corners, refusing aflilia-
tion and lssning manifestoes flied with
dreary complaints, but they stepped
frankly forward and gave their adhe-
sion to party which had nominated
au earnest advocate of tho wiser pro.
visions of the Civil Rights Bill as Go
vernon, and q highly intelligent CO.
lored man as Lieutenant Governor.
There were many Conserv ,tives who
hesitated, aud 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, and will be productive
of much good. They have seen the
folly and useIessness of any attempt to
open 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
and blacks.
Whatever may be the immediate
result Of the Independent movement
in the State, the final effects can
not but be good. The negroes are
evidently learning to pay some little
attention to the character, as we'll az
the political professions. of candidates;
and that is long step forward. The
prospects for retrenchtnent Of the ex-
penses of government, and for appro-
p.!ation of the revenues to their proper
uses, even il the Independents and
Conservatives do not elect their can
didate, will be far better theu If they
had never made an effort to elect one.
II they do succeed, it is not probable
that they will attempt any other than
u 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 Carolina, und
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
sections OF the Commonwealth manage
to prosper. What might not be ex-
pected if taxes we're reduced, stealings
were abolished, aud industries were
revived?
Both tho regular Republican party
and the Independents would do we'll
to pay 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 educa.
ton Of its voters. Until the majority
Of the negroes are far better instructed
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