The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-15
COLUMBIA,S. g.
Thursday Morning. January is, 1874.
The Prostrats state.

bearing this title, by James s.. Pike,
late Minister OF the United States at the
Hague, has already attracted considera.
BILE attention. Itis the production Of q
gentleman OF leisure and means, who
spent g couple OF months, during the
session OF the South Carolina Legisla'
turs OF 1873, in close observation OF it's
action, and in careful; study of all the
questions which would naturally sug-
gest themselves to q shrewd inquirer in
such a position. We haYe found it more
than entertaining. 1t discusses ques-
tions sol absorbing concern and para
mount interest to tho people Of the
: State, who hope and work for change
in its political condition. Before the
day OF sudden emancipation, mfr. Pike
entertained the conviction that the Gulf
States would have to be surrendered to
the blacks; but he now admits that that
event changed the conditions of the
problem. In tho present work he COM
bats the sentiment which he had for
merly entertained, 30 far as it applies
to South Carolina. Northern man as lie
is, and Republican Us we suppose him to
be, he has brought to the consideration
OF this matter pains-taking spirit or in.
vestigation and fairness of view which
do him honor.
He sees in the result which lie depre-
Gates the most vital injury to oiviliza.
tion and progress, and tho bitterest
wrong to people, whose highest crime
has been misfortune. Ho offers con-
siderations which should inspire de-
terminod effort to prevent it. Pub
ifshed to the reading world at large,
they are evidently meant to take effect
in the minds and to nerve the hearts
and inspire the purpose of the people
mainly concerned themselves. While
invoking the attention OF the people of
other States, he warns the people of
South Carolina not to permit what they
ought to prevent. The decision, he
says, nrests mainly with them. This
friendly counsel chimes in we'll with the
efforts which We make every day, to
rouse public attention to the alarming
condition OF our affairs. It is not taxa
tion alone which challenges scrutiny; it
is not the corruption of officials merely
which we are called upon to overthrow;
it is not the prostration Of industry, and
the failure Of honest efforts to secure
the comforts of life, and the education
Of our children; it is not only or mainly
the need Of labor and necessity of oapi-
tai which we suffer from. The whole
head is sick and the whole heart faint.
Bntwe think with the author Of this
book, that there is yet hope for us-yet
field in which patriotism and the inte-
rssts of self-preservation should assert
their power and enforce their claims.
II We thought the case was made up,
and no possibility existed OF return of
good government, security and prosper
ity; If we thought honor was tn be for
everexiled from our shores, and civili-
zation to be blotted out by an African or
mongreI sway permanently established
here-we would throw down our pon in
despair, and leave the God. d.strioken and
hapless State Of onr birth and our pride.
But we will not believe it, and we will
not cease to invoke all those Influences
to rally to recovery of our lost power,
our jnst consideration, our desecrated
field OF manly and honorable exertion.
People Of South Cardinal learn les.
son from this candid stranger. You
have not exhausted all means ard re.
SOURCES in your power to correct the
evils OF your miserable condition. Until
you have done so, you cannot no held
without excnse. There is work to bo
done both at homo and abroad. The
public opinion of tie whole country
must be enlightened and thrilled with
the story of your shameful wrongs aud
mntohless misery.
We recur 10 the matter Of Dr.. Ensor's
letter to friend. of which we took
some notice the other day, to say that
In l.