The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-07
COLUMBIA, S. G..
Saturday Morning. March 7, 1874.
How Shall We Get Rcl,sf.

Wretched condition OF the people OF
South Carolina. The memorial sent to
Congress from the rnx-Psyers' Oonven-
ton is now fairly before the country.
Public opinion is busy with the pro-
blems which it suggests. The evils
which it describes as existing here have
reused the deepest concern Of tho Ame.
rican people. In imposing their Recon
struotion Acts. in hastily conceding uni.
versal suffrage, in the display OF q feel
ing of resentment against the States OF
the South. they did not foresee the dire
consequences, the terrible evils, which
would ensue. Now that they have
reached their height, and conc before
them as grievance to be redressed, o
wrong to be undone, an infamy to be
abolished, they concede the errors of
Legislation in which they were born.
The evils are patent, but the remedies
are not 80 easy to devise. Several of
the journals OF the North have given
earnest attention to the questions in
volved. They have suggested modes of
relief, but mono that We have seen. of
sfficacious character. Tie chief obsta-
ole in the way of correcting abuses here
is the lack of accurate information
about them. They cannot be appre-
hended in the fu.Iness Of their enormity
without minute examination. But we
hope something from the present dis
cushions.
The Taxpayers memorial will be
formally presented to Congress on the
10th instant. It is paper which must
command attention. If committee
should be appointed to visit the State.
summon its authorities. examine it's re-
eords, take testimony of the citizens.
and to thoroughly probe it's condition,
it would be the best thing that could
happen. It will be great point gained
10 have occurred thorough and honest
Investigation. The miserable mocksry
OF republican government under which
we live. may thus be effectualIy exposed.
But even with the fullest knowledge
and the most convincing proofs of the
evils which afiiot our unhappy State,
there will be serious obstacles in the
way of Congress finding any adequate
remedy for them. Party spirit and
sectional animosity may revive to some
extent, and oppose their horrid fronts to
a peaceful and effectnal solution Of our
troubles. Tie wrongs cannot be de-
nied, but they may be construed by
some as only just retribution upon a
people who dared first to make an issue
with the General Government. Even
upon The supposition Of good feeling,
Congress will he 10th to confess weak.
ness or error in it's past legislation. 1t
cannot easily be brought to condemn
its own Reconstruction Acts. Suffrage,
like revolutions, ike the lions track
leading to tho fox's don, only can go
forward. It cannot recede from it's po-
sition until time and change have so
altered conditions as to make it praoti-
cable.
We hive read aud reproduced many
SoAuoolo SuESeSLlOuS O1 NODES OIL reiiel
from the evils of our condition in the
press of tho Nor.n, Republican and
Democratic. There is one which seems
not to have occurred to any of them,
and jet, - our view. it is the most pro-
missing Of speedy, effuctual and peaceful
results. Why should not Congress and
the President withdraw the United
States troops which are stationed in
South Carolina, and leave the people
free to work out their destiny them
selves? We are satisfied that the effect
would be eminently wholesome. The
present corrupt rulers in this State are
not III positions OF power from my
merit or influence which they possess.
Ihey are as wanting in power of will,
;orce OF character and vigas Of under.
standing, as they are in virtue, honesty,
integrity and decency. They are elect
ed by the ballots OF deceived and
Ignorant constituency. This is done by
means OF purity machinery und odions