The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-22
S. c..
Friday Morning. Nay %. 1874.
Apply the Out-o'-Nine Tails.

Apply the Ont-o'-NIne Tails.
Judge Maokey is again upon the war
path, flaming with paint, brilliant with
feathers. and fourishing the lash.
After the adjournment OF court in
Sumter, last week, he addressed the
public, in response to an invitation
coming from persons of both political
parties, upon the issues Of the day.
He denounced the malpractioes OF the
ruling politioiano Of South Carolina.
He admitted that for the past five
years, the State Government. in all its
departments, had been complete and
total failure. He showed that the oor-
caption of this same party. through it's
ce-holders, had wrecked it in Geor-
gia so hopelessly that there was not a
single County in that State where q
Republican convention is held. He
dwelt upon this terrible evil as it ex-
listed in Mississippi, Louisiana and Ar
kansas, tracing the devastating over
dow Of the Mississippi River to the
spoliation of the $50. 600. 900 appropri-
sscd by the States slcng its banks, by
the Radical officials in charge of the
funds. he described this State as
washed by the waters of corruption
from the salt sea to it's mountain peaks.
He pointed out the inefloiency of the
public schools, comparing them unfn-
sverably with those in operation before
4ke war, say in 1859. when they were
kept open ten months in the year, on
moderate appropriations; whereas now
. saey average but two months, on an
appropriation of $500, 900, to which he
might have added the proceeds of the
poll tax.
Judge Msokey has andoubted talent
for denunoiation. and in this instance
had theme worthy the post strenu-
ausazertion of his powers. We have
read what he has said in different
places on his circuit with interest and
some hope. We have bent to hear
what remedy be and others who join
with him in his recent crusade against
frauds and corrupt practices have to
propose. 1t ia simply that the State
Republican party, which carries this
load of corruption, the disgrace of
American States, shall change its char
acter, reform its practices and throw
>.af its load. If it shall do that, if it
>arise t'in its might" &c.. then Judge
Mackey thinks it will hold it's ascend
ancy here. Now, il saying this. he
says what he must know can never
happen. Tho course of events, the
current OF corruption, which has rolled
on Deepening and broadening for the
last six years, give no encouragement
to q man of his observation and dis
eernment for believing any suoh thing.
The ''might" which he hints at il fabu-
ious. The only strength tHs Radical
set of this State have is the strength of
corruption itself. It can no more
reform itself, therefore, than dung
heap can.
Judge Mnckey shows his conscious
ness of this impossibility. in inviting
white Conservatives to come into the
ranks OF the Republicans, and to "help
them clean out the house." This is q
proposition that We need not discuss
fudge Maokey must know it to be un-
Geratie and impossible to adopt. It
is palpable non sequit.o', viewed logi-
ealiy and as to principle, and an offsnse
to the sensibilities, which it is every
irue mans duty TO cherish. His fine
satire. his bold denunciation, his
seveze lashing of his party. therefore,
point to no political conclusion that
decent people can accept. But it is
not altogether idle vaporing or mere
srolding. As constant dropping wears
away stones, constant exposures OF
this kind. concurring with prosecu.
.ions i'll the courts, may at Inst frighten,
although they can never convince he
criminals who are waiting to lend the
masses into wrong again. We. there.
fore, say to him, "Lay on, Macduff."
Why All This Pother!
A city paper says that the Sheriff OF