National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-03
SOUTH CAROLINA.

We confidently predict that the Inaugural
ton of the new government in South Caro-
lima, with Governor Chamberlain at its
head, marks a new era in the history of
that unfortunate State. His election over
the combined efforts of the Moses ring of
corruptionists and the malcontent Demo
cato elements was won after a hard
fought battle in which the discipline and
integrity of the Republican party was
sorely tried. Simply because he was
carpet Dagger and Republican-he would
not have been characterized as carpet
Dagger if he had not been Republican
he was opposed by the great mass Of native
white voters, and at the same time his
pledges of reform brought him into direct
antagonism with the corruptiOnists of his
own party who have for years ruled the
State, plundering its treasury and disgrac-
ing the very name of Republicanism.
Strange as this coalition may seem to those
who are unacquainted with the incongruous
utilization of Southern politics, it is never
theless true that Moses, the prohigate Re-
publican, was heartily supported in his
lies as the Buffers and the Kershaws, who
have for generations held their heads high
above the common herd, and boosted of
their purity of blood and character. But
prejudice. like misery, finds strange bed
fellows and in this contest, if Wade Hamp-
ton, for example. had been at home, he
would have voted side by side the same
ticket, with Frank Moses against Chamber
lain. 1t is useless to attempt to analyze the
motives which conspired to produce this
result; but that it has ended in the over
throw of the thieves and their equally dis
reputable coadjutors is matter demand
ing heartfelt congratulation.
After all that has been said, however,
the condition of affairs in South Carolina is
not so bad as they have been represented
to be. The taxes are, comparatively, high,
and the bonded debt of the State is not so
large as to prevent the possibility of its
speedy payment. 1t is true that much of
the latter was contracted and used in such
a way that the people derived no benefit
from it; but the honor of the State is pledged
to meet all of the Indebtedness now out
standing, which has been incurred by duly
authorized agents. This, of course, does
not include certain large amounts of ''pay
certificates, " fraudulently issued by Moses,
or other Indebtedness of the same charac-
er; but we venture the prediction that
Gov. Chamberlain, while carefully eleim-
mating this class of claims upon the treas
ury, will find himself abundantly able to
restore and maintain the credit of the
State. His inaugural address contains
promises of reform which sound with the
ring of true metal, and which, when taken
into consideration with the character of the
man, guarantee brilliant administration of
the offices of the State during his term of
Office. He has not hesitated to character
ize the infamous acts Of his predecessors in
office as they deserve, and has thereby, at
least, earned title to the respect of we'll
meaning people, which it will be his duty
and aim to preserve. a man of extraor-
binary natural ability, educated at the lead
ing university of the country, and prompted
by an earnest desire to serve his constit-
ents faithfully, it is certain that he will
succeed in raising the Palmetto State from
the depths of her degradation, and place
her side by side with the most reputable
and progressive Commonwealth of the
Union.