The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-10
A Chance for South Carolina.

When a man like Mr.. William Henry Tres
cot can say of such State as South Carolina,
; that among the people Of this State Federal
ing vital interest is the honest administration
OF the State Government, he presents picture
i Of the revolution that has swept over the
South, since the war, which an elaborate de-
! scription of the situation might fail TO convey
F.; to the mind South Carolina was the home of
Federal politics, and Mr. Trescot was reared in
its atmosphere, His writings and his expe-
rience lay in the outer circle of Federal and
Interstate relations, and those subjects were
always matter Of absorbing interest to the peo-
pie among whom he dwelt II he can find no
/ interest in these questions now among the peo-
pie, there must be little of such interest in
! South Carolina and the fact that the South
Carolinians have no interests, and that Federal
politics are obsolete among them, shows how
completely the old State has been beaten down.
We are all familiar with the events which
have effected these mighty changes in the dis
position of these people. Men who see the
foundations Of their homes tottering and threat
ening destruction; who feel the hands of rob-
bcrs upon their throats; who hear the burglars
cutting their way into the houses, do not stop
to indulge in speculations as to the rights and
uation is too intense in South Carolina the
pending questions are too near at home; there
| is too much of struggle for life and security,
to personal and individual property for men to
stop to discuss State sovereignty or even to
consider their aggregate relations with other
political communities Federal politics are
obsolete 1t matters little whethe! Repubi-
cans or Democrats rule the land. 1t matters
little what powers the Federal Government
assumes to itself, or how recognition is given TO
the sovereignty Of the States. All that the
people of Sonth Carolina ask is to be saved
from anarchy and ruin; to be saved from be-
ing robbed to fill the pockets of scoundrels and
thieves to be established IN at least the de-
cency and security that are granted to the
most abject provinces of the most arbitrary
and cruel despots. The large preponderance
in South Carolina Of the ignorant and litter
ate element in the poltico-social system would
be a serious obstacle in the way Of progress and
reform, even if that element were wel-advised
and subjected to eevating influences. But cir
cumstances, heightened by antecedent condl-
tons on the one hand and cheap clap.trap on
the other, have brought the colored people of
| the State under the domination-not the influ-
ence, for that implies some amount of reason
ing and intelligcnce-of a set Of adventures
and piferers, who use them for no other pur-
pose than their own personal aggrandzement.
How can the honest people of South Carolina
win enough of these unettered and easily
beguiled colored people to the side of virtue to
enable them to drive out the thieves and vaga-
bonds who are running the black as we'll as the
white people and destroying all hopes for a bet
ter day? Mr. Trescot has announced himself
as an independent candidate for Congress. He
has undoubtedly heavy odds against him, but
there are indications Of a marked reaction i'll
South Carolina against the further rule of dis
honesty and corruption, and he has, we think,
adopted the proper course to avail himself Of
that re action if it can be carried to the doors
of decency and honesty.-LouiscHe Courier
JoNN0L