The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-07-12
COLUMBIA. s. &C.
Sunday Morning. July IL. 1874.
Hot AdvIsab1e-31an tho Strong Posi-

tton.
We observe disposition in some
quarters to make Conservative nomi
nation for Governor. Every now and
then, We read in the papers something
Nike this: "Wtthout disparagemeht ia
the elaine ofvothszs," Colonial el
General or Honorable So and,So is
most respectfully presented for the
saHiaaseess Of his fellow citizens o;;.iizzsls soF the
distinguished position OF Cover nor, y
30. We regard this as very ill-timed
and ill.advised. AS things stand, it is
hopeless to try to elect a Governor
from the Conservative side. "A Con.
sszsative ppSiqq spnly; Be elected. if ..
aaf, byuanH0rtby opmpsomise. ~ The
attempt would result in failure, or? II
it sucdeeded, would do th'e C0naettSva.
tiveSapSs bnE little good. 's.Wishops
dispaJagsmepsi" therefore. ta the me-
rits of Hon. So.and,So and Col. This
snd Thas. we think .they ought, 20 re-
press theif 'aspirktiYns," Of si1e thsm a, a
more qaefnl and prsptioal turn, Thsy
should mot permit, indisoreet. .frienls,to
usa' thsir names, prematurely' 10 dis
ffact our own counsels. and tolsolidity
the ranks of'9nr opponents. We have
NO patience with thu idle display of
such small ambitions. The clsims
~hich we respect are the claims to
serve The State in; any position, how
syar humble, It ia work, not official
position. which true men should aim
at4 There is q vast amount Of work to
De-. dSre. There is great deal to
learn and. neooh to be nnlearnt. We
mussBe patient, bide our time, work
in'tbe tax unions. form our organiza-
huns, eplighten the public mind, fuse
the mass with one will, deliberately
settle upon a purpose and policy, and
stern's. carry it ont. Things are work.
snzs!xssqffolly now, and auch q condi-
ton ofr'the public mind is being
formed all over this country as will
make it possible for patriots here to
secars their lost rights. and to restore
the lost integrity. de6enoy, honor and
credit OF the State. But they must be
IN earnest, and not allow their ener:,
gies to be mis-spent, or to be frittered
away upon any mans aspiring pro-
iects, or the shallow and marrow aug.
gestioos OF those who do not patiently
examine and take in the whole field.
II the Conservatives were able to
elect Governor just now, 1t would do
very little. il any. good. unless. con-
currently with it. other important
changes could be effected. Some such
changes can be made. and by them
selves may be OF conspicuous advan-
tage to Us. In our Judgment, the
place to look to is the Legislature.
There it is practicable TO secure bet.
ter and larger Conservative representa-
lion. We have had a few useful and
diligent. members. We ought to gain
considerable In number and improve
upon the quality Of several who we're
in the last Legislature. In all the
Counties where elections for the Se-
nate are to take place this fall, the
people. where they can elect, should
look most carefully to it. that they
send their very best men. The State
calls now for the services OF men of
mind, thought, courage. Industry and
policy-men above the suspicion OF
the possibility OF any undue influence
being gained over them by even the
most seductive and powerful means.
And 80 OF the elections to the House
OF Representatives. Wherever men of
the kind We have outlined can be got
in IS members, it is the bounden duty
OF their Counties to send them. The
test which should be every rywhere ap-
Piled is that of honesty, capacity and
character. Not only in Counties
classed as Conservative. but every
where in the State, wherever q good
man and good member can be elected,
it ought to be done. A minority that
knows its mind, representing ON ear.
nest and aroused constituency. that