The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-05-20
Minority Report Oh the South
Carolina GrievanceS-Preiud.,
ice ofthe Dominant Party De-
nyIns Justice to the OppresS-

CONCLUSIONS OF the majority, and il
generally concurred in by the entire
minority Of the Judiciary Committee.
The minority say
1t is impossible to turn j deaf ear
to the supplicatiug wall Of 100000
oppressed and despoiled citizens Of
that once prosperous and happy State.
prayiag only that inquiry be made in.
to their alleged wrongs. We canuot
Gul in the reproaches Of the conduct
Of the memoriali>ts III the past any
reason or justification for refusing the
hearing they now request. Their
fidelity to the constitution and laws Is
now unquc<;ioued, and this plea is
made 10 respectful terms.
The report then recites briefly and
pointedly the list of grievances COM
planned OF, and predicates from them
that the charges Of the memorlallSts
are true. The minority say -
We are aware Of the doubts and
difficulty in pointing out the precise
clause Of the constitution authorizing
Intervention, but that protection IN
all things is essential to good govern
ment no one denies. 1t should never
DC lost sight Of; that for the con-
dit;on of things now existing in South
Carolina the federal government IS
primarily responsible. Blink 1t. look
upon it as We may, horrible as the
work of its hand may now appear,
Congress set up and established the
state of things that makes the com-
monwealth Of South Carolina the
foul stigma it now is in our system.
We do not argue the right to inter-
fere Oh that ground at this time, but
We submit that We subject our govern
mental theorems to the contempt Of
the world and all intelligent men, in
that we are all powerful to inaugurate
and establish the paudeIronium now
existing there. and the very moment
it is done are utterly powerless to IN.
terfere with it at all, or to save the
property Of the people from the spoilS-
man. Nor eau We forbear the sug-
sestion that if this appeal We're on be-
half Of 100000 negroes, instead Of
100000 white Southerners Of our own
race and blood, such are the sympathies
ofthe majority, as heretofore exhibited,
that they would find by right or by
wrong some meals of relief; the petit
tioners would not have been 50 coldiy
and A!ppantly turned away. 1t is a
matter Of the greatest delicacy for the
federal government to Interfere to pro-
tect part of the people Of the State
from the expressions aud misrule Of
the other. 1t is conceded that it
ought not to be done for trivial causes;
but it is not light or trivial case
that 800, 600 people, all the property
holders Of the great State, are being
stripped and despoiled by usurpation
aud fraud; that there ought to be power
and authority adequate i'll such emer-
sepcy to save, all lovers Of honesty and
good government will admit. and 1t is
a fundamental defect in our system if
there be not, in view of the thoughtful
wisdom of the authors Of our coustitu-
ton. Are We prepared to render such
Judgment, that our constitution Of
government is so irreparably defective .!
The complaint Of the memorlallsts IS
that the rulers Of the people have
-<nrped the power to tax property
owners. not for legislative purposes,
not to support the government of the
State, but for the purpose of impoyer-
ishing the taxpayers aud enrlching
themselves; for the purpose OF taxing
the white people down to the level Of
the negro. Under the prctence Of the
taxing power they are eudeaVoring to
distribute property Of owners among
these who have none Is this not a
usurpatiou by the rulers Of the State,
against which constitutional guarantee
was intended to protect? 1t is not
the mere abuse of the taxing power,
but the utter pereegsion Of that power
from all legitimate objects Of taxation.
Can there he republican form Of
government where this is done, the
main objec. Of the government being
the protection Of the property OF the
citizen aud the citizen in the enjoy
ulent Of his property -
The report quotes from Hamilton,
Calhoun and other authorities as to
constitutional guarantee, and concludes
as follows -
In view Of the whole case, We can
not hesitate to recommend heappoiut-
ment of committee Of both houses
of Congress, with power and authority
to go into the State Of South Caroliua
and fully inquire anu Investigate into
the condition of the State and the
charges and complaint Of the memo
ralists. TO do less We feel We should
violate or neglect most solemn and
imperative duty. The cry Of that out
ragged and helpless and suffering people
has reached our hearts as well as our
understanding. That once prcspering
and beautiful State is cn the verge OF
ruiu. She is indeed already PROSTATE.
4 horde of thieves and robbers
worse than any that ever infected auy
civilized community on earth have
her by the throat and are fast sucking
her liteblood. Three hundred thouS-
and Of her citizens, descendants Of
those who fought and Won with our
fathers the battles of American indie
prndcace and liberty, are crying to
Congress for redress, for help. They
have suffered al that humanity cal'
endure; they have exhausted every re-
sourse and are utterly helpless ot
themselves. To refuse their request
is to drive them to despalr aud ruin.
RIGHr.-A number Of planters II