The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-11-12
The Result.

The decision at the ballot-boX on the 3rd OF
| November elects Mr. Chamberlain as the Gov
ernor of South Carolina for the next two years.
He goes into Office under peculiar circumstan-
ces, with the majority in favor of his party
greatly reduced. A stronger and more COM
pact opposition will confront him in the Legls-
lature, and the lessons taught by the campaign
cannot fail to impress him with the danger to
which his administration will be subjected, IN
case the ignominious failures of the past SIX
years do not prove warning against further
abuse of the public trusts. The general dlssat-
isfaction with his Republican predecessors
stands before his gaze, and he must know that
similar practices and derelictions OF duty VIII
only increase the defections among the rank
and file of his own party. The recent oppo'
nents to his election are not likely to torego
the vantage ground, and their numbers Will DC
legion unless better government IN the interest
of all classes, without distinction or iavortlsm'
will be guaranteed during the term OF MS ao-
ministration. The tax-paying and property
holding citizens of South Carolina are sincere
and earnest in their demand for justice at the
hands of their rulers, and they will not be sat-
is6ed with pretended measures OF reform;
This sentiment is shared by the great body o.
the American people, who are tired and SICK
of the disgraceful record made by the Kepuo'
lican party in this State.
During the campaign, it was MIR. Chamber
lain's boast that he would appoint no man to
Office, unless three requisites were made appa-
rent: First, is he Republican; second, Is
he honest; and third, is he competent? The
pledge of party fealty was made most promi-
net. and seemed to inspire the highest respect
in the mind of Mr.. Chamberlain. We deem
it unfortunate that such expressions were
made, and we believe that reversal of the
propositions would greatly tend to insure the
one thing needful in this State, by placing
competency and honesty above Republicanlsm
in the selection of public officials on his part
Only in this way can the administration OF
Mr.. Chamberlain furnish substantial evidence
that he intends to become the Governor OF the
whole people, and break down the miserable
clioues heretofore controlling official power
and patronage.
The conservative masses have much to en-
courage them in the recent election, although
defeated in the general result. By combina-
ton with Independent Republicans, after q
brief campaign not wholly satisfactory in many
respects, the tremendous majority relied upon
by the opposition has been greatly reduced,
and the political balance made nearer even, so
that the future will bring less arrogance and
boastfulness of superior numbers. which al
ways intimidates and begets distrust of our
ability to gain the victory. We are cognlzant
of the fact that divisions can be made in their
ranks, and that the colored people are not en-
tirely unwilling to join hands with their white
neighbors in securing honest and competent
rulers A large number of colored voters scat
tered throughout the State emphasized this fact
at the polls, and we should not be 10th to re-
cognize and applaud their conduct, simply be-
cause defeat ensued.
The increased conservative element in the
Legislature is another cause for congratulation,
especially the triumph in Charleston County,
where there. is delegation of Independents
and Conservatives, headed by Hon. Geo. A.
Trenholm, which defeated shabby set of cor
ruptionists and selfish politicians. We believe
that more active, vigiant and effective opposi-
ton will ensue, which gives promise that cor
rupt measures and excessive taxation will meet
with successful resistance whenever attempted.
This is an immense gain in the aggregate re-
suit, and is the prime source of encouragement
for the future, which will be shared by honest
men of all parties as an omen that the skies
are frightening in South Carolina, so long op-
pressed and pillaged under the guise of Repub-
licanism.