The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-03-14
COLUMBIA, S. C.
Saturday Morning. March IA 1874.
Prevention Better Than 0ure.

We have more than once made &C.
knovledgment of the interest taken in
affairs in this State by the Northern Re.
publican press. It has become con.
vinced that our condition is well-nigh
hopeless. because the very fountains. oi
our public life have been poisoned. II
has read lectures to those who have po,
htical control; it has e1patiated upon
the virtues of honesty and moderation
it has even launched threats against
them of being exscindsd from the ma
tional party, if they do not mend their
ways. The Administration nt Washing.
ton has also at last reaiized what dis
grace to republican Institutions has
grown up here under its wing. Elliott's
mission to preach repentance and to in.
eulcate purer political life upon the
Legislature of the State aud the officials
of the State Government, was inspired
from "these headquarters. But oil
that Elliott can suggest, ull that the
Radical Northern press can advise, al
That the National Administration can
threaten, all the plcadngs that may be
uttered from every quarter of the cuun-
try in favor of unloading and in favor of
reform, is but sound aud fury. signify
ing nothing to the organized and un,
scrupulons South Carolina robbers. It
ia like whistling jigs to milestone.
The louder tho voico of remonstrance,
the stronger the denunciations of danger
10 themselves and the party to which
they would like to hang on. the more
rascally is their conduct, tho moro un-
blnshing their Legislative and official lar
oenies. Of course, there are exceptions;
but the bulk of the leaders net now as
il they saw the end approaching. and
we're determined to mako the most of
sheir present opportunities.
The Philadelphia Press recognizes the
flcs that "terrible corruption" exists in
South Cnrolina. It speaks plainly to
the cerruptionists. It tells them that
the struggle with them is for existence,
that they are in imminent danger of
being ground to dust between the upper
and neither mill-stones of Northern
indignation and Southern hatred. They
must hasten to reform. to unload, to
prove their personal honesty, and to de-
monstrate their capacity for self-govern.
ment, &c. The Press coolly proposes
shis impossible condition to men, every
one of whom will laugh in his sleeve
when he reads it. What verdancy,
what ineffable twaddle! Parson Prim-
rose had some SUCCESS in reforming
criminals by the example of his own
pure life and the force of his humane
teachings. but he had tue advantage Of
preaching to them while in prison, un-
uergo,nY puuisuIaenv au1 ;no.A .4iuys.
alter cases. Fellows who
stand o'as s'it tF+,sHi.. "a; J. fi,,:,, rob.
bing it with both hands, who are borne
along Oh the wave of power more alb
solate and arbitrary than u despotism,
that nothing eau balk their
greed or curb their will. are not likely
to regard mornl snasion. Not until they
are frst made to disgorge and account
for their staalipgs; not until, like
Tweed. they look through prison bars
upon the outside world, which they have
defrauded, will tue thieves Of South
Carolina oe amenable to repentance.
Yon might us vel. expect purity in
ba1nio, or order in Pandsmoniun.
The Press discourages the South Ca.
ro;ina mcmovialsts in their application
SO Congress for redress. "Too lute," it
says. It says, further, that "there is
neither excuse nor authority for such
ut this time" On the con.
trary, there are abundant grounds,
so.ae of which We have shown, and
others we shall present 1T nnotilor time
We do not despair Of fndin. tho Press
i"hc 1iffsren. view, when i,s informn-
ten has become more full and exact.
What will it say when its advice shall ba
and tho evils which exist
here, and which it imperfccty aeea,
have Increased, as they nnst, an hun
ared fold? The present effort of the