The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-04-17
COLUMBIA, S. G.
Friday Morning. April II, 1874.

yinead that there is something abnormal
i'm the condition Of the State Govern
Hea4 OF South Carolina; something
which weighs heavily upon the pros
perity Of its people; something which
threatens their security and impedes
their advancement. It is unnecessary
70 prove that this impression exists.
The we'll informed journals, more espe-
Gially the Republican, have spoken in
no uncertain tones upon this point.
The latest heard voice comes from Geo.
Vim. Curtis, in Rarper's Weekly, o
journal which has always stood at the
fuYthest extreme from the opinions and
policies prevalent IN THE State. and en-
Szsly beyond the pale OF sympathy
With it. In its last number it admits
shat "there is no doubt OF the situation
II South Carolina. The testimony is
conclusive and overwhelming It is
time that the country heard aud needed.
The issue of honest administration,
which now threatens to divide the Re-
publican party, necessitates, in its OPT
nion, the correction Of tho evils which
s1ist in our PROSTATE State. It asks
Why tho party "does not right, as nearly
as is possible, by Congressional or Ex.
sc@tive action, whenever either is practi.
cable, the conspicuous and menaoing
wrongs, both of Louisiana and South
Carolina" When Harpers Weekly is
convinced, We have q right to infer that
alrdonbt is dispelled. The general facts
pt the situation here, as enunciated TO
shef American people by the Conscrva-
sivea> OF South Carolina, may, accord
inglys ne laid down as universally ad-
nitted.
Bat tire citadel of power is not carried
YET: The central agency, tho National
Government, has as yet hardly enter
sained the questions in issue. 1t has it's
hands full. Its own affAirs engross it's
sstOstion. Me mode by which it may
perpetuate its own existence absorbs it's
thoughts. It hesitates to turn aside
ifouL the regular routine of official life,
10 consider suoh things as wrongs, griev.
Anoes and troubles, which it does not
Itself feel. It is encrusted with forms
all round with red tape. Be-
sides all this, there are real difficulties
in tha way OF it's prompt consideration
T'suoR novel state OF things, involv-
ing, to some extent, reflection upon
stsslf. And j. is but right to ooncede,
400, that it may justly conceive it to be
its duty not to yield too ready cre-
asnoe to statements which tend to i'm
pugu the authorities which it has con-
stitutea and naturally inclines to sus-
sain. It will require, and it should re.
quire, strong proof before it condemns
We can appreciate its reluctance to en-
gage in Investigations which may unset
iie easy and comfortable convictions.
Bnt truth is truth. and it is impossible
70 escape the duty Of willingness to
learn. it, or the opprobrium Of readiness
10 reject it. Sneh unwelcome truth is
pressed home upon the Government in
3hese ominous words of Mr.. Curtis:
''rhe machine is worked by the ring in
ScOth Carolina, under the supposed
of the Republican administra-
lion. at Washington. IT that authority
should be withdrawn, nothing is moro
certain than that the "machino" will
get out Of order. Not leading Radical
IN South Carolina but fears this. It is
shs sum and substance of reasons with
Il m for desiring the continued protec-
zion Of the Government. It is their
battery. Uncover it, and they
can fight justice, right good government
and common honesty and aecency no
longer. The National Government is,
therefore, not only under the ordinary
general obligations to be just, to do
eight, to ascertain facts correctly and to
act conscientiously upon them, but to
purge itself from association with and
patronage Of the corruption which basks
i'll its sunshine and is upheld by its
power.
The demand of the committee of the