Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-04-07
SOUTH CAROLINA.

The present condition of South Carolina is
wretched almost beyond belief. She has, as
the Baltimore Gazette trnthfuly remarks,
been robbed of the last dollar; her citizens
are murdered in the interior by negro outlaws;
six brutal murders have taken place in one
county within few months land is nearly
valueless, and hardly covers the taxes; the
Uesro laborers are insubordinate the courts
are dishonest criminals are discharged almost
as fast as convicted by pardons granted it con-
sideratiou of political influence or services;
the Freedmen's Bureau has been used as a
rolical engine for sowing discussion between
whites and negroes; IN every social and POI
lttical aspect tho State is PROSTATE, defense
less and ruined. The expenses of govern
ment have augmented fvefold, aud the basis
of taxation has decreased since the war in the
same proportion. Net only are the taxes thus
burdeusome, but the legislative rabble at
Columbia so apportion them that they all, or
nearly ALL fall upon the white citizens. To
such an extent has this been carried, that in
1872 alone the sales of land by the State for
non payment Of taxes amounted to two huns
dred and eighty-eight thousand acres. and if
the revenue still in default was pressed there
would hardly plantation in large portion
OF the State remain in the possession of its
present owner. So desperate did affairs be-
come st last that the recent Taxpayer Con-
veItiOn" sppointeda committee to visit Wash
iDston aud lay the grievances of the State be-
fore Congress aud the President They will
hardly get any relief from the former. 1t Is
TIE Conservative instead of the Republican
OK which is gored, and although Republican
form Of government no longer exists except
in moekery in South Carolina. Congress las
no political motive for Interference. And
General Grart has no personal motive to in,
terfere, no friends 20 serve and 10 capital to
make. lie went out Of his way to Insult the
delegation which called upon him, and his re
marks are too characteristics not to be given
In full:
Gentlemen After listening to what has
been said, do not see that there is anything
that can be done, either hy the cxecntive or
by the legislative branch Of the National
Government, to better the CONDITION of things
which you have described South Carolina
has now complete existence as q sovereign
State, and must make her own laws IF
those laws are oppressive to her people. it is
very much to be deplored But what is the
cause of the evils in your State nav be
question worth considering Whethera part
of that cause is not due tn Yourselves vheth,
er it is not due to the extreme views which
you have held, whether y0ur own action has
not consolidated the nnn>tax paving 1,ort;on
Of your community against you, ere questions
which leave for Your own consideration I
feel great Sympathy with any rcor,ie who are
badly governed and nrc!taxaR. as is the case
in Louisiana, and as as" seems to he the con-
dition of South Carolina. Bu, will saw to
Won candidly There the Presidents manner
hardened vi~ihiy1. that While have watched
the proceedings of vour Tax-ravers' Com
ventinu with little interest. Il norton Of
my sympathy has been distracted bv t:e re-
ru-al Of certain speech dcIirered during its
deliberations viler and more sfapderous than
anything have ever experienced before oven
among nv worst enemies in the North-a
speech more bitter in is's personality and
fal=ehnod than emitting have ever seen,
even in the Now York Swn
The irritation o. the President was nm
doubtedly unworthy Of his rosition. The
speech in question WIS made with the Gisap>
probation of the Convention and the speaker
was quietly snuhbcd at its close. 20 take
such notice of it a, such tine was piiful
exhibition Of srifeful senSi,ivencss. Let
South Carolina be friend or foe of the Ad-
mi"istra.ion, shois entitled to justice, and
that is just what she will fail of getting
That is a commodity which Is sold at Essh>
iDgtOn, not given away; battered for inau>
ence, votes; bargained for, Iobbied f"r-'tis
thing that has value, -tauzibil'y, mnrkc.a-
bic qualities. Until South Carolina can '.put
isePs5z 1zsher purse. " aud conscience in her
paekst gainsthe ear of Butler. Morton,
% one she will find no remedy
for her yfoGgs in the halls of Congress-
These are given over utterly to self seeking
and corruption.
sHEN. VALLEY RAILROAD.