The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-20
S. G..
Sunday Morning. September 20, 1874,
OpposInK Views.


We find in the New York Tribune e.
interesting and dispassionate lette,
from Columbia. giving what is in the
main truthful account of our condi.
tion and OF the prospects of the future.
The Tribune correspondent held inter.
views both with General Kershaw and
Mr.. Chambetlain. We give portion
of the letter, embodying the views OF
each Of them upon questions of vital
interest to the public. It will be seen
that General Kershaw regards reform
through the regular Republican party
as impracticable, while he looks with
confidence to members of that party to
act Independently OF it in furtherine
the true interests of the State. MIR.
Chamberlain, on the contrary, consid-
ers reform as only possible through
Republican party success. We let
them speak for themselves in the extract
bearing particularly upon this point,
which we copy below. Says General
kershaw:
With any material that has been ut
all prominent in the Republican ranks
it seems to me RETURN can hardly be
hoped for; but there are some Rspub.
licans who have SO conducted them
selves as to secure the confidence of
the Conservatives, and I think upon
the nomination of either one of half
dozen who might be named, the Con-
servatives would be content to stand
aside, and even aid them in working
out reform. But nny such man
would find it very difficult to sustain
himself in an honest effort at reform,
as he would be by the old
party leaders. to whom the public treas
ury has become necessity. We
would, however, be glad to sec the ex-
pertinent tried at this time. The Con
servatives. however, are fully deter
mined, as far as I know their views, to
dispute the ground inch by inch
against aay man of known corruption
whom they may nominate. I trust it
'wil % done, if at all, upon the basis
'n Snch fair and liberal propositions to
the colored people rs will reduce the
issue in the canvass to the bare ques-
tion of honest administration, in order
that We may know. and the world may
know, whether it be possible, ss be-
lieve it is, to attract to the Oonserva-
tive support sufficient following of
the honest colored people to redeem
the State. II the election be fairly
conducted, an accession OF less than
10. 900 votes would secure the triumph
of the party of honesty. The difioul-
ty is in obtaining fair election. The
commissioners of election are to be
appointed by Governor Moses, and
experience has taught US that to ex-
pect anything but lair election when
the ballots are to be manipulated and
the votes received by such appointees
as are usually; made. Repeating and
other fraudulent practices, bsilot.box
stufting, 90, are the usual resort of
theee managers OF election to secure
triumph. One very serious obstacle
to q fair election is the location OF cleo
ton precincts, suddenly made without
notice, often in obscure and iuaccessi-
ble llaoes, whereby many Conserva-
tives are prevented from voting; and
another very 'serious difficulty results
from the want of registration ofivoters,
which would enable us to detect fraud.
With al ,this. however, we will enter
upon such canvass with good hope
of su6csss. relying upon evidences
which have been manifested in the
State in rtaany localities upon the part
of the colored people themselves to aid
In the good work of dethroning their
corrupt rulers. ! think the question
OF politics will be snbor linated entire
" In this contest to the necessity of
reform. believe that if there was an
honest bolt from this Republioah Oon-
vention. headed by an honest Repub-
lican tor Governor, and such negro
as Delaney or the present Lieutenant
Governor. the Conservatives would
unite In sustaining the movement. /
think our people regard the necessity
OF resoning the State as paramount to
all others at this time, and had it
pleased tho administration at Wash
ington to use its influence solely for
this end, the result would have been
the organization of a party in this
State under the lead of some of the
very best men in it, and followed by
the masses OF Conservatives, which
would have linked it's political fortunes
for veal or for woe TO those of Presi.
dent Grant-such party as would
have been credit to the State and to
the administration. Upon this speak
from data entirely conclusive to nv