The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-02-17
COLUMBIA, S. G.
Tuesday Morning. February II, 1874.
Tho Tax-Payers' Convention.

Tuesday Morning. February IL, 1874.
Tho Tax-Payers' Convention.
We are gratiaed that this day has
come. We are pleased to escape from
the necessity OF any longer arguing for
: the existence of tho Tax-Payers' Con-
vention. The reasons of it's assembling
have been fully set forth, it's right to be
has been sufficiently vindicated. II
meets in response to the general recogui-
tion of danger to the public liberty, ol
ruin and devastation to property, of the
increasing volume of corruption, pro-
fligacy and incompetency sweeping over
the land. In spite of the howls OF the
public pIunderers, in contempt of their
puny attempts to belittle and prejudice
it, in face Of .lukewarmness from few
so.called. friends. and of narrow-minded
views of its functions, calculated to
bring odium Upon it on the part Of
others, the,people have resolved to bear
the expressions, insults and corruptions
of this State Government no longer,
md have called and commissioned this
convention to act for them. They have
sent up their delegates to take counsel
together for the good of tho State, und
to devise measures. if possible, to re-
cover it to something like decent and
economical management. The taxes
imposed upon property con no longer
be paid, the shameful malpractices of
those in power can no longer be endured.
There must be some way of escape from
the wilderness of evils Which oppress
our people. we cannot be expected to
tarry in it forty years. The force OF
public opinion of the whole country,
and OF the North especially, which is
chargeable with u large part of the
trouble which has overtuken us, must
bo invoked, tho restraining power of
courts at home appealed to, tho effect OF
firm, united aud determined stand
against corruption fully tried. Tho
spirit Of our own people must he
aroused, their determination organized
into effective action. The colored popu-
lation who are in their representatives
tho victims and tools of set of shame
less sharpers aud rascals, must bo in
structed. in the evils which follow from
their blind credulity. The growing
cause of immigration must be recog-
nized, encouraged and more efficiently
organized, -
Many things must be done. The
convention which meets to-day will, we
trust, be equal to its high duties aud
responsibilities. We doubt not it will
act with equal discretion and frmness.
It may exert moral power which will
be felt through the length and breadth
of the land. It should avoid the errors
of the past, and be on guard against the
fatsery and oajolery cf those who would
turn it from it's high mission. There is
oocasa in sno owls 1iiiili, at;t;os &c, =:
the prospective ruin to oil the great in
terestc and to the character of the State
Itself. II ths opprobtium which rests
upon its name, to evoke the wisest
statesmanship and elicit the subtlest
forecast. If it should repress that spirit
which turns too exclusively to the past
to complain, instead Of to draw from it
inspiration; if it avoid certain rocks of
offence aud stones of stumbling, over
which some are prone to fall; if it give
no handle to the cunning rascals who
will lie in wait aud watch for every i'm
prudent word, and adroitly turn it to
iisadvantage-it it will establish itself in
the public confidence as sagacious. ca
pabl!e and prudent, and fully up to the
measure of the grave duties with which
it is charged. We cordially welcome the
convention. tn the name of the people,
We bid it Goi-speed.
o.
Addition, Division and Silence.
rhs House OF Representatives, has
y.,,cI IN oN,,s.nr;ut;o, &c