Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-02-26

The recent experience of South Carolina
illustrates the adage that it is darkest just
before the dawn. During the year or more
just preceding the elections Of last Novem-
FER, the utterly deplorable, almost hopeless
condition of the affairs of South Carolina
gained for it, by common consent, the
name Of "The PROSTATE State" 1t was the
State of all the South in which the negroes
had the most uuquestioned majority and
were most fully responsible for the con-
duct of the government The most san
guine Republicans had never expected
that the freedmen would at once he capable
Of administering an unexceptionable gov
eminent, but the peculiarly complete and
wretched failure they seemed to have made
in South Carolina was a stone ofstumbling
TO the friends of the negro and a rock of
oilense to his enemies. The evils of the
South Carolina government were so glaring
that no party sought 10 palliate them. The
denunciations of Republican papers were
as scathing as those of the Democratic
press.
This being the situation of affairs and
opinions, an overwhelming victory for the
Democracy might naturally have been
looked for at the November elections. In
any northern stale a political revolution
would inevitably have followed such gross
Encouragement. But the negroes are very
obstinate in their political allegiance TO
Republicanism, and it was believed posi-
BILE to effect a reform within the party, that
idea which so much excites the derision of
GGin,lapoulant - iOurnoIicnn Tho raf,rn,
wing of the Republicans nominated and
elected Daniel ii. Chamberlain, a native of
Worcester county in this state, and grad
uate Of Yale College. Mr.. Chamberlain is
one of that class of men called carpet bag.
gers, that is to say, one of those northern
men whom southern conventions, politi-
clans and papers pressingly urge to come
SOUTH and, when they come, curse, black
guard and ostracise, the northern Demo-
cratic press Loyalty echoing the outrageous
TRADE. Mr.. Chamberlain's inaugural adj
dress was most cheering document whose
promise his administration has kept. The
whole influence of his office has been
thrown as honestly as wisely in behalf of
reform measures. The legislature, which
has retained a Republican majority, has
heartily Joined with the governor in
patient and earnest effort to retrace the
mistakes, unravel the blunders, and make
good the frauds of the previous period. No
individual who by sef-reform is rising
from the gutter TO responsibility shows a
more earnest purpose of amendment than
does the whole State of South Carolina.
The Democrats recognize the intention of
Gov. Chamberlain aud cordially cooperate
with him. The Democratic papers of the
state generally do him full credit, and
heartily commend the new departure OF
the Republicans. An era of good feeling
prevails in the state such as is not equaled
in any other state south of Virginia. The
bonds of South Carolina have appreciated
ten per cent in the New York market since
November. And this is South Carolina,
which six months ago was known by COM
mon consent by the piteous title of "The
PROSTATE State" This is a case of reform
within the party; this is a specimen of
negro seli-government.-S Springfield UniOn