The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-18
STRUGGLING ALONE.


Gov. CHAMBERLAIN, of South Carolina,
has received pleasant momento OF his
visit to Lexington during the Centen-
nisl. Mrs. GEORGE w. TAYLOR in be-
half of Mrs. Ii. WEsTwooD, who WAS
prevented from going South, presented
To the Governor from the ladies of Lex
ington, handsomely mounted walking
stick out the still surviving lilac tree
which overshadows the door Of the par
sonage," the frequent resort Of HANCOCK
and ADAMS. Gov. CHAMBERLAIN
spirited letter OF acknowledgement closes
with these words:
al beg you to accept my grateful
thanks for the PERSONAL and touching
compliment conveyed by your gift and
note, and, above all, to carry back u
Massachusetts and Lexington this mess
aye: One hundred years ago South Car
olina and Massachusetts were struggling
together for freedom and independence;
to-day South Carolina is struggling atone
for good government. By the memories
of Lexington and MOultr e, we beseecn
Massachusetts to stand by as IN hls dr.
ertremitu in the spirit OF Adams and
Hancock,
"With profound respect and admra
ton | am, dear madam and ladies OF
Lexington, your most grateful and obcdi-
ent servant, "D. Ii. CnAMBERLAIN,
"Gorenor of South Corotin0.'
There is world of meaning in that
one sentence, "to.day South Carolina is
struggling alone for good government"
How true, yet how sadly true. Just one
hundred years ago Massachusetts was
struggling for local government and then
the cause Of Massachusetts was made the
cause of South Carolina, and together
they struggled for freedom and indie
pendcnce. One hundred years have
passed and to-day Sosth Carolina Is
struggling for local government, but she
is struggling alone. 1t is not struggle
against the tyranny of an intelligent
monarchy AS that of the hundred years
ago, but is struggle against ignorance
and vice. The British soldier would
have made an easy master IN comparison
with the ureducated negro or unscrupu-
ious carpct-bagger. The extremity OF
South Carolina in this Centennial year
il ten fold more dire than
that of Massachusetts in Coleman
DAYS. Her people arc berett OF every
attribute of self government. The cont-
dence of All classes IN the supremacy OF
law has been destroyed. Criminals are
pardoned from her penitentary and
made law givers. There is no security
for life or property, and the uphfted
hand of Justice is continually being ar
rested in the court rooms before the in
dignant gaze of her people. The COM
mon fame of her Legislature is that 1t Is
body in which no measure can be carried
without bribery.
There is no form OF ruin TO which
she has not fallen prey, no curse with
which she has not been baptised and no
cup of humiliation and suffering which
her people has not drained to the dregs.
Such Is the condition to-day of South
Carolina once the proud land of MARIO n
and SUMTER, now the most wretched
State that the sun shines on in its course
through the heavens. she is bankrupt,
her prosperity blighted at home and
abroad; without peace happiness or hope !;
and AL her liberties stolen, rs well
as her material substances. One
hundred years ago she stood proud, bright
and beautiful To day she stands with her
skeleton frame and withered deaths head
admonishing all the world of the loath.
some consequences of a government fash
toned in hate and fans,icism, and founded
upon the ignorant and vicious classes of
mankind. She may have erred, but
dearly has she paid for the error. Her sins
may have been many snd deep, and o.
the color of scarlet, yet they will become
as white as WOOL in comparison with those
that have been committed against her IN
the hour OF her helplessnoss and distress
"Struggling alone for good government !"
No, not alone, although it may seem SO
to the brave yet Inundated people, who
hear no other sound except those that
reach them through mournful winds,
playing among the cypress and palmetto.
Not alone, for the Centennial year has
awakened memories Of Moultrie, Of
Kings Mountain, Of Eutaw and gallant
deeds of SUMTER, of MABIoN and HANP-
TON, and thousands of good and patriotic
citizens throughout this broad land are
determined that the shackles shall be
stricken from your limbs; that You
shall have liberal government
Of intelligence and virtue. The people
are going TO stand by you in your dire