New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-28
"IN CONTEMPT.n

I'm CONTEMPT"
With no disposition to interfere in the do
nestle concerns of the State OF South Carolina
or to find fault with the manner of doing things
under the new dispensatiOn, we yet make Doid
to say that there's danger Of the Con-
servatives making asses OF themselves:
Doubtless tho Conservative members OF
the Legislature do not need to be told that
in all their present proceedings they are re-
parded with unusual interest by the citizens
of other States as well as their own. haVing
held 80 long q very conspicuous position III
national politics as the turning point III new
policy, they cannot help being conscious that
the ewes of the country are on them. Or course
they know too that the policy of the Admin
istratiOn under which they have come into the
enioyment of what they hold to be their
rights is unpopular with many influential Ad-
ministration leaders, and that many OF them
consider it an experiment, the failure or success
of which depends entirely upon the dIspo-
sitiou of the conservative citizens OF the
State. They know that the mischief
makers who profit by civil disorder and live
upon sectional jealousies and perpetual dis
trust are only too eager to discover weakness
or wickedness in the new administration OF
State affairs. Knowing these things, it Is not
too much to say that they are acting like
parcel of fools.
What ridiculous nonsense is all this BRING
ing of members of the Legislature to the bar
for contempt and compelling them to apollo
gize for having given cOuntenance and sup
port to the Chamberlain OrganizatiOnf Of
what use IL it Is there any satisfaction,
pray, in compelling the men who have
held, and perhaps honestly held, opposing
views, to come up to the bar and apologize for
it, confess publicly and in terms that they
were wrong and say they are sOrryi 1t GER
tainly adds no dignity to the attitude of the
men whose success in the controversy has
placed them in position to command If, nor
does it elevate in hlic esteem the legislative
body that requires such humiliation from the
minority. 1t would have been no great stretch
of charity to have said that all these men
erred honestly, and that the differences which
existed as to tho legality and legitimacy
of the opposing State Governments were
such as honest men might have held
without raising question as to their
patriotism or integrity. To pass it all
over would have been so sensible and wise
a proceeding that il would have hardly
been worth giving it the praise OF mag
nanimity. That was the common sense way OF
doing business, but these Conservative repre-
sentatives could not fOrego the opportu-
nifty for humiliating opponents whom it
should have been sufficient satisfaction TO
have gained a triumph over. TO the aver
age man outside of South Carolina the whole
fI,a f,ntt .h nd NJ
child's play. II is not only ridiculous eXii-
bition of very petty spite, but is opposed to
the spirit of Gov. Hampton's professions and
TO all the protestatious of his followers, that
they harhOrcd no feelings of malice or revenge,
but were DESTROYS only of promoting peace,
friendship, and good will
Having shown their capacity for laundering,
and yindicated their notions of their own per-
sonal dignity and worth, they will be wise
now if they turn their attention away from
themselves, and from the solemn consideration
of the respect due them as members OF
legal Legislature, to something of more
practical moment. If they have truly repre-
scntcd tho condition of the State, they have
something more to do than sit Ill state and
listen to apologies from men who have had the
temerity TO differ with them upon questions
already settled. South Carolina, if we I'M
derstand the case rightly. has vastly more
need of practical legislation, of something like
craftsmanship in the making and executing Of
laws aud administering her domestic affairs,
than she has of apologies or explanations for
the past. Her rulers can well afford now
to let bygOnes he bygones: it is their
plain duty TO do ito turn away
from broodng over what they have suffered,
and look up hopefully TO a better, wiser, and
more prosperous future. And il they seek
an example of how to treat those who
have been Z" in contempt" we can COM
mend them to no better illustration than
was afforded by the treatment they
themselves received at the hands of q
government which they so long and so openly
c0ntemned. Ii isn't good to be always rcmem-
bering old grudges and exacting apologies.
There's better work for statesmen and legls-
ators, for nations and for States.