The daily gazette., 1877-01-23
rhe wual Government fn sou,h Caro-
Ifna

Pending the delivery of the report of
the committee on the political condition
Of South Carolina, it would have been
only decent for Senator Patterson from
the State to put by his resolution asking
that the Chamberlain government be rec
ognized. But he fears that the facts gath
cred by that committee and about to be
reported will not make his proposition
appear wise or just. Hence he has sought
to steal march on the committee. 1t is
not probable that the Senate will adopt
his resolution; and should they do so, the
House Will doubtless disagree with them.
at least, that branch will do nothing de-
clsive until the results of the authorized
investigation have been made known. In
the meanwhile the supporters of the
Hampton government are taking good care
to give to the Administration not the
slightest pretext for military interference
Whatever the opposition may saJ of the
claims of the Hampton officials, no one
can honestly assert that they are behav-
ing rashly or imprudently, or doing aught
by act or word to break the peace. From
the Governor downward they are truly
exerting themselver to keep their friends
quiet and patient. The public meetings
held by the Hamptonites have been
marked by good sense and moderation,
and even their newspaper organs are
calm and rational, which is more than
can be said of all the party journals at
the North. Instead of that superficial ex-
element which accompanies most con-
tested elections, and which crops out in
turbulent assemblages, the passage of
fiery resolutions, and in red-hot editorials
we note in South Carolina an all-pervad.
ing earnestness in the conservative ranks,
which takes the more prosaic and seful
form OF the payment of takes.
When men are willing to pay taxes to
maintain one or two c0ntesting State
governments they offer one of the most
substantial proofs of their faith in it. The
investigating committee may not deem
this fact worthy of mention in their re-
port, but it is one which business men
everywhere will appreciate at its true
value. In response to a call made by
Governor Hampton for a contribution of
ten per cent. of last years taxes, money
is literally pouring into the hands of the
special agents appointed to receive it in
all parts of the State. In Charleston full
ly one-third of the tax called for was paid
in three days, and similar encouraging
counties. The landowners and merchants
nearly all, in fact, who have pecuniary
interests in the State-are talking this
most effective course to express their |
preference for the Hampton govern
ment. Among the number are many of |
the colored race, who believe that their |
property will be more secure and all |
their rights net less respected under o |
State government than un-
der carpet-bag rule. Neither white men
nor negroes respond with this cheerful
alacrity to the demands of the Chamber
liam faction, and the want of ready funds |
is the most serious difficulty now in its
way. Few of its adherents have any
money to spare, and those who do are
slow to advance it. Hence the anxiety
of that faction to get an early recogni- |
lion from Congress or the President, ,as it |
Is believed that step would cause a diver
sion of the funds from Hampton's trea-
,ury to that of the other side. The money |
Test is the crucial one as between the two |
governments of South Carolina, and if |
The Federal power will let the question /
alone the Chamberlain party will soon |
be forced to the wall for lack of funds. 1t |
SAn only be sustained by the direct in
5ervention of the General Governmentil
As the South Carolina trouble is thus in |
1 fair way of settling itself peaceably in
accordance with the operation of natural |
avs, there is no necessity and there is no /
excuse for Congress or the Administra- |
ion to intefere in it at ALL