The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-12-17

which the changed condition Of affairs
presents. Amid difficulties which seem
cd almost msupcrablc, and in the face
Of obstacles apparently insurnountable
the people Of South Carolina began the
work Of renovating the Government
and reforming the systems and policies
Of the State. The result is seen to-day
in the complete restoration Of the pub
lie credit, in the revival Of our institu-
tions of learning, IN the cnlnrging and
strengthening of our publicN school sys-
| TEN, in the increasing harmony between
the races, in the just and impartial adj
ministration Of equal laws, in the per-
feet security Of person and Of property,
in the rapid expansion Of our industrial
pursuits, in the steady development of
| our material resources, in the revived
hopes and the rcawakcncd energies OF
| our people. Under conditions such rs
these, with hearts filled with gratitude
for the blessings Of the present, we may
we'll look with hope and confidence to
the future. That hope and confidence
find increase in the promise which the
recent Federal elections give Of moro
perfect harmony throughout our whole
country.
In the character and in the public
services of the distinguished citizen
who has been elected President we have
the sure guarantee Of safe, an honest
and an economical administration of the
General Government
Equal and exact justice to all men,
of whatever State or persuasion, rclig-
ions or politcnl.' "The support of the
State governments in all their rights, as
the most competent administrations for
our domestic concerns, and the surest
bulwarks against anti Republican ten
dcncics." The preservation Of the Gen
eral Government in its whole consttu-
tional vigor, and the shcet-anchor of
our peace at home and safety abroad.
1.-The diffusion Of information and the
arrangement Of all abuses at the bar of
public reason :" these are among the
principles which jefferson declared
should be the creed Of our political
faith.
In the practical recognition Of these
principles, in the administration Of the
General Government, will be found the
correction Of many Of the abuses from
which we now suffer. As is we'll
known the result Of the recent election
WAS not achieved solely as the success
of mere political party. but it. was due
IN large measure to the earnest and uni
ted efforts Of men who have hitherto
been opposed TO that party whose nomi-
nee has been chosen to the Presidency.
In this fact there is much to encourage
the hope that henccforth, however the
political parties in the Union may diff
fer upon questions Of public policy,
they will not again he separated by race
antaSonis,ns or divided by geographical
lines.
This consummation, so dcvoutlv to be
wished, will tend to the formation of
that more perfect union which our
matchless institutions were designed to
secure.
+ But bright as is the promise thus Of
fcred to us, we must no, forget that the
hours of victory bring with them great
responsibilities.
If we are not equal to these RESPONSE
billions the popular verdict lately rem
dered may be, and properly will be. re-
yersed Mt the next Presidential election.
The fact that in South Carolina all
departments Of the State government
are controlled by one race Of the same
political party but adds to our RESPONSE
bility. Without the wholesome check
which strong minorities in n govern
mcnt oppose to the abuse Of power we
should te the more careful to act with
scrupulous justice and fairness. Both
within and without the State fears arc
entertained of oppressive and unju t
Legislation, and .distrust is felt of our
motives and purposes. The result will
prove that the fear is groundless and the
distrust unrounded.
We can now show to the world the
unfairncss and injustice Of the misrep-
reservations and the suspicious which
we have long and patiently borne. In
the history Of this State, for tho last
eight years, there is nothing to warrant
the belief that the civil and political
rights Of all the people will not be
safely guarded and securely protected.
In all the cxultation which followed
tho recent elections, have seen no
where in the press Of this State, or in
the reports Of public addresses, nor
have heard in private conference the
expression of any purpose to deny. the
full and complete recognition of all
those rights which, by the Constitution