The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-06


foul odors. negro supremacy simply be-
comes unbearable. We tried il in all the
cities, but more at large in some OF the
States. From 1868 to 1876 the negro
dominated South Carolina, under the
joint supervision OF imported and home
leaders In some OF the other States it
was as bad, but this picture is the white
mans excuse for wanting, If possible, to
avert the calamity.
A Northern historian visiting South
Carolina when the negroes by force and
number ruled in the courts OF justice and
in the Legislature, wrote rs follows:
Here, then, is the outcome, the ripe,
perfected fruit OF the boosted civilization
OF the South after 200 years OF experience.
A white community that had gradually
risen from small beginnings till it grew
into wealth, culture and refinement, and
became accomplished in all the arts Of
civilization; that successfully asserted its
resistance to a foreign tyranny by deeds Of
conspicuous valor; which achieved liberty
and independence through the fire and
in the councils OF the nation by orators
and statesmen worthy of any age or ma
ton, such community is then reduced
W Nillo. IL Alto HIOolIdlt III llC uuolg
ruled over by this strange con-
glomerate gathered from the ranks OF It's
own servile population. In
the place of this old aristocratic society
stands the rude form Of the most ignorant
Democracy that mankind ever saw in
vested with the functions OF government. 1t
is the dregs OF the population habiitated in
the robes OF their intelligent predecessors,
and asserting over them the rule OF igno-
rance and corruption through the inexora-
BILE machinery OF majority OF numbers
II is barbarism overwhelming civilization
by physical force. Let us APP
proach nearer and take closer view. We
will enter tho uonse oil Representatives
Here sit l2i members; Of these twenty
three arc white men, representing the re.
mains OF the old civilization.
These twenty-three white men are but the
Observers the enforced auditors OF the dull
and clumsy imitation ofa deliberative body,
whose appearancein heirpresent capacity
is at once wonder and shame to mod
ern civilization, But the reader
will find any portraiture inadequate to give
a vivid idea OF the body, and enable him
10 comprehend the complete metamor-
phosis OF the South Carolina Legislature
without observing its details. The Speaker
is black, the Clerk is black, the Doorkecp-
ers are black, the little Pages are black,
the Chairman OF the Ways and Means is
black, and the Chaplain is coal black. At
some OF the desks sit colored men whose
types it would DO hard TO find outside OF
Congo; whose costumes, visages, attitudes
and expressions only beiit the forecaslle OF
buccaneer."
Again the writer says:
"1he corruption OF the State Govern
ment OF South Carolina is topic that has
grown threadbaro in the handling. The
last administration stole right and left
with a recklessness and audacity without
parallel. The robbery under il embraced
all grades OF people. The thieves had 10
combine TO aid one another. They did
not even attempt 10 conceal their plumber.
The whole Of the late administration which
terminated its existence in November,
1872, was q morass OF rottenness, and the
present administration was born OF the
corruption Of that There seems to be nc
hope, therefore, that the villainies Of the
past will be speedily uncovered. The
present Governor was Speaker OF the last
House, and he is credited with having
lNNWfus huIlnE lllN AtNih III hlAiAtf bNNi
800, 900 Of pay certificates. which are still
unredeemed, and for which there is no ap'
preparation, but which must be saddled on
tho other taxpayers sooner or later.
"llow did YOU get your money! was
asked OF prominent Legislator and lob
byist. 4 siold II, was the prompt reply.
As II Is, taxation Is not in the least dimin
ished, and nearly s2,0OO,0OO per annum !,
raised for State expenses, when SlOO,OOt
formerly suiiiced. The new Governor has
the reputation Of spending $50, 600 10 $40,
600 year on salary of $500. But his
financial operations are taken rs matter
Of course, and only referred 10 with Sigh
ahrug OF the shoulders. The total amount
Of the stationary bill Of the House for the
twenty years preceding 1861 averaged Si0I
per annum, last year 1t was $4,000. II l
fearful 10 contemplate the thick comm,
issues that result from emancipation an,
cnfranohisement, which are now barely il
the bud and in tho blossom. The Ign,
rance manifested In black with It's dense
ness, and II Is not too much 10 say that, "A
the negro in slavery had absolutely NJ
morals, he comes out Of II entirely withou
morals. II Is bad enough 10 have the de
cency, and intelligence, aud property q
the State subjected 10 the domination o
liz ignorant black pauper multitude, but
becomes uncomfortable when 10 that igno
rance the worst vices are superadded."
And again he says:
CAS- Il il morally, No II Is intellectually
These same rulers Of great state, speak
ing Of them ~ whole, neither read no
write. They arc ~ ignorant aud irrcspon
sible In the exercise Of their poliica
functions - would be the Bcdouin Ara
81 the desert, or the rowing Comnnchcs q
lhc plains. II called upon 10 choose th
rulcrs OF New York or Massachusetts,.
this the self government for which the wa
Of seven years was wag'd, in which III
best blood OF the nation was shed, aud {
secure the results OF which a written Con
slitution was painfully elaborated by II
wiscst aud most conscientious men, !
order that Justice and liberty might fof
ever be maintained In the States Of IA
model American rcpublic2 Tell us whi
Government OF any civilized State Of Oh
Old World, u imported into South Car,
lima, would be as oppressive upon, aud 0
untitled Tor the 10000 white people /,
that State M that which now ourscs
under the name Of Republican,
Ia AL modern history there has been n
substitution Of Ignorance for knowlcdg'
Of barbarisn for cultivation, OF siOlidit
for intelligence, Of inoapacity Tor skill, {
wee and corruption for prObity aud VII
tue. In the revolutions and changes thi
have taken place. But Il Is q
together otherwise In the case Of Sout
Carolina. Here rs one 10 which all mot
cm history does not furnish parable"
In 1857, the Legislature Of that Stat
appointed a committee to investigate Ill
expenditures during negro domination