Year: 1871

A south Carolina Democrat Would Imi-


tate Massachusetts,.


The following letter from Mr.. G. G.. Mem
mnger, late Secretary of the Treasury of the
Confederate States, is printed in the Charleston
Republican. 1t was addressed to the Governor,
and contains some important suggestions. Mr..
MemmiDger says:-


The leading fact which has probably induced your
action is the formation Of combinations, in many Of
the upper counties of the State which exhibit them
selves in acts OF violence upon those whom they
deem fit subjects for extraordinary visitation. There
can be no difficulty in ascertainng the of these
combinations. 1t is undoubtedly the conviction
that the existing government OF the State is utterly
corrupt and that 1t has failed in all the duties which
are required at its hands.


Various evidences have settled a conviction in the
minds of the whites that they must seek protection
outside Of the existing Government and as your
Excellency doubtless sees, these evils must result
in anarchy or civil war, unless some remedy be
speedily applied. The active OF all this evil is
clearly the Legislature Of the State. There 1t all
orginates there it has its abode, and from thencet
must be removed before peace or security can
be changed. Instead of representing ignorance and
vice, 1t must represent knowledge and
virtue. This 1t cannot do until you
method OF reforming an agency while the principal
continues the same, ana ignorance ana prejudice will
never select for their agents the wise and the good
Our troubles result from this and from neglect
of the great American aphOrism that taxation with
out representation is tyranny In or present sys-
TEN Of State government those who pay taxes have
no voice in the government. This investigation
clearly points to the only possible remedy, to wit





ture. Let this be improved, and the improvement of
the other follows Of course. more inte gent body
of voters, and one directly responsible to pay the
taxes which are imposed by their representatives.
would speedily provide remedy. Under their aus
pces an intelligent and yirtuous Legislature would
again make its appearance, aud the laws OF the
land and the public officers appointed to administer
them would again command public confidence and
ensure the peace and tranquility OF the State. All
this can be obtained by simply following the lead of
That State which our present rulers would regard
the fountain OF political WISDOM and amending
Constitution, as to conform the qualifications of
voters to those required in Massachusetts, Let the
voters be only such can read and have paid some
tax for the support Of the Government and the rep
resentatives will at once change their character.
Such a qualification in the voters would dis
criminate only against ignorance, aud would
place it in the power OF every man to take
part in the government, whatever may be his race
or color. The difficulty of such an amendment
arises from the fact that must find sufficient favor
with the existing authorities to command two
thirds vote. This difficulty Is real; but Is it not
worth the effort to overcome it? Without some
such change Ihe State must inevitably drift into
anarchy or civil war, and surely we already have
had sufficient experience OF the evils Of war to in
duce every one to seek their avoidance. III yOu sir,
would commence the movement by an earnest ap-
peal to the Legislature Immediately to submit the
Call OF a convention to the decision OF the people,
it Is not at all improbable that the movement
may succeed. 1t j. true that 1t will take
much time, and that much agitation must ensue.
But let every man weigh against these considera
tions the danger which must attend any other
course. Should even the violence which may be
apprehended be suppressed by military force, it is
not at all unlikely that, as their only remaining re-
source the entire community will refuse to pay their
taxes; and then where Will be the credit and Gov
ernment Of the State? q. G. MEMMINdER.