The Daily Phoenix

Letter from Mr. D. H. Chamberlain

The state of affairs in South Carolina at this moment, resulting from local misrule and its consequences, is so grave that all suggestions looking to relief should be treated with patriotic consideration. Mr. Chamberlain, the Attorney-General, has, upon more than one occasion, evinced a truer appreciation of the gravity of our situation in this State, than his party associations would lead us to expect. Whilst avowing himself a sincere adherent of Republicanism, he protests that his Republicanism must not be confounded with those practices and excesses which in South Carolina have brought the term into disrepute.

Mr. Chamberlain has the intelligence to see that the present abnormal condition of things in South Carolina is inconsistent with order, peace and development. He has further the candor and justice to acknowledge and to denounce the abuses that exist on the part of the dominant party. As to the remedy, he holds that the system of minority representation, by cumulative voting, is the one that furnishes the true solution to the great problem of peace in the State. In Mr. Chamberlain's advocacy of this principle, we fully concur, as our readers have reason to know. At the same time, it is but just to remark that the advantages connected with this measure of reform are prospective and contingent. They may or may not be available. It is the remedy for many of the evils that afflict the State, and looks to the due settlement of our troubles. But what guarantee have we that the rank and file of the dominant party, who hold the numerical power, will agree to the wise concession? Although just and fair and creditable to pronounce it good; how easy for self-seeking demagogues to persuade the body that peace upon it to vote it down at the last moment! Whilst, therefore, we are fully persuaded of the efficacy of the measure of minority representation, we cannot but bear in mind the fact that the great point is to make it available. In other words: the question is, not whether it is a good thing, but whether or not it will be conceded, and thus made of practical advantage as a remedy to be now relied upon. This consideration, however, does not debar us from commending Mr. Chamberlain's advocacy of the measure, and we trust that his influence with his political associates may be instrumental in securing for the common good a wise voting system. As to the demands which Mr. Chamberlain holds that the public should make and enforce, looking to present relief, they are, we are persuaded, just demands, and we hope such as may with success be insisted upon.

Mr. Chamberlain opposes violent methods as a mode of relief, and holds that peaceful and legal agencies can be successfully invoked to redeem the State and restore it to wholesome rule. This, we earnestly trust, may be the case, and measures to this end, we hope, the sagacity of the approaching convention may initiate. Much depends upon the temper and disposition of the dominant party. We are satisfied that the minority in the State would hail with satisfaction a peaceful settlement of our troubles. To bring about this result, no efforts should be spared and no reasonable method left untried.

Reason tells us—experience teaches us—history writes it upon page after page—that bloodless reforms are the safest; that a State's enduring interests are best subserved by such political changes as are effected by civil means and through the instrumentality of law and legal forms. That the reform demanded in this State may find this kind of consummation, every thoughtful and right-minded citizen will hope. But the responsibility rests in the main with the majority. Under the forms of law, they led the State into the wilderness. Under the forms of law, in a spirit of just concessions, they may lead the State out. Will they do it? We shall see. We doubt, but shall not despair.