The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-01-25
RETROSPECTIVE.

1t twerc we'll for posterity that the present gen
Grafton of Seutherners should obtain lessons Of
wisdom from the past, and endeavor to impress
upon the new social and political systems now gov
erning noneof those effoteand impotent1deas rem
dered obsolete by the vast changes OF untoward
events Hitherto, it has been considered rare anu
exceptional for talent, energy and industry VIII
ont the combination of wealth, tos attain the full
measure of success and rcnown in the South. This
has always been erroneous, in our humble opinion,
for there arc thousands of instances all through the
records of craftsmanship where this heinous doc
trine is controversial But its very prevalence,
and the tame acouiescencc of aspiring and ambi-
tious Young men in its truth, almost engrafted it
permanently upon the people. We conceive that,
with tbe different relations now existing, there
will arise from the ashes of the decayed past to-
tally opposite thcory and it is for the purpose of
directing atcntonto the evils aecruing heretofore,
that We are induced to ventilate few thoughts
upon this subject.
Prior to the war, it was entirely too common for
the people, especially of South Carolina to rely
upon certain prominent individuals for the forma-
ton of opinions, local and national. Public at
fairs were entrusted alone to the care of such as
were chosen to represent them in tho State and
Federal Legislatures and very often the promul
cation of views from these agents OF the people
firmly bound the action of nine-tcnths of the
masses. Politics were briefly and hastily con-
sidered and the conduct of politicians loosely re-
rardcd For indubitable proof of this proposition,
it is only necessary to cite the prominent instance
of the disrupture of the Democratic party. Here
there was no clear and definite expression of South
Carolina, but only the absorbing element of such
as choose to take the lead We would not be mis-
understood however, in bringing forward this in
stance. Undoubtedly, the political education OF
the masses induced them to endorse the policy
when they consummated the act Of secession. Yet,
the history of that naked Observation-Disclosures
ment of the Democratic party-proves that the
pcoplc were not then informed sufficiently as TO
their interests and the great issues involved They
relied too implicitly upon the pse dtzit of this or
that public man, and careless and indifferent on
the subject, another stride brought them to face
the issue of secession or submission to sectional
rule When this came, there was but one re-
sponse. 1t was then too late to exercise preven-
tive measures, and there was no alternative before
US
If these assumptions are right, then is it not
clearly the duty Of every lover of his section and
country to shape his future course so as to avoid
the shoals and qui .ksands upon which the vessel
was rent in twain Must not the leaders hereaf-
, ,Dkf forf fbnir officinl n
duct? We think so, and believe that it is high
time the sovereign voice of the people should be
directed to the expression of an earnest dctcrmi-
nation that the revolutionizcd system of public
policy shall obtain different impetus from them
directly. If those who have been trusted and hon
ored with public confidence heretofore, have not
fulfilled their missions worthily, displace them
with new men, and sustain the ndclible resolution
that only those who recognize the supremacy OF
the governed shall fill the high Offices and execute
important trusts.
Above all, encourage the laudablo ambition
which induces the youthful strength and vigor OF
the land to deserve your confidence. Let 1t not
be said that the men who reriled life and limb in
in your defence are to be set aside for the advance
mcnt of others less worthy, by their own. deeds
and actions. Realize the stern mandate which
has created this mighty uphcaval of society, and
be prepared to act and think in the future for
yourselves. With an enlightened andwell-inform-
ed population, 10 direct and govern the leaders,
VIC may truly believe that the prosperity and re-
nown of the past will be far exceeded by the fu-
trro of our bcloved State