The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-03
COLUMBIA
Tuesday Morning, July 5. 1868.
The Old Parties.


others by any word OF suggestion to
do so. The call for the convention
of all true Union men has, however,
provoked some discussion where the
old party issues are still kept up, as
to how they will be affected and how
they will act under the circumstances.
We consider that all the friends of
Union, harmony and peace should
unite and be fully represented in the
approaching Convention, which has
been called to meet in Philadelphia
next month, whatever may have been
their old party afiiations-Whig,
Democrat or Republican. These old
parties never had before them the
grave issues now presented to the
people Of this country, and the only
object should be to take the ''nearest
cut" to restoration and peace.
Looking at the subject in this point
Of view, we regret to see that con-
servative New York journal the
World take different view Of the
matter in its Thursdays issue. That
paper takes the ground bodily that it
is too late for this movement-thati if
it had been adopted earlier it would
have sustained it; and, moreover, as
serts that the Democratic party do
not see anything in it which should
induce them to give up their s'party"
organization. Are we never to be rid
of these partisan squabbles, espe-
cially when the country demands no.
thing but simple, pure patriotic move
ments to restore the union of the
States of the republic Why the
World, which for many months we
have deemed truly conservative
journal. totally ignoring the old and
efete party issues, should take the
ground indicated in the two para
graphs we extract from the article we
allude to, we cannot possibly con-
ceive. The World says:
eff President J Johnson or his friends
had any idea of organizing a new
party, they should have commenced
at least eight months earlier. Eight
or ten months ago, the President
stood well in the estimation of the
Republican party, a majority of
whom, at that time, deprecated a
separation from him. Then, none of
their papers had openly attacked him,
and few had ceased to speak of him
with respect. But every day that has
elapsed since the meeting Of Congress
has weakened his hold upon the affec-
tions of the party, which has now
settled into hopeless estrangementa and
alienation. While he has slept, the
enemy has sown tares. Had a Ma
tional Convention been called in De-
cember, the friends of the President
might have had the co-operation of
large portion of the Republican
party, and have secured for him many
Republican papers, which, during the
winter. gradually yielded to the infu-
ence of Congress, and have taken an
attitude of declared hostility. To
wait till nearly the whole Republican
party has been detached, embittered,
and fully committed against the Pre-
sident. and then attempt to form new
party, is like letting seed-time and
even summer pass, and then making
great ado of ploughing and sowing
amid the frosts of autumn.
eff the President has no faith in
this tardy and belated movement, it
will do no harm. But if he thinks a
new Congress, favorable to his policy,
can now be elected, except by the
Democratic party, and if, under this
illusion, he wastes his influence in
nursing a new and dumb organiza-
ton, it will be equally unfortunate
for him and for the country. He will
have thrown away great opportu-
nifty. BE will afterwards figure merely
as the head of feeble personal party,
instead of being backed by great
and truly national organization, pow
erful in every State, and embracing
majority of the whole people,"
If the World is going to make
lofty and remarkable political somer-
sault, so be it; but it has failed to
convince us that there are not men in
all the old parties, who will gladly
come to the rescue of the country
and the Constitution from the da-