The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-05-14
CHI AR L Es TON.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY IA, 1858.
Delay is SAFETY.

Inc C0n6erVaClVe W Waru moettuRo uoiu VI
Tuesday night did not act together. Each
Ward appointed delegates to the convention
of all the Wards which is to nominate a
Mayor, but only three Wards made nomi-
nations for Aldermen. There was but little
active concert of purpose, and it does seem
that many of the electors are more inter-
ested in securing pet nomination than in
working for the common good. This ia
widely different from the manner in which
the Radical strength is welded, and, unless
the white Conservative party are prepared
to adopt the Republican principle of voting
solidly for the nominees Of the party, their
organization will be of no Importance,
force, or value.
In three OF the Conservative Ward meet
ings referred to, resolutions were adopted
iustructing the nominating convention to
use their own discretion as to the time of
making nomination. This seemed super
erogatory, as the convention had not been
ordered to meet, or nominate, upon any
particular day; but the resolutions can do
no harm, and are of value as q manifesta-
tion Of the feeling that at this time FEsrIsA
LENrE,-"Hasten slowly, our safest
motto. ,,.s 1s5. 49,
The Republicans have not yet made their
formal nominations. They are aware that
the white element is opposed to them. but
they have been told often that a moderate
Republican nomination would carry with it
aconsiderable white vote, as well as the
united support Of the oolored people. They
feel that they can count upon general vote
for whoever may be the regular nominees
Of the party, but they may feel disposed
to conciliate the white element by selecting
persons as candidates who have not made
themselves especially obnoxious. Many in
auences are 9, work that may affect the
character of the Republican nominations;
and these influences will be of no avail if.
the Conservatives are too eager to show
their hand. ,.s.s,.
The Conservative strength is limited. 1t
cannot control the elections. At best it can
only serve as the nucleus around which may
crystalize political particles which have no
centre Of their own. The Conservatives,
therefore, have nothing to gain by hot haste.
If they are united, their vote will be cast
for their nominees whoever they may be; if
they are divided, it matters not who are
nominated, for not one Of their nominees will
be elected.
It is said, of course, that the Conserva-
tive nominee for Mayor should be before
the public, so that his claims may be scru-
tinizsd and his eligibility osnvassed. This
is not the way in which candid men should
talk. The nomination for Mayor must be
confirmed in mass NEE: ing, and that will be
scrutiny and canvass enough. If nomi-
nation be made at once and the nomination,
as is probable, should be an unwise one, it
will consolidate the opposing party, and
make them SO cohesive that no Conservative
wedge car separate them. If, on the other
hand, the nomination be deferred, the Be
publicans will be doubling and undecided,
and the expectation Of the coming conser-
vative nomination will do far more good in
securing the consideration Of moderate
counsel than would be done by any actual
nomination, whatever its intrinsic prudence
and propriety. At this time delay is safety,
and headlong hurry is danger.