The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-20
GEyER4L GRANT IND THE SOUTH.
The Views of a "Moderate Republican,
Letter from Mr. 3. Odell Duncan.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.

AZ ldE EO11OR Oc LII NGNS.
Hon. B. H. Hill, an ultra Southern Democrat,
went to New York, and was given hearing BY
the Tribune, Times and Herald. Will THE
NEWS give a moderate Republican the same
chance of being heard in South Carolinaf Its
leader of Saturday morning, entitled 1.-The
Middle PATH" leads me 10 hope 1t will; for 1
desire to say something to the white people OF
the State. which I cannot well communicate
exceot through a Democratic paper. Mr.
Adams. as a Democrat, is listened to, when
Republicans occupying essentially the same
position would not be. Allow me to premise
that I am a Ca,olnlian by birth, and yield to
none in my devotion to the peace, prosperity
and happiness of the people of the State. 1t is
true have differed widely with many as to the
best means of attaining this peace and pros
perity. But am willing at all times to submit
nv views to the test of fair argument, and
reasonable opponent ought to be willing to do
the same, without either impugning the motives
of the other.
But my object is not now to go over old
ground. I wish to speak of what must now be
manifest to all, viz: that General Grant is to
be next President Of the United States. This
has been manifest to Republicans slnce the
Democrats made their nominations and plat
form in July, and since We have heard the ut
terances OF several Of the Southern leaders.
But since the elections on Tuesday, presume
all intelligent men, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, will admit thai the election OF Grant is a
foregune conclusion. l have recently nao nnc
opportunities of seeing how the public sentl-
ment Is drifting at the North, and feel conn
dent the Democrats Will not carry single or
einal tree State for Seymour
Why is the North 80 strongly IN favor OF
General Grant. and what course is he likely to
to pursue? No ono has more aptly, or as j.!
think more correctly explained the reason OF
abe unanimity for Grant than Mr. Adams IN
his recent letter and speech In Columpla. In
his letter he says ''distrust and fear have die
tated YOUR terms more than malice or revenge"
He thinks the defeat of the Democratic party
will result from the fear that sits success
would jeopardize the substantial results OF the
war;" He declares distinctly that mo party
could maintain itself which should repudlatc
the war or surrender Its acquisltlons; ann
we'll acquainted with many OF the leading men
of the Republican party, and believe under
| stand the principles OF the party we'll, and
! .csl confident that nine-tenths ef the Repubh-
can members Of Congress would iully endorse
the main points in Mr.. Adams speech and let
ter. There is no spirit OF mallco or &c
actuating the great mass OF the Republican
party. There is no desire to see men without
character, whether Northern or Southern born,
governing The people Of the South. Nor ls
| there any desire to see ignorance and lncom-
petence occupying high places I'D leRlslating
| for the country. But there IS determlnaslon
to secure all the substantial results OF the war,
to preserve the credit of the government, to Sc
cure the equality of all classes In the eyes OF the
law and to see to it that the freedmen have equal
and impartial justice done them all over the
South. Above I'LL things, there is fixed deter,
mination to establish freedom OF opinion and
| freedom of speech, and to suppress the lawess-
ness and violence now existing all over the
South. 1t is felt that General Grant is the man
before all others to do this work.
But in General Grant the law-abiding white
men of the South will not find an enemy.
| Nothing in his course has indicated that ne
would act the partisan in the execution OF the
laws. His course during 5he war H., was aiwass ,aS
| that OF O generous foe, and since the war CLOS
ed he has at oil times shown the greatest de-
sire to restore the Ulion as early as possible,
! and on therbasis OF law and justice. Even
Governor Perry would scarcely be able to
point to single act of General Grant indlcat--
ing disposition to trample npon the laws and
assume dictatorial powers. Those who believe
that General Grant will be TOOL of ultra men,
or indeed of anybody, know but little OF The
| character of the man. In him the North be-
| ieyes we will have President firm but just,
and who will obey the constitution and laws
himself and enforce obedience from others, OF
whatever party, and who will enforce the
honest and economical administration of tho
government. Cannot honest, patriotic, law
abiding and law-loving men OF the South, OF
| both parties, respect such manI 1t ls my
hope and belief that within few months after
| General Grants Inauguration he will be popu-
Iar. man with all friends of law md order at the
| South.
Now, the suggestion that I Wish specially to
make and to urge upon your attention is that
the press and leaders of the Democratic Iarty
modify their tone somewhat; that instead OF
violent abuse Of the opposition, calculated to
excite the bad passions of demoralized, lawless
men, that every effort be made to restrain sueh
men; that all acts of violence be dscounte-
| nanced and discouraged, and that evil dlspos-
cd persons be reminded OF the harm they are
doing the country, and especially their own
party. I am confident the Republican leaders
will readily agree with the Democrats to 40 all
in their power to prevent violence, and to urge
moderation at all timcs and places. With such
| an arrangement between the parties, doubt
not We could prevent to great extent the law
Iessness and bloodshed that is disgracing every
part OF the South. We do not ask, and do not
desire, your party to desist from any proper
means of carrying the election IN South Caro-
lima. We intend to use all fail, legitimate
means Of carrying the State, and we are GER
tainly willing for you to do the same. But We
| do ask. and we believe the request to be rea-
sonable one, that you unite your efforts with
ours to prevent violence. know that many
prominent men in the Democratic party IN this
CITY would readily sanction such course, be-
lieyino that it would result in very great good
to the country, and to the credit of their party.
It would tend not only to bring about more
friendly feeling between the two parties and
the two races at the South, now entirely too
bitter for the welfare Of either, but 1t would
create at the North feeling of greater conf
dence in the good intentions of the white peo-
pie of the South that would be most beneficial.
hope you will consent to publish this COM
munication, and yourself to advocate the sug-
gestions made.
Very respectfully,
IT WORKED VERY WELL, BUT WENT AT HALF