The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-11-02
CHI A RI E S TON. i.
MONDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 2, 1868.
The Citizens Candidates.

There is no doubt that the action of the
Central Democratic Club in declaring that
it was ine1pedient to nominate party can
didstes for Mayor and Aldermen Of Charles
ton, caused widespread dissatisfaction; not
so much, perhaps, because it was consid-
cred indispensable to have candidates who
should be the representatives of the DEM
ocracy as political party, as because its
tendency was thought to be choke off any
nominations which should represent the in
telligence, respectability and desires of the
large majority of the people. It soon be-
came evident that the white people, as q
body, would not support any Republican,
and that an attempt to elect Mayor CLARK
would repel more votes than it could posi-
bly, attract. If Mayor CLARK had been SO
strong that he could dispense with the suf-
frages cf three-fourths of the Democrats Of
the city he might still have been elected;
but as his success was acknowledged to de-
pend on the united vote of the white peo-
ple, together with considerable colored
vote, q division of sentiment among the
whites was sure omen of defeat. That
division of sentiment did exist. The Ger
mans would not vote for Mr.. CLARK. The
Irish would not vote for Mr.. CLARK. One
half at least, of the Americans, would not
vote for Mr.. CLARK. No one man would
have offered to vote for Mr.. CLARK as Mayor,
unless it could have been made certain that
8 majority of the new Aldermen would
be white Democrats; and of this no assu-
rance could be given that was worthy of
moments consideration.
With these facts before them, the shrewd
common sense of the people at once worked
out the inevitable conclusion. The nomina-
ton of CLARK could not defeat PILIsBURY.
That was certain. The nomination Of set
of men who, as Mayor and Aldermen,
should represent Charleston and not Mas
sachusetts, might succeed, and, ic unsuc-
cessful, would leave tho city in no worse
plight than if CLARK had run, or ptrlsBuny
been allowed to walk quietly over the
course. Desldvo, tho registration for the
Presidential election showed clearly enough
that victo-y was not impossible; nay, more,
it showed that it could be won, if the white
people worked well and worked together
to poll the full white vote and the votes of
q few hundred colored men, who had rather
uphold candidates whom they knew and
trusted than adventurers or penniless
strangers.
These reasons led to the action Of the diff
ferent Ward meetings in favor Of the nomi-
nation of candidates for Mayor and Alder
men, who should be the standard-bearers
of our working men, as we'll as of the mer-
chants and members Of the various profess
stems, and induced the passage on Saturday
last of the resolutions, in accordance with
which q meeting Of citizens will be h:.a in
each Ward tonight to elect delegates to
nominating convention and make o'her nee
essary arrangements for an active municipal
canvass.
These meetings will, we hope, be largely
attended. 1t is now no question Of political
party, but of the welfare and prosperity of
our city and people. Unless citizens can
didates are in the field to concentrate the
white and colored vote, PILLsBURY must be
elected With strong and respected citizens
candidates in nomination, PILLsBuRY can
be defeated Surely no one doubts that
the people do demand the nomination Of
ticket in which they shall all have confidence.
Surely no one is inclined, for personal rea-
sons, to abstain from using every endeavor
to make that ticket strong one, or from
working with might and main to elect the
candidates who may be chosen. 1t is the
only earthly chance We have of securing an
honest and economical city government. 1t
is matter in which every man is inter-
ested. And it is hoped and expected that
our citizens will show their appreciation of
their duty and our common peril by attend
ing en- masse the meetings to be held to night.