The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-06-09
Policy and Principle.


AS the Charleston Ne,rs has requested
n definition of certain principles laid
down by the C0nstiuionalisi, we shall
briefly respond. We believe that, ac-
cording to Democratic principle, the
people of each State should be left to
manage their own matters as they please,
without any interference from outsiders
Now, what the C0nsiiutionolist has said
on the subject of South Carolina politics,
was not from o desire to interfere with
their internal policy. It referred alone
to the action of the people of that State
upon public principles-great constitu-
tional principles which affect all the
States. The Constiutiondlist has no OBJ
lection to the people of South Carolina,
or the Democratic party of that State,
organizing upon a platform giving to all
races and colors perfect equality, if they
choose. It is their right to do it, if they
think proper. But the ConstitutionaliSt
does urge upon all true friends of con-
stitutional liberty in that State not to
adopt such course because of the So
called constitutional amendments. They
should denounce these amendments as
nothing but gross usurpations, invalid
and void, just as Mr.. Jefferson de-
nounced the Alien and Sedition Laws in
1888; just as Kentucky and Virginia de-
nounced them, and rallied the whole
country to drive from power the usurpers
who had passed them. If Jefferson and
his compatriots of that day had received
these bold usurpations rs ''fixed facts. F."
our liberties would have pershel long
ago. All that the Constitulionnlia insists
upon is that the true men of the country
North and South, shall neuer surrender
Of their own volition, tho right to regu-
late suffrage and Office as they please,
and as they think best for their respec-
tive States; and never receive as 'sfced
facts" the usurpations of Congress upon
these subjects. If the people of South
Carolina think it best for the interests of
their State to adopt the programme sug-
gesed by the Ne,rs, let them do it. It
is their right to do it. Bat IL is not Meir
right TO lend their influence and Mrow tie
1oeigM Of their poicer in sustaining Mcsc
usupations By holding Mal Mey are roli,L
Rather should they hold them up 10
infamy, and politically ally themselves
with that party throughout the country
which does SO dcnouncc them.
We propose to make manly fight,
whether the mere thing called ''present
success" attends our effort or not. It is
better to be martyr in the right than n
victor III tho wrong. But even upon the
miserable principle of cui bono, this is
the best. The motive with most trim
mers and time-servers in politics-p ne
speak imperson0Ny-is distinction or
fame which they foolishly suppose money
and Office will secure This delusion
lmpels hundreds and thousands in their
departure from what they know to be
the truo course. The truth is, all real
distinction, MI substantial fame must rest
upon principle. Money may give posi-.
tion and notoriety, but, when achieved
by the betrayal OF principle, those are
worthless and uncomfortable boons. All
trimmers in politics, even when success
full and with brilliant genius to back
them, hold contemptblc place in the
just estimation of the world. This is
the best that can be said of the most
prosperous of them. But the great ma.
jority utterly fail in their baseness and
come to an end as ignominious as that
of their prototype. SO, even upon the
chi bono principle, honesty is the best
policy, if weary, disheartenctl, desperate
end misguided people conId only com
prehend it.-Augusta ConSiitufionalist.
DIED OF NEGLECT. The jury cmpa-
nelied to hold an inquest on tho body
nf Nnt l.