The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-03-03
The Future of Political Parties-0ur True
Policy. 49,.


Washington correspondents tell us and
public journalists at home endorse the re
mark, that the Republican party, is rapid
ly disintegrating, and will soon go to
pieces. They tell us that negro agitation
furnished the life Of the party, and that
without it, it becomes caput mortuun,--
a defunct organization. They tell us that
everything being conceded to the negro
'liberty, equality and fraternityp-civil
and political rights in largest measure
the right to vote, and the right to hold
office-"Othello's occupation lis gone,"
the mission of Republicanism is ended
the political map is to be readjusted, and
a new line of political departure is to be
taken.
But hope tells here as elsewhere, "a fat
tering tale," which the calm lessons of ex-
perience will scarcely justify. The negro
was only means to am end, we think, in
the history of Republicanism-a means
which to make effective, the party scrll-
pied not to violate every sound rule Of
constitutional construction, and overthrow
every opposing barrier of constitutional
limitation. The negro has been made a
valuable auxiliary, and when will he cease
to be such? His expressions were once
the ralIying cry of the party, and he is
now in condition to render still more
substantial aid to furnish the munitions
of war,-men and money. Negro agita-
tion was only means to an end I; and that
end "the cohesive power OF the public
plunder." s.se
Is it to be supposed that a great politi-
cal party will go to pieces because it has
accomplished its work-thata party which
has foisted Reconstruction and negro suf.
frage upon the South, in order that it might
control the Government, will now abandon
it's position, for lack of employment ?-not
for lack OF ability to do, but for want of
an END to accomplish? That end, is
not vet fulflled-that goal is not yet
reached.
The lines between Democracy and Re-
publicanism are as distinctively drawn
the issues as vital and controlling as ever.
The one is still as ever the party of strict
construction and State rights-the other
of Capitalization and "the higher law"
As the Republican party with regard to
the South has been ready to scamp out
side of the Constitution" We may be sure
that it will scruple at no means to effect its
ends. The omnipotence of Congress is the
favoritc dogma which ministers SO we'll to
its purposes. Congress is made to swal-
low mp the chief prerogatives of the
Executive and the Judiciary-and this
too in the name of popular rights-in
violation of the fundamental law-the
true vor populi. The contest between
Democracy and Republcanism is con-
test between constitutional liberty and
its opposite Capitalization potism.-
Here is the issue distinctly marked, and
between which the true sons of the South
cannot hesitate long in choosing.
But is it necessary to choose ? When
so many questions OF State policy-ot
paramount Importance nearer home claim
our attention, may we not "for the nonce"
lay aside party names and party organi.
cations, and unite both Republicans and
Democrats on broad common platform.
If the Republicans are willing to ignore
their party, and go into Convention with
us for the purpose of nominating candi-
dates for office; if they are willing to
break up their "Union leagues" and call
off their "dogs of war" then it will be
time enough for us to consider the pro.
priety of "third party" or s'no party"
movement. The Charleston Ne'cs thinks
the term ga third party" misnomer.
There is little significance in names, yet 1t
seems to us that it is rightly named, or
the thing itself is myth. AT any rate,
and in any event, if we are to have an issue,
and to fight battle, we prefer to fight in
the same phalanx-under the old Il banner,
and with the same battle cry still. We
are Democrats or nothing.
To sum up what we have said in word
"A battle OF parties is being waged, as it
ever has been waged, beyond our State
limits, in which though We feel deep in
terest, we can tender perhaps nothing more
substantial at present than our sympathy.
We are willing to accept truce until we
can adjust matters near and dear unto us at
home. If we can agree upon a truce, it is
we'll. Then let there be peace. 1t we
fight, let US fight as Democrats.-A6be-
vile Press and Banner.
IT, O,n,.n CDon an nur GTOpE-