The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-05-04
Il [Rron Tie Kipgstrss Star.]
A PRACTlCAk VIEW.

We regard ike present movement il
the State in opposition to bad govern
mept, and 10 support of change oi
rulers, as nothiog more nor less than an
imperative business necessity, dictated
BY desire to rid the people-the whole
peopIe-of the nany misfortuues which
now environ them in consequence of the
unwise legislation and inal-admioistra-.
tion Of the laws enacted for their gov.
ernment. Viewed in this light we can
not perceive either the wisdom or ne
cessity for the wrangling and stricklipg
| about patty names or definitions of
political principles. We see in many
of our exchanges labored and lengthy
discussions 10 relation to the resolutions
of the late press conference, eto. There
appears to be want of decision and
firmness of purpose with some of them
that looks as If they were trying to feel
the public pulse before they prescribe
the remedy. The disease must be ap-
pearent to the veriest quack, aud there
is but one available remedy for it, and
unless applied ut once the disease must
provo fatal. We are unable to perceive
why in crisis like the present, there
should be any hesitancy in choosing
what course to pursue for the best in
tercsts Of the people. 1t is folly to ig-
more the fact that tho Legislation of the
country has so fixed matters that we are
compelled to recognizc-and do recog-
nize to the fullest extcnt-the great
changes in our political condition.
Why? Because the law forces it upon
US III some instances, and interest and
necessity in others. The law compels
us to sit in the jury box with our former
slaves, but it does not force attorneys
to practice their profession before them
yet they do it, because interest and
necessity is thereby subscrycd. 1t
requires no change Of political priuci
ple to do this. llit did every democrat
lawyer in this State who follows his pro.
fcssion, has sacrificed his political senti-
mcnts. The movement is rendered alb
solutely necessary BY the circumstances
which surround US, and form which we
have no power to extricate ourselves,
except through the means proposed to
be employed to wit to put the govern
n,eut in tire hands of those who will ad-
minister it honestly, faithfully aud
competently. Some men argue on the
presumption that a Democrat, in order
to be true aud consistent, must not cx-
crcise his common sense or judgement
in matters which pertain to his welfare
unless he does it under democrat or.
ganization. We claim to believe in
democratic principles, but VIC do not
subscribe to the doctrine that demo-
crat cannot make a choice of evils, if
evils exist, without compromising prin-
cip!es or being inconsistent. If the
Legislature Of tho State of South Caro-
lima was composed entirely Of dcpocrats
they could not, ifso disposed, alter or
change the rights Of the negro any more
than those Of the white man; aud if it
was composed wholly of radicals they
could not add one iota to the privileges
already secured to the negro by the
laws of the country. These questions
are out Of the programme entirely.
They have been settled. So it narrows
itself down after all to practical ques
tion-thc great need Of putting in office
honest, competent men, who will check
the present cxtravagant expenditures Of
the government funds, and bring about
an honest and faithful administration
of affairs in every department and there
by relieve the people Of the many hard.
ships to which they are now unncccs-
sarily subjected. This is what is sought
to BIZ brought about, and what no good
citizen should refuse to aid in cffecting
1t requires no change of principle, but
is the exercise of common sense. Let
the people act.