The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-02-25
Friday, February Is, 1870.
The Future Of Political Parties, Our
True Policy.

Washington correspondents tell US,
and public journalists at home endorse
the remarA, that the Republican par,
ty, is rapidly disintegrating, and will
soon 60 to pieces. They tell US that
negro agitation furnished the life OF
the party, and that without it, it be-
comes a caPut naortuum-a defunct or.
ganization. They tell us that ever
thing being conceded to the negro
''liberty, equality and fraternity
civil and political rights in largest
measure tho right to vote, and the
right to hold otiice-"Othcllo's occu-
patton is gone,'-the mission of Re-
pubiicanism is endod,- the political
map is to be readjustcd, and n new
line of political departure is to be
takon.
But hope tells here rs elsewhere. "a
hattoring tale" which the calm lessons
Of experience will scarcely justify.
The negro was only a means to end
wo think, in the history of Republi-
canism-a means which to make eff.
fective, the party scrupled not to vio-
late every sound rulo of constitutions
nj construction, and overthrow every
opposing barrier Of constitutional
limitation. The negro has been made
n valuable auxiliary, and when will
he cease to be such? His expressions
woro once tho rallying cry Of the party
and he is how in condition to render
still moro substantial aid to furnish
the munitions Of war,-men and
money. Negro agitation WAS only a
means to an end; and that end "the
cohesive power of the public plunder." !"
Is it to be supposed that great po-
Iitical party will SO to pieces because
it has accomplished it's work-that q
party which has foistcd Reconstruct
tion and negro suffrage upon the
South, in order that it might control
the Government, will now abandon
its position, for lack of employment?
not for lack of ability to do, but
for want of an end to accomplish {?
That end, is not yet fulfilled-that
goal is not yot reached.
The lines between Democracy and
Republicanism are as distinctively
drawn-tAe ISSUES as vital and con-
trolling as ever. The ono is still as
ever, tho party Of strict construction,
and state rights--the other of CEN
tralizaton and "the higher law" As
tho Republican party with regard to
the South, hos been ready to scamp
outside of the Constitution" we
may be sure that it will scruple at no
means to effect its ends. The omnip-
otence of Congress is the favorite
dogma which ministers so we'll to its
purposes. Congress is made to swal-
low up tho chief proWgatives of the
Executive and the Judiciary-and
this too in the name Of popular rights
in violation of the fundamental law
tho true BOT popu1i. Tho contest
between Democracy and Republican
ism is a contest between constitution
al liberty and it's opposite-centrali-
sation-despotism. Here is the issue
distinctly marked, and between which
the true sons of tho South cannot
hesitate long ia choosing.
But is Unnecessary to chooser When
20 many questions of State policy
ofparamount Importance nearer home
claim our attention, may wo not "for
the nonce" lay aside party names and
party organizations, and unite both
Republicans and Democrats on a
broad common platform. If the Re-
publicans are willing to ignore their
party, md 60 into Convention with us
for tho purpose of nominating candi-
da'es 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 con-
sidor the propriety of "third party"
or mo party" movement. The Char.
lesion News thinks tho term "a third
party" misnomer. There is little
significance in names, yet it 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 tissue, and TO fight battle, we pre-
fer to 8ghtin the same pbalanx-un-
der Vie old banner, and with the same
battle cry stils- We are Democrats
or nothing e.a>i
TO sum up what M. have said in a
word-A battle Of parties is being
wagsd, A. It ever has been .waged, be.
yond onr State limits, ID which though
We feel . deep interest, We caa tender
perhaps nothing moro substantial at
present THAN our sympathy: We asa
willing to accept a, truce until We can
adjust matters near and dear unto us
at home. If we can agree upon o
truce, It is we'll Then let there be
peace. IL We fipht, let us fight AZ