The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-02-05
Party Policy.


NEWS to lay down platform for the Demo-
cratic party in South Carolina-claiming
that this privilege belongs to those who have
borne ''the burden and heat OF the day"
In reply to this we can only say that we do not
claim TO he the accredited agent, or the imper-
sonation, of the Democratic party, or any other
party. Wesee very clearly does mott
that the policy of those who have underta-
ken the leadership of the Democratic party
has not been successful. We are sure that
a Just and wise conformity to the circum-
stances that now surround us is essential TO
the redemption of the State from misrule
and bankruptcy. And we have reason to
know that the dissentients to the broad and
liberal Anti-Radical policy sketched OF late
in our columns, will find themselves in q
ptiable minority when the suffrages of the
people have been actually given.
There can be no question that the consti-
tutional amendments will stand And we
can accomplish nothing 1ut renewed de-
feat by contending with the inevitable. Nay,
there are high considerations Of eXpedency
which require the cheerful acquicscence OIL
our part in the political cnfranchisement OF
the colored people, and their equality with
the whites before the law. They were pre-
cipitated into freedom, not by their act,
nor by ours. The guarantees OF the con-
stitution, as to their status in this country,
were, indeed, violated in their case; but
neither by them nor by us And now, the
deed being done and being irrevocable, it is
better for all the parties concerned that
these people should neither be like the law
less Lazzaroni OF Naples, or the law-op-
pressed Gypsies of England, or even like the
free negroes before the war, whose position
was so anomalous, and, in many cases, so
degraded.
The right Of the colored man to vote has
been conceded by the government. 1t must
be sustained by any party which aspires to
control our public affairs. And this right
being put beyond peradventure, we believe
that he will incline to vote with those whom
he has known from his childhood, and whom,
Notwithstanding all the arts of demagogues,
he still respects and desires to please. Lie
knows the difference between the carpet
Dagger or scalawag and men OF probity and
worth; and, other things being equal, pre-
fers the latter ten to one. He knows that
all the Radical scandal about Southern in
humanity and barbarism is false; and would
be proud, if an opportunity were afforded,
to enter into political alliance with the honor
and gentility OF the republc-with men
whose names he cherishes, whose manners
he strives to initiate, whose family traditions
he loves to recall. lie would vote for these
men to-day, ii he were sure that, in so doing,
lis enfranchisement would not be endan-
gercd. These facts Indicate clearly enough to
our mind what direction the new departure
of what has been hitherto the Democratic
party should take We must not ask from
the colored man sacrifice which we would
refuse to make were we in his place. His
political equality must be guaranteed by the
white people of the State.
Another consideration OF great Importance
is, that such an assurance from US will not
only c0nciliate the colored vote, but will
contribute to the peace of the State-a con-
dition essential to our prosperity. Radical
ism lives upon disorder, as the petrel upon
stormy waters. But the State suffers while
unprincipled adventurers keep all classes in
a ferment. These gentlemen, unlike the sea
bird, create the tumut on which they sub
sist. And the immigrant declines to risk his
family and his means by adventuring into
scene of social disorder; he prefers to erect
his habitation upon region more Stable
than that of the volcano and the earthquake.
Thus we lose in every way while the present
condition OF things continues. We need
peace blessing that cannot be enjoyed ull-
til the white and colored people OF the State
come to Il mutual understanding. Let it be
secured-this harmonious cooperation Of
the two races-and be- maintained for 4
few years, and all the annoyances we now
experience will disappear.
The relative position OF the two races is
changing every day. The idle and dissolute
negroes, who were once held in check by their
masters, are squandering away their lives
The ignorant are trifling with them-more's
the pity! The deaths of the colorcd popu-
ation in comparison with that OF the whites
are as two to one, and there is no immiSra-
ton to supply this waste. On the contrary,
tie negroes are drifting in increasing num-
hers from our State to Mississippi and Ar
kansas. But as to the whites, they are III
creasing relatively. Their numbers are re-
inforced by immigration, which is setting in
upon us from Europe in steady stream.
OF the million OF annual immigrants to the
United States, We shall hcnceforth claim our
part THUS On the one hand there is deple-
tion-on the other increase. And the stu
alton and the prospect forbid US to be unjust