The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-02-03
TIE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THIS sTATE.-.Is
IT VICTORY Or DEFEATl

The newspapers of this State have been discuss
ing, for the past several weeks, the plans of the
approaching campaign. The opinions and sonli-
ments appear to be various, showing the impera-
tive necessity for concert Of action, which is ad
mited on all sides to- be the great question of the
hour 1t is notproposed in this article to point out
the means to- bring about entire harmony and
unanimity among the opposition to the present
Radical administration-these will be developed at
the proper time. But as an indication of public
sentiment in this region. where Democracy has its
frmest stronghold it is meet that expression of
the views entertained by this journal should 60
forth to the world. This will be done briefly.
The questions entering into the campaign of
of 1868 are no longer under discussion. Negro
suffrage and its appendages are fixed and irrevo-
cable facts so for as the inhabitants of this State
are concerned. In Federal politics, the great idea
of Capitalization is the ruling motive of the Radi
cal party, and must be combatted in other States
yet to feel the tread of its iron heel for here its
work has been accomplished for the present. The
tariff, currency, and excessive taxation by the
Federal government, with kindred questions, are
likely to form the nucleus Of opposition in the
North and West to the reigning dynasty. But
with these questions, altogether the people of this
State are not 80 directly interested as to absorb
their attention, especially in preference to domes-
tic affairs which more intimately concern their
welfare, and the prosperity of the State. 1t is
fair to presume, then, that Federal politics will be
tabooed in the coming canvass, and that every at
tention will be given to secure honest and faith
full representation of the people in both branch
es of the Legislature, and in other high Off
ces. In order to secure this desirable object, it
is unnecessary to beat about dead issues The
Democratic party in this State must be progressive
and active, not slumbering among the ruins of the
past however glorious that past may be. If is
sena to its success heretofore leaders must be laid
aside, and men imbued with strength and activity
placed in the van. Not that inexperienced hands
should guide the helm, but to infuse new life and
vigor it may be necessary to obtain the services of
such as are not prejudiced by lifetime education
against what has been inevitable. With the Dem
ocratic party no longer tlting at windmills, it
is highly probable that the co-existent races
in this State might adjust the differences of
the last three or four years, and solve the diff
cult problem before them, to the great dis
comfture of the aliens and foreigners now ruling
in this State, aud whose feeding at the public
crib is at the expense Of black aud white alike
A guarantee of equal political privileges, under
the law as it now stands, is nothing more than
duty requires, while such declaration from the
Democratic party would go far to removing the
obstacles now in the path of the negro against
afiliaiing with his white neighbor. Until at least
this much is done, the Radical majority of 10000
will net be efectually reduced, and years might
intervene before the opportunity is again so ia
vorable towards ousting the corrupt demagogues
from place and power. Are the leaders of our
party prepared to take this step forward, and as
sumo all the responsibility and meet the conse-
queuces it entails upon them? Hence We submit
the question, is it victory or defeat2