The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-02-18
Friday, February 1s, 1870.
THE THIRD PARTY MOVEMENT.

For some time past, n number Of
our exchanges--tho Charleston Ne,os
and Courier, tho A ndcrson Ltsligcncer,
tho Winnsboro, Ne,os, tho Ncwbcry
Herald, aud others have been discuss
ing the prop1ioty of - "third party
movement"-of selecting a platform
upon which Democrats and Rcpubl-
cans can equally unitc-a platform
which discarding tho cardinal issues
upon which national parties arc divi-
ded, hould make the election of pro
per men to Office, and the honest and
economical administration fof the
Government Of tho, State, the para
amount consideration. That the
proper administration of tho State
Government, hy the selection CT hon
est and capable mch TO office, is Of
paramount Importance to us, and,
overriding all questions Of national
interest, seems TO be conceded by all
of our contemporaries, but they differ
among themselvcs, as to the necessity
and practicabili.y Of dropping party
names and party organizations for
effecting the. end in view. They will
cancede chat it is moro important
that State officer be honest and capa-
ble, than that he be eithera Democrat
or Rcpublican-that the State Govern
mcnt be we'll administered, than that
the questions of finance, currency and
the thousand and one issues which
divide national parties be satisfactori-
ly adjusted-but some will contend
that those ends can as we'll, if not bet
ter DO attained, through tho existing
party organizations, or even if other
wise, that it is impracticable to effect a
'union and coalition Of parties. Let us
consider these points for one moment.
1st. Is it necessary to drop party
names and party organizations to cf
feet the end in view7 Are thcre not
honest and capable Democrats, honest
and capable Republicans and can
not each of the great parties furnish
all sufficient material for tho due ad-
ministration Of the State Government :?
We suppose that no one doubts it
at least it is charitable to conccde it..
Why thon should there be a union of
parties; or rather an oblitcration Of
party lines, in the prosecution of local
ends, and tue advancement Of domcs-
tic interests? For the very reason
that we have assigned that there
are honest and capable men in both
parties and that upon the paramount
questions of State policy there is
nothing to divide them. In answer
then to the interrogatory with which
we commenced this paragraph we may
respond, that though it is unnecessary
to effect the end in view, that there be
this union of parties, yet that it seems
to be eminently proper, that men OF
all partieashould unite in the prosecu-
ton of ends in which they have an
equal interest, and about which they
have no essential difference of opinion.
But End, is it practicable2 Can
Democrats and Republicans be in
duced to lay aside their party names,
break up their party organizations,
and unite upon q broad common plat
form, in electing honest and capable
mon to office, during tho coming
elections7 We think the answer to
this Question depends upon the Re-
publican party Of the State? and until
VIE Democrats havo ecme assurance
that the leaders Of that party are
willing to unite with us, it is worse
than useless to abandon our .colors-
desert the Democratic camp-and
unfurl a new banner emblazoned with
the words "liberty, equality and fra.
ternity," for the purpose of tollipe
from their allegiance 'the rabble rout,'
the rank and Ale of Republicanism
Snch we understand to be the posi-
tion Of the Charleston Nevs, the Co.
luthbia Phenit, and other leading
journals of the State. If Republi
cahs wish us TO be no longer Demo
Gratis, they must cease to be Republi
cans. They must meet US on hal
way ground. Will they do SOP We
have hsard intithations to that effect
Of proposals that would likely ema
nate from the leaders of the Repub
licah party. Let them assume 6
dehSite shape and policy, and it will
then be time enough for US to deter
mine whether or not, we will accep,
them. In the meanwhile we await
the progress Of evsnta.,
The Columbia Guayd;aa -su uroests q
eonvocation Of tie tiers, eto.-tbe
newspaper press-for the pufpose Of
securing harmony of view, and con.
cert Of action. Tho PAe~ix sxceDts
to the Jurisdiction as not being thai
off, tribunal of the highest appeal
and last resort. In any view itseemi
to us, now premature to hold..an as
- n a.