The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-02-05
The article appended 1e extract from

The article appended ve extract from
the Anderson hssaaigsaoer. The Iateli-
gencer is right in its Suggestions. We
must not Deat about dead issues" and
the Democratic party in this State must
be "active and progressive:"
The DRMoCRATIo PARTY OF THIS STATE
is IT VICTORY Or DEFEAT2-The news
papers of this State have been discuss
ing. for the past several weeks, the plans
of the approaching campaign. The
opinions and sentiments appear to be
various, showing the imperative neces-
sity for concert of action, which is ad-
mitted on all sides to be the great ques-
ton of the hour. It is not proposed in
this article to point out the means to
bring about entire harmony and unani-
nifty among the opposition to the present
radical dministration-these will be de-
veloped at the proper time. But as ON
indication of public sentiment in this
region, where Democracy has its firmest
stronghold, it is meet that an expression
of the views entertained by this journal
should go forth to the world. This will
be done briefly.
The questions entering into the cam
paign of 1868 are no longer under dis
cussion. Negro suffrage and its append
ages are fixed and irrevocable facts, so
far as the inhabitants of this State are
concerned. In Federal politics, the
great idea of Capitalization is the ruling
motive of the radical party, and must be
combatted i'll other States yet to feel the
tread of its iron heel, for here its work
has been accomplished for tho present
The tariff currency and excessive taxa
tion 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 SO directly interest
ed as to absorb their attention, espe-
cially in preference to domestic affairs
which more intimately concern their
welfare and the prosperity of the State.
It is fair to presume, then, that Federal
politics will be taboocd in the coming
canvass, and that every attention will be
given to secure an honest and faithful
branches of the Legislature, and in other
high offices. In order to secure this de-
sirable 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 it is essential to its sue
cess, heretofore leaders must DO 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 life
time education against what has been in
evitable. With the Democratic party no
longer fitting ut wind mills, 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 difficult problem before them, to the
great discontinue of the alieus and
foreigners now ruling this State, and
whose feeding at the public crib is ut the
expense of black and white alike. A
guarantee Of equal political privileges,
under the law as it now stands, is moth
ing more than duty requires, while such
a declaration from the Democratic party
would go far to removing the obstacle
now in the path of the negro against
affiliatipg with his white neighbor
Until at least this much is done, the
radical majority OF 10000 will not be
effectually reduced, and years might in
tervene before tho opportunity is again
so favorable towards ousting the corrupt
demagogucs from place and power Are
the leaders of our party prepared to
take this step forward, and assume all
the responsibility and meet the conse-
quences it entails upon them? Hence,
we submit the question, is it victory or
defeat?
The LITTLE AUTOMATIC TELEGRAPH
SYSTEM National Telegraph Com
pauy, under the management of w. P.
Wcstervelt, are making rapid progress in
building their new line of telegraph be-
tween Washington and New York, and
we are glad to know that we are to have
the most substantial and reliable line
ever constructed in this country, for the
use OF the automatic system. The Ma
tional Company is putting up the recent
ly invented compound wire"-a steel
core covered with pure copper-which,
with only half the weight of an ordinary
iron telegraph wire, has over three times
the tensile strength, and nearly four
times the conductivity. The first cost of
the wire is about double that ordinarily