The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-02-25

good work, - a. 81 ''.a
- ~ eA2s -. - -. -
The Poittfcal situation Eevlevved----A
asass Csntsnsion Proposed. ''',"4
After the Wsr ceased, we had for some
time in South Carolina no party forma-
tions. The co1ored portion of the popu-
latioRreofvtheS SState' had no political
statuss andias to the white voters, broken
in fortunes, defeated in battle, with no
State or country that they oonld feel was
their own, theynwere in no humor to
form political combinations, Without
power and influence, they were, indeed,
without the ability to form these oombi-
nations, had the disposition existed. The
whites of the State, therefore. passed
politics by, and looked to their private
interests. In the meantime. Congress
assumed the work Of reconstruction, and
advanced The freedmen to suffrage.
Then came political adventurers into
the State arose native political
mushrooms political fungi-and soon
the radical party of South Carolina,
composed almost entirely of the colored
people, was organized. ''"'
The call for Constitutional Conven-
tion was issued. The whites declined to
take the field, end as consequence, the
Constitutional Convention was conven-
tion of the radical party of the State,
who, without let or hindrance, carried
out their programme. The next step
was to elect State officers. Now, for the
first time, at late moment, the anti
radical element Of the State was aroused.
It was seen that the citadel was about to
be carried before our very eyes. The
chances were desperate, but it was de-
termined, at least. to make vigorous
effort to save the State from the rude
grasp about to be laid upon it. The op-
position to radicalism naturally took the
form of Democracy, and in April, 1868,
the South Carolina Democratic party
met in Convention, consummated party
organization, put forth declaration of
principles, and placed candidates before
the people. AS anticipated, the Demo
cratic candidates were not elected, but
the, point was made. The seeds of op-
position to radicalism were planted. The
anti radical element had taken its stand.
Next, the Presidential election came OIL;
and the South Carolina Democracy Sc
lected their candidates and took the field
in earnest Our readers are familiar with
the result. It is enough for us to say
that the entire strength Of the Democra-
tic party was polled. two out of the four
Congressional candidates were elected,
and one-half of the Counties of the
State were carried for the Democratic
party. The result was considerable and
full of promise. The contest over, the
Democratic Clubs laid aside their stand
ards. and as was wise and patriotic, ac-
cepted the result and turned their atten-
tion to the advancement OF their material
interests.
In the meantime, another election is
to be held, and the question arises what
shall the opposition do-what specific
line OF action shall we adopt? Upon
certain points we ale agreed. It is
agreed that the radical party of the State
must be opposed at the ballot-box. It is
agreed that generous and general rally
must be made in behalf of political re-
form. 1t is further agreed that the op-
position must acknowledge all the politi-
cal and civil rights now enjoyed by the
freedmen. It is agreed that the opposi-
tion must address itself to living issues
must be party active, progressive and
in full sympathy with the spirit of indus
trial development and popular enlighten-
mont. It is agreed, in fine, that the
opposition must go before the State
pledged to the principle of fair play and
justice to all, to the putting of able and
honest men into Office, to the honest and
cheap administration of our State Go.
vernment, to the development OF our
material wealth and to the sincere en-
couragement of foreign capital and i'm
migration seeking our State.