The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-04-26
THE ANTI-RADIcAl PROGRAMME
Our View of the Situation.
From the Anderson Insolligencer.

When the anti-Radlcal Conference adjourn
ed, and the resolutions adopIeo W our brethren
were submitted to the people, we lelt that the
first duty Of the Conservative press press Iad oeen als,
the State to pronounce judgment as TO the policy
suggested OF holding State convention to nomi-
nate general ticket In opposition to the Radical
party. We expressed dissent as to the time sug-
resfed. and even limited that it might be unwise
to make any nomination for STATE onlcsrs. But
we were disposed to treat the actlen OF the Press
Conference with every courtesy, and allow the
resolutions to 60 untrammeled before our read.
ers. We were willing to defer the expression Of
our views as to the policy suggested until more
convenient season, and In case the movement
was approved by those around us, to quietly &C
quiesce in their better judgment The time has
arrived, however, when silence might be miscon-
strued, and we desire to record our earnest con-
victions.
ence recognized universal suffrage, and also the
right to hold ONCE, irrespective OF color or pre-
vous condition. subject alone TO ptIsonal quali1ca-
tion and fitness. AS recognltlon OF incontro-
the conference, as it would be worse than idle
for any set OF men to attempt 9 disturbance OF
these rights in South Carolina. The class OF per-
sons lately Invested with these IiSnts nola the
reins OF power TO prevent any AMMUNITION OF their
privileges, and 1t is not likely that they would
vote with party failing TO sustain them
In their newly acquired power indeed,
past experience admonishes US Inat the alien.
Leen caused by this identical feature OF the DEM
ocratic platform. 1t was on this rock that the
white and colored voters splits NOW, II this re-
cognitIon OF legal rights, solentny made by an
ami. Radical conference meant lny thing at all. it
was intended to assure the colocea people OF this
State that henceforth there was 70 be no aglta-
tIon OF issues definitely settef' anu that the
peace and desired to form an aeliance politically
for the redemption and reformation OF the State
government 1t was Q papsbIe recognition Of
another fact that only through sne assistance Of
the colered people could the Wofk OF reform oe
carried successfully.
This brings us to inquire whether or not these
declarations have effected the purpose intended.
So far as our information extenus. ihe acton OF
the Press Conference has fallen unheeded upon
the cars Of the colored people. In no single In
stance, where the opportunity has offered. do we
hear OF political aflation between the two races.
AS In times past, the lines are distinctly drawn.
and we do not believe that the mSshes Of the Radi-
cal party are broken by this onslaught. The pros
pect OF vigorous, united and organized opposi-
ton tends to strengthen the efforts OF their lead-
ers In every section OF the State, and already the
bugle notes OF the Union League sumnonlng Its
cohorts, and trlumphantly rehearsing the bene.
fits and advantages OF the Radical party, espe-
cIally to the colered people, are heard In every
quarter We arc convinced that determined
opposition, represented by State ticket, will knit
more closely the ties by which they are bound TO
each other In their secret meetings, and that the
coored vote will be almost solid unit In laVor OF
the Radical nominees Entertaining such be-
lief. we cannot advise that state ticket be
placed in the field, only to meet with deleat anu
disaster which would prolong the time OF our de-
eenes ntens ON Spessssa pnder
Having stated the effect which, III our opinion,
the declarations OF the Press Conference had upon
the coored voter, we will now turn to the White
people. Any calculations based upon Ine a. unani
In this portion Of the State are opposed, to or.
ganized parties OF any creed, and they Will either
vote independently OF nominating conventions or
stay away from The polls. Many adopted this
latter course in 1868, and here In Anderson, with
white majority Of nearly two to onet the Democra.
tic ticket never had more than 1Ve or Blk hupdred
majority, although the Radical tcEet generally
received about an equal number with the register
ed colored vote But we have taken some pains
to ascertain the sentiment OF our own race con-
cernlng the feasibility OF the proposed state
Convention. Many OF those approached by us
are extremely Indifferent on the subject, but
such as entertain decided convictions are op-
posed to making any attempt In this direction,
and believe that greater results can be accom-
Rsfin IN he LEGISLATURE rs on s9 And
this brln s us TO remark that the only hope OF ad-
vancement towards good wholesome laws. and o
faithful administration OF the government, now
before us, is that proposed by one OF our cotem-
porares few weeks ago. we mean 70 wage
guerilla warfare all over the atate-not 10 WIN
Chester rne sense, be 1t understood-out that
each county attends to Its own AFFAIRS; and that
the honest citizen, without distinction OF race be
urged to place his neighbor into position lor the
public good, and not for party ends. we are luliy
impressed that such course, 1udlclously pur-
sued, will bring about change In our State legls
latIorl and whatever may he said to the contrary,
the burden OF our woes proceeds from the corrup.
tion and pr0aigacy ef the recent Legislature.
Here let US concentrate our energies, and make
use OF political strategy-not to deceive the
Masses but to thwart the Vaccinations OF grasp
Ing office-holder5. or what avail an unscrupu-
lous Executive, with majority or honest men,
without regard to Federal politics. opposed TO his
plunderlng schemes occupying seats IN etner
branch OF the General Assembly Unless we can
bring about change In the Senate and House OF
Representatives, and place IN those bodies aole,
upright and conscientious citizens, IL Is washing
time to discuss the situation. We are ID pecu-
liar position, and few more years VIII oankrnpt
the State, unless q change is enected ID ihe law
making power. We cannot AFFORD to DRIFT along
suplnely and evlnce no interest," IA passing
events But we must remember that the dominant
marty Is sustained almost exclusively by one class
OF citizens, and that politically they are es.
tranged from natural associations, by reason OF
certaIn antagonistIc positions heretofore as
sumed, In this, as In other things We must
learn that confidence is plant OF SLOW grown.
and patiently abide the hour when reason snail
reassert her sway. and honesty, lntelilgence anu
uprlpht conduct shall govern the commonwealth.
Let 1s not reach after impossiblllties, nor long
after 'the nesh-pots OF Egypt" but, with an eye
single to the future welfare OF our common motn.
or strive earnestly to purify the fountains OF
legislation, and build upon the ruins OF the pass
the proudest monuments Of our wisdom, lntegrl.
" and never.enilng justice. This eXhi0ltion OF
patient toll and stern endurance win soonest ,
bring relief, and along with It happiness, con-
tentfnent and lasting prosperity for our entire
population.