The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-05-12

In recent funeral Grafton at the grave of q
deceased friend and political associate, Victor
Hugo uttered the following language: "He
possessed all forms of courage-from the lively
courage of the combat even to the slow cour-
age of endurance-from the bravery which
faces the cannon to the heroism which accepts
the loss of home" This graphic picture of
French exile is not inapplicable to the situa-
tion of our people to-day. We would impress
the lesson taught in this brief sentence, and
urge the necessity for exhibiting that form OF
courage denominated stern endurance. Impa-
tience and unrest would dictate other means to
relieve the commonwealth of an incubus upon
her prosperity and advancement in true recon-
struction. Rather than endure for time po-
litical ills, and seek to accomplish by slow and
certain means the redemption of political
power from the hands of adventures, some of
our friends would fly into the embraces of such
as offer Establishments and ready promises,
with no substantial evidences of their power to
control any portion of the rank and file of our
political opponents. We are to forsake former
alliances, and unite with whom? Although
the question has been plainly asked, there Is
no indication that the movement for Citizens
Party, without regard to national politics, is
supported by prominent Republican in the
State Moreover, it is frankly admitted that
the proposed Convention to nominate State
ticket will not think of placing before the
people any candidate for Governor who is re-
cognized as Democrat. In our humble judg-
ment, there is too much stress laid upon the
necessity for organizing general campaign,
with all the machinery of a political party.
The grandest results in favor of honest reform
and immediate retrenchment may be evoked
by an earnest and persistent effort to gain con-
troll of the State Senate, for instance, and by
placing an effective minority in the House Of
Representatives. We must learn to reach after
the things already within our. grasp, and strive
to instil confidence and awaken gratitude
among the colored population. 1t is not the
work of an hour, and this should be recognized
at once But we know that the fruits of kind
treatment and just demeanor towards them are
being gathered even now. AS yet, it is only
exhibited in the faintest echoes of their colored
leaders towards the men around them, and
especially those in whose integrity and up
rightness they are compelled by lifelong asso-
Citations to place reliance. Even this is granted
reluctantly at the present moment, and pledges
are expected that their rights and privileges
under the law will not be disturbed-on the
contrary, respected and guaranteed. But men
ton the probability of another candidate for
Governor, and the response is unquali6edly in
favor of the Radical nominee. On this point,
we are satisfied that there will be no division
of importance among them, and hence we
would avoid the possibility of failure in this
direction. But we think that prudent manage
ment, and reliable, truthful men as candidates
for the Legislature, will do much towards har-
mony between the two races, and perhaps
prove the entering wedge to success in 1872,
when national parties are likely to be reorgan-
lied and old issues will be entirely forgotten
nay, swallowed up in the general desire for po-
litical redemption and material regeneration.
Such are the candid sentiments by which this
journal is governed, and Though regretting to
differ as to policy with our political friends and
associates, we are not disposed to make our
opinions flexible or receive dictation from any
quarter, so long as the question is open and de-
batable. We do not perceive the necessity of
q Convention to determine solemnly that there
will be no organized opposition to the Radical
nominees for Governor and Lieutenant Cover
nor. 1t would be best, in our judgment, to let
this matter go by default rather than to- take
formal action.