The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-25
a Timely and Pregnant Article.

The New York Herald prints leader discus
sing the Republican party and the Presidential
succession, the concluding paragraphs Of
which are these:
Looking at the division in the dominant party
on vital questions of public policy. at It's vio-
lated promises and shortcomings, at its rcck-
less extravaganza, at its want OF defined prin-
ciples in the management ofpublic affairs and
at its indifference with regard to supporting
the administration it has chosen, we are natu-
rally led 10 inquire what prospect there Is for
perpetuating its power, and what chance there
may be for the opposition party. There was
n positiye issue on the slavery question the
one. in fact, which bl ,ght the Republicans
into power-aS there was, too. In the proSecu-
ton of the war; but neither exists any longer.
The Republicans. however. have used the
slavery agitation and the war for political cap
ital long after the questions were settled and
until they are worn out. The people are tired
of them, and look for other questions Or issues
that bear upon the present and future. In this
respect the dominant party does not meet the
wants and expectations OF the country: for. as
was said, it has no poSitire policy, no platform
of principles, and no 'mity or c0heSireneSS be-
Ioad that chich the SpoilS Of office gire. Who,
then, is to govern this great country! what
party can take the place of the one III power ?
Are we to drift along in this negative way
without principles or statesmen. or shall We
have a party with defined policy, that will
represent the sentiment Of the country and the
living issues OF the day?
The Democrats have good prospect before
them if they know how TO use their opportu-
nity-ifthey aeiH ledre the dead past and take q
neto departure IN accordance loith established
facts and the spirit Of the times. They may
elect the ne.rt President, though General Grant
NAV be again the candidate of the Republicans.
Even his popularity and glorious war record
would hardly outweigh the failures of his adj
miniStration. the shortcomings OF the Repub-
lican party and the desire OF the people fora
change. The great Slate of New York has
taken the lead already in a political revolution
favorable to the Democrats. In the last cleo
ton for members Of Congress they gained con-
siderably, and in many local elections they
have shown signs of returning life. Although
the Radicals have made extraordinary efforts
to establish their power in the Southern states
they have evidently ovcrrcachcd themselves.
and there is little doubt that these States will
be Democratic. A large part of the negroes
will go with the white people on political qles-
tionS; for they will see that their interests are
identical, and it requires no prophet to tel! us
what party the Southerncrs will affiliate WIN.
Judging from all the signs of the times. the
Democrats have good chance for the Presi-
dental succession three years hence. But
they will lose that if they adhere to their old,
exploded dogmas, and attempt to undo What
has been accomplished 10y and in consequence
of the war. Our Northern Democrats mast dc-
cejn the platform and policy Of the SouthernerS,
ociM all the concessions to the negroes and The
amendments to the constitution. They cannot
90 back and succeed; for the mass OF the peo-
pie are opposed to q counter-revoluton. How
ever much opposed before to some of the
changes that have been made. they accept them
now and want peace. Let the Democrats,
then. drop the dead past; let them be progress
sive and broadly nationals; and let them auopt
nolicy suited TO the present and looking TO
the future. and they may secure the Preslucll-
tial succession and a long lease ofPower.