The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-08-24
(Froua tho Camden Journal.1
THK. SUMTER NEWS.

1t PROCESSES to be Democratic news
paper, yet We do not see it confining
.itself. 70 the advocacy Of, Democratic
principles, but forgetting them, or Civ
ing them only secondary place, it aims
it's weapons at the Union Reform Party
and it's candidates. It assails them
and it with inyestives of tho most in
s1lting character, and strives to cast
odium upon those who act in accord
with the movement.
Itrepudiates the Upion Reform Par
ty "because they have adopted radical
platform, radical prinoi pies and a
radical policy" as it remarks.
1t calls the acknowledgment of "ac-
eomplished facts" and "dead issues"
''deceptive.a1d cowardly."
II It's tone has been anything but ad :
mirable or calculated to attain for itself
digni6ed name or respect Of its oppo-.
ncDts.
Instead Of copfining itself to calm,
diguified, and persistent exposition Of
tho principles and. purposes of Democ.
racy, it bslistles itself in our estimation
aud in that of every lover Of cousistcn-
cy, by giving to the opponents Of the
Reform Party such aid aud comfort as
it is capable of:
Its remarks, Sarcastic, no d4pbt) arc
greedily pounced upon and eagerly
inserted IN the organ OF the Scott Ring,
in return for Which compliment, 1t CO.
pies extracts from the organ.
There again it stulti6es itself, by cx-
tending the circulation ofitems CLEANED
from source, which it pretends to de-
spise even worse than tho Reformers.
1t not only gives aid and comfort to
the enemies of good government, by
writing up articles Of it's own, but also
by giving publicity to their falsehoods.
Further, it will give aid and comfort
to our enemies, by refusing to- cast its
ballots for Reform, and advising its rea-
ders so to do, which is the same as if it
had voted against tho Reformers and
for the Radicals, because every vote
lost to Reform is one for Radicaiism, or
rather Scottish.
Because, fmsooth, lady happens to
extol its course and a few others are
added to its subscription list, it sces be-
fore it a prosperous future, aud foudly
dreams OF the time when all those who
cling to the Democratic teachings of
1868, shall be numbered among its pa,
irons.
But we say mov, that hereafter the
Sumter NeUs will be looked back upon
as one, who, in the thin disguise Of
sticking for principle, was dealing its
assassin blows upon tho bosom of our
common mother, the State OF South
Carolina.
1t will be despised as tho only paper
in the State, which, when her people
were ground down into the dust by
enormous taxation, when the corruption
rampant within her borders, was expo
scd recklng with. fouiness when the
foreign birds of prey were gloating over
their victim and growing fat upon the
spcils of her Offices; when the high
places Of the land are disgraced by the
presence OF base prostitutes, nailed to its
masthead the flag of civil strife and
gloried in it's shame.
1t will DO scorned us bsing the defier Of
pure mems characters, She assailor of
honest motives, the impugner of bra-
very. the opposer of progress, the self
constituted judge OF the heart workings
OF self sacrificing, patriotic gentle
men.
1t will draw down the deserved con-
tempt of all who join in tho great con-
test'for Reform, this contest which is
known us an effort to give the State a
good government, irrespective of the
former political opinions Of the movers
in it; as the only sheet which played
into the hands Of the Scott Ring, whilst
pretending to fight for ancient land
marks and principles.
As to the Reform Party adopting 90
radical platform, radical principles and
radical policy" We will endcavor to
reply, although we arc aware that the
Address Of the Executive Committee ofI
the Uuion Reform Party explains our
principles in language more cogeut and
clear than is in our power.
The June Convention recognized the
AVth Amendment as part Of the fun.
damcntaI law OF the land, and declared
that it should be fairly administered and
faithfully obcycd.
This declaration cmbodies what has
been done by the requisite number Of
States, and although some of them
voted against it, as an amendment to
the Consultation, one at least, New York,
which in tho late elections in that State,
gave Democratic majority Of $4,000,
has passed an act max ing the provisions
of it. Il law of the State:
Now, suppose, for the sake of argn:
ment, that the National Democratic
Party should in the next campaign, 60 in
Tor repeal ofthis amendment, and that
it should be repealed, would that alter
he law OF States in whose Constitutions
t is found +? Or would the action Of
my other State, bcrcGt in any respect
'ur &fatc, into whose Constitution
i"s been adopted, or repeal or avoid
Inc Acts ai the Legislature sustaining
he principles Of the XVIII Amcui
ncnt? Most assuredly not.
The condition. Of Georgia presents
rue picture uf what would bc our situ-
zion, in ease we should cnJeavor to
l"ny to, or take from the colored man