The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-07-01
Friday, Jply.1, 1870.
The Union Reform. Convention oul
~ Position.

Union Reform movement haye so re,
peat6dly rcceiSed our unqualified up
proyal that it may seom TO be a work
of supcr-crogation,. to announce
sgain that they still and must ever
meet our hearty endorsement; whilst
it may be sufficient to say, on tho con-
trary., with regard to the views which
We lavo formed, with some hesitation
and with due Difference to the opin'
ions of many of our contemporaries
of tho impoliey of making nomina
tons for State officers, that we have
not yet been satisfied Of tho force Of
the reasons urged for modifying o,
changing them.
The platform of the Union Reform
Convention is one WHICH must meet
tho cordial approval and earnest sup,
port Of the best men Of all parties
Tho recognition Of tho Fifteenth
Amendment, aud other Constitutional
changes as accomplished facts, and
the avowed purpose of reforming OK.
trasaganee and corruption in the nd
ministration,. promoting economy in
in the prblic expenditures, enforcing
ia just accountability on the part OF
Officials, and eleeting to Office only
mes Of known honesty and integrity
must meet the unqualified endorse
mcnt alike of Democrats and Reoub
licans, ......
| But what was the design and pur-
pose OF the formation Of Il Union Re-
form party7 Was it rs Il substitute
for Demo oracy and Republieauism on
the ground that tho old party organi,
zatious had discharged their work
and accomplished their mission ?
that national issues no longer present.
ed field for tho operation of party
agencies, and that Democrats and Re.
puklicans could unite upon COM
mon platform in advancing national
ends? No such !, fancifal, view or
chimoricai spi,emo over entered into
thc i1ilnds Of the leaders Of the move
ment.
The lines between Democracy and
Reppblieanism, we suppose, to be rs
distinctly. drawn rs ever, and what
evcr names new party organizations
may assume, we suppose that as long
rs lhis rcmaihs q free govcrnment
such organizations will aoptinpe to
exist; and the cardinal differences
which have divided them from the
days of Hamilton and Jefferson will
continue to find expression in the
platforms Of opposing parties. What
ever encroeehmonts may haze been
made By recent Constitutional Amend:
mcnts upon thp rights of the, States
and however fully these may be
Recognized by the Democracy as legit
innate changes, IN tho organic law
this recognition Is entirely compatible
with its cardinal principle Of strie,
construction, Us the only true basis o.
States rights and Constitutional liber
Ety:l Tho Democracy stands now al
ever upon this vital principle, md III
this it differs totoccoelo, fton that po
tIiticA party which !i~aald, overwheln
in the vortex Of Congressional en-
croachinents' the last vestige Of th,
Constitution Of our hthers::'::,' -
| Owing to recent changes, which al
parties recognise as 4 pccomplisbo.
hfacts, there may: be "a MORO limited
application Of the principle, but b
long as this remains q free govern
ment It MUST continue a vital and cs
scntial principle, defaibg the bounda
ricsy and marking;the purposes of na
Iti6Hal parties. i"::a 81! - '''",'4 ,2,'i
The Union Reforin :. party, as' :ssy'
/ takeeit. was organized, with the, full
1coasciousness that Che difsrebces be
tween par4iesa upoh national issue
1iwcrs 100 vital and eascuial to chabh
Depieosate a4d .Reppbiieans to ,phft.
upon any common platform oef paiiti
ehl faith but will. ths hope that gooe
men both. Deinocrata, and Re
| PUB iisssps Iors s tIhe bsias. solll u
30 aaiang 70 4eesetopHrty Inference
band ahnndoh patty sorganiaati6ns,:i' IN