The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-02-11
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shakspeare,I who gives Us on almost
every thpme aFpuggesiSFe Shoughts, ban
said You q " cAll spirits from tho
vasty Aaep-6 ,Oi4 Icy comssa Aye 8
therefs, indee& thsrub. Some ntsn-
some politicians- some Journalists seem
to think that sitting in sanctum, or seat
ed upon tripod, or welding the pen of
ready writer, they can make or unmake
PARTIES that as an architect in the quiet
retreat of his Office builds on paper pala-
tial houses, so they can on paper rear
parties and give them their metes and
boundaries. Fallacious thought Vain
task! Not so are great party formations
consummated. Even an editorial Napo-
leon would find this fruitless under
taking. A politician may imagine that
he has made a party. In reality, the
party has made him. Many man who
fancies that he leads, is really upborne
by the under-current and the rising tide
Of public opinion. He but waves the
standard which the strong arms of the
public uphold. He but faunts the flag
which some popular breath makes float
Looking, i'll truth, to the philosophy Of
the matter, as we interpret it, political
parties form sfter the manner of coral
reefs in the ocean. just as coral reefs
gradually form, by the meeting together
and subsequent cohesion of kindred par
ticles of shell matter, so parties are form
ed by the gradual, quiet and silent con-
glomeration Of kindred sentiments. prin-
oiples, fears, hopes and aspirations. And
just as the coral reef forms under q natu-
raj law of motion and cohesion, 80
political party is formed under moral
law regulating the conduct of men in the
affairs Of national life. And just as coral
reefs sometimes dissolve and give way
before the resistless force of the dis
turbed waters, 80 parties political, reli-
gious, or industrial, may disintegrate
and dissolve under the violent operation
of unusual causes.
If the coral formation decays, it will
sink and disappear. If the coral forma-
tion stands in the way of steady cur
rent of vast strength, it may give way
before the strong flow of water. So, if
political organization becomes corrupt
and rotten-''a whited sepulchre, full of
dead mems bones and all uncleanness,
it must fall asunder and perish; and so,
also, if it shall be found to stand in the
way of an irresistible public opinion, it
will be trampled beneath the strong tread
of an army of progressive workers-on
"that steady, steady march, which is
forever onward"
If, now, these general propositions are
correct, it will be seen how fruitless is
tho effort of those who imagine that a
party can be formed in day, or by
simple pen-stroke, or by numerous pen
strokes. There are now two coral reefs,
as it wereein the sea of American POLL
TIcs-the Democratic and the "Republi-
can" In our opinion, the one is founded
upon rock-the other upon the sand.
The Democratic reef may be submerged,
but it will re-appear, the purer and the
stronger from the inundation. Now, is
there any evidence of real disintegra-
ton? Rotten or weak. fragments will
slough off, but the mass remains intact,
and it will remain intact just SO long as
the cement Of patriotism and fidelity
shall not be waiting to exert their adhe-
sive powers. On the other hand, there
are signs of Republican" disintegra-
ton. There may be reconstruction Of
parties. but we believe that it will be by
the better elements of radicalism finding
q proper place in the Democratic organi-
ton, and the country will stand Demo-
Gratis plus moderate Republicans vs. ex-
treme and bitter radicalism. We, at
least of the South, cannot with wisdom
essay new party. Let wise, moderate
and progressive Democracy be put be-
fore the country. Here we stand--others
stand elsewhere. Let the country Judge