The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-05
DEMOCRATIC ISSUES IN 1872
VIII thc Party Array Itself Against
Negro Suffrage.

Judge Linton Stephens, brother of
Alexander II. Stephens, of Georgia,
have suddenly revived iu the Den.ocra-
tic press, North and South, discussion
of the reconstruction questions, which,
for the four years succeeding the sur
render of General Lees aru.y, were the
enerossing political topic. We are
willing to have these questions revived,
and think it fortunate that the discus
sion has been sprung early in 1871 in
stead of being postponed until 1877
The questions are likely to be settled
and finally disposed Of by the prepon
deraut public sentiment of the Democra-
tic party in such way that they cannot
be disturbing element in the next
Presidential canvass.
We fully understand the Democratic
sentiment Of the reconstruction ques-
tions; but our information is not so
trustworthy respecting the views of the
Southern Democrats. We are accord
ingly watching, with some solicl'ude,
the manifestation of public opinion in
that great and interesting section ofour
common country. The extracts which
we're printed a few days since, from the
Atlanta True Georgian, asserted that
Judge Stephens is merely au exponent
of his own views, and not representa-
tive of Southern Democratic opinion
The True Georgian stated that "four-
ffths Of the Southern Democrats" re
pudiatc Judge Stephens "extreme
views" If further expressions by the
Southern press shall confirm this esti
mate, the reconstruction measures may
be dismissed. by common consent, from
the political arena. 1t is desirable that
the Democratic press, iu each State,
should express the views of those whom
it represents, vic an easy comparison
will determine what the great body OF
the party regards as Live" and what as
"dead" issues One of the ablest and
most representative organs Of the New
York Democracy, has just made what
we believe to be perfectly authentic
statement of the public sentiment OF the
party in this State We refer to the
Albany .Ayyns. published at the State
capital; careful and guarded journal
which is always faithful to its represen-
tativc character, and waintaius close
and confidential relations with the State
government aud the rural Democratic
press. The following extract from a
well-weished editorial in -5he 11ssxs
may be regarded as expressing the
deliberate and settled judgment of the
Democracy Of the Empire State.
|, seems TO be generally conceded
that the Democrats cannot be beaten IN
1872, except by their own mismanage-
meut and folly. The most sasacloas
aud far seeing Republicans have little
confidence in regard to the future -
And yet half a dozen hot headed i'm
practicables can foredoom the Democra.
tic party to defeat as utter aud
overwhelming as that of 1868, if they
are allowed to put the organization on
the extreme course which then caused
our ownfa!l. We appreheud no such
result, however for the serious lessons OF
the past few years will not be lost on the
party. nor will the sound conservative
statesmen, who are entitled to dircc:
aud coutrol the movements of the Or
canization, shrink from the poor
Responsibility of repressiug the turba-
lence of faction and restraining the
movement of those who seek notoriety
irrespective of the general welfare
They are certain obvious facts that can
not be overlooked or forgotten. The
political situation is determined and
unmistakable. There is to be no revival
of obsolete issues-no reactlonary
movement or recurrence to the past
no recor sideratiou of measures that the
people have decided upon. We resisted
the three amendments to the constitu-
tion so long as opposition was OF any
avail; but they are row fundamental
law, and it is worse than useless to
discuss their characterNand tendency
the means by which they were carried
or the effect produced By them. The
provision embraced in the thirteenth
and fifteenth amendments are now IN
operation, aud in such form that they
cannot be abrogated except by another
revolution
The first Of these amendments gave
eoodom N the NEGRO. aud we have
neither the inclination nor the power to
remand him to sefvitude. The Demo
cratic party cLeerfuly accepts this as
one of the consequences ofthe rebeii,on'
and has 10 desire to reverse 1t. Inc
fifteenth amendment secures privileges
of q voter 20 the negro, and this provl-
sion having become incorporated into
most If the State constitutions, negro
suffrage would remain, even If the
amendment to the Federal Constitution
was resciudsd. This issue therefore,
cannot be forced upon US. An act Of
Congress granting universal amnesty as
an act of Justice to the South, equally
wise and humane. will be one of che
first measures of the Democratic party
on coming into power and that will re
move what is Objectionable in the four
teenth amendment
The chief wisdom of politician is 90
"upderstand his epoch" The states
man or politician who is net gifted 20
k,r tl66