The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-12-20
The Passive Policy.

Massachusetts,, has written letter to
Missouri Republican, warmly approving
the so,called pdssive policy of the DEM
ocrats. in the next Presidential election.
In the course of the letter Mr. Adams
says:
I am satisfied such q course will be
wise and patriotic, and should be glad to
see the Democracy concur in such reso-
luton. L regard the present adminlslra-.
ton as natioEal calamity, and It's con-
tinuance should be averted at any sacrl-
flee, not because Republican In politics,
but because it is mean IN character,
sordid in tone, and ignorant, corrupt
and arbitrary; because more than any
administration we have had, it has dis
appointed the hopes and deadened the
generous aspirations of the good men or
all parties; because it Is doing more to
permanently disunite the States than
the government Of Jefferson Davis ever
did; because its chief conceives there Is
no means for free government but mil
itasy force no public action but private
profit. Four years more Of such educa-
ton, family patronage, and martial law,
will so blunt the keen sensibilities OF
popular liberty that our ignoble incubus
might we'll remain fixture. Now, /
believe the Democratic party tobe pow
erless alone to relieve US, .hnd think 1t
is without hope of carrying the next cleo
ton. No doubt If the votes Of any
States lately in rebellion we're necessary
to elect Democratic candidate, they
would be thrown out in counting. A
mere majority, even could it be muster
ed, would not be permitted to elect
Democrat for next President. Nothing
then remains but civil war or submission
to the usurper, and it is difficult to de-
eide which alternative will int1ict the
more irreparable injury upon the habit
of free government. To dismiss an In.
petent official, avoid governmental cri-
sis, the Missouri policy offers the only
reasonable possibility which has been
presented but while I frankly avow q
partiality for the object, I do not blink
the very serious obstacles TO Its adoption.
We must subdue the pride Of party and
break the bonds Of party discipline.
There are. few more obstinate passions
than the sentimental devotion which
men offer to the vague abstraction, par
ty glory; not many creeds, Including
theology, which are as despotic as "plat'
form.n 1t will be difficult task tt
bring party, yet glowing with recollec
tions of mighty past, and but now
burning with anticipations of a grea'
future, to WELD the head Of the column
and the command of the field to allies
who were but yesterday enemies. Nol
is there any strong guarantee that these
allies will not FINCH at the last. Party
leaders are seldom famous for high NOR
tal courage. which can abide unshaker
the stern pressure that forbids rupture
of party ties; bnt if they dare down thu
puantlet-duel to death with the Presi
. dent, it might be possible for the Democ
racy to rise to the height, where humil
iation of partisan is lost In the satisfac
ton of q patriot. But it Is charged tina
o sacrifice will be In vain or worse still
3-it will surrender the whole scheme o
Democratic liberty, bare and bound, t.
its enemies. I do not so fOrebode th
event, and cannot believe that o protes
against dictatorial government can b
weakened by Joining with 9 band Whicl
deserts it because it Is hostile to civil llo
erty, and which will compel the enemie
to Corruption in office to disband, be
cause they unite with those who hav
sickencd and turned away from ihe sigh
of corruption. Can friends Of the con
stitution preserve or protect it NOR
, strenuously than by refusing to hold q
their hands, who have forsaken thei
own friends rather than deface 1t further
It seems to NE OH the contrary that tn
strength Of the support which this move
ment would bring to the rescue of tn
principles of Demooracywouldb be In exac
proportion to the severity of the blow t
the pride of the Democratic party TO
these principles must be dear indeed t!
men who can abandon for them an acct
dent and honored name, and not les
precious to those who dare follow then
even through the scorn, contempt ant
obloquy which await political treason,