The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-10-11
The Southern Democracy.
General Wade Hampton Advises Them to
Take No Part in the National DEM
eGratic Convention.
THE NORTHERN DEMOCRACY MUST
SHAPE THE POLICY OF THE
PARTY.
COLUMBIA, S. c., I
SeDtember 9. 1871. {

COLUMBIA, S. c.,
September 9, 1871. :
General D. II. HUI:
DEAR SIR-The Southern Home of
the 5th inst, containing your editorial
on the policy to be pursued by the
Southern States in reference to the
next National Democratic Convention,
reached me % day or two ago, and
along with it the letter in which you
We're kind enough to ask my opinion
on this question. Though / cannot
fiatter myself that any opinions l may
entertain can have the weight your
Partially would induce you to attach
tothem, most cheerfully comply with
the request contained in your letter,
because it is only by consultation and
discussion among ourselves that we
can hope to act judiciously and liar
monionsly. 1t would perhaps be suf-
ficient to say that concur fully in the
views you have expressed, as to the
improperly of the South taking any
part in the approaching convention ];
but, in Difference to your wishes, give
briefly the reasons which have induced
this conviction in my mind.
/. The Southern delegates in a ma.
tional convention could exercise no in
fiuence in shaping the policy, making
mp the issues, or selecting the candi-
dates for the next contest, without Sc
riously injuring the prospect of Dem
ocratic triumph. That this would in
evitably be the case is proven by the
result of the last Democratic Conven-
ton, where the very presence of South
erners was used to prejudice the ac-
ton and to defeat the candidate of our
party.
2. If the Southern candidates could
not with propriety exert any influence
in the convention, while their mere at
tendance in it might result in infinite
mischief to the Democratic party, it is
surely the part of wisdom to refrain
from participating in the deliberations
! of the convention.
3. The Northern Democracy will
have to bear the burden of the fight in
the next Presidential contest, and it is
only right that they should choose the
field and select the standard bearers.
These, in brief, are the reasons, in
conjunction with those You have al
reedy SO ably advanced, that have con-
virced me that our true policy is to
abstain altogether from all participa-
| ton in the next National Democratic
Convention. Of course, in pursuing
this policy, we should take care to
have our conduct and motives fully
understood by our Northern friends
We should say to them that we are ac-
tuated solely by the desire to promote
the success of Democratic principles
and Democratic candidates; that we
wish to leave them free to act, as the
best interests of our party demand !;
and that ace pledge them in the contest
all The aid re can gre, only asking them
10 gice as a good platform, and as ac-
ceptablc candidates as they can. When
the platform is announced; and the
candidates selected, the Democracy of
the South can ratify the action of the
National Convention, and they can use
every effort to secure the success of the
party, for on its success depends the
existence of the Southern States. If
our people concur in this policy, ar
engagements should be made in each
State to carry it out fully and effectu-
ally. Should they not concur, we
must, in any event. act in perfect ac-
cord and with entire harmony. Too
much is at stake for us to differ among
ourselves, and for one am willing to
yield my own opinions for the success
of any plan which will tend to save the
South from ruin.
/ am, very respectfully,
WADE HAMPTON.