The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-13
Organizing Defeat.

= +. In our judgment the sooner
the Democratic party of this State is reor-
ganized the better"
We had regarded the article referred to,
as we'll as those which preceded it, as an ar
gument in favor OF prompt organization, in
such manner as might be agreed upon by
the conference Of leading men" proposed
to be held in November. One OF our many
objections to that conterence-objections
which, we are free to say, have not been
lessened by the exr ,anations OF it's advo-
vates-was that the new organization would
require distinguishing name and distin-
gushing platform Of principles. These,
however decided, could not fail to have an
important influence upon the coming can
vass, and we, therefore, frankly expressed
the opinion that the work Of reorganization,
at a proper time, should be placed in the
hands Of popular convention, and not in
those of conference, In which the people.
as body, have no voice. But the Columbia
PAonir begs the whole question, and ad-
vises the reorganization OF 'the Democratic
s'party," which reorganization, if Intended
for State purposes, would, in our judgment,
render the success OF the Radicals inevitable.
No Democratic State ticket in South Carolina
has a chance OF success. And the people
are not 30 visionary in their notions as
to care more for the shadow than The sub
stance. What they seek ia cnange for the
better in the character of the State officials,
and such publication and Strengthening Of
the Legislature as will give the Common
wealth just and equal laws, and secure an
economical expenditure Of the public money.
They look to the end rather than to the
means. They cannot afford to court defeat.
And defeat is certain if National politics,
and National party names, are dragged into
State election, where the opposition have
voting majority Of about thirty Thousand,
The adoption of Democratic party-name
would, we confess, put the State in intimate
connection with the millions OF Northern
and Western voters, who are making ready
for desperate struggle in 1872. But the
National Democratic party could give the
South Carolina Democracy no help what
ever; nor. could South Carolina be other
than an .encumbrance to the National
Democracy. They desire. that the whole
country be wisely governed, according to the
letter OF the constitution, and we are conf
dent that they woald regard Conservative
victory in any State as more advantageous
than q Democratic defeat. They know, as
well as we know, that the Democrats cannot
carry South Carolina, IN the Presidential
election. This being the case, it is clearly
our duty to devote ourselves to winning the
State election, without regard to what
comes afterward. For il must be borne in
mind that the National Democracy-assum-
ing that they elect their candidates for Presi-
dent and Vice President, and the majority in
The lower House of Congress-cannot, in
any way, change the character OF the State
Government of South Carolina, to be chosen
next year. The cardinal doctrine OF the
party is non-interference with the constitu-
tional rights of the States They could not,
and dare not, unseat State officer, regu-
larly elected by the people. To attempt
such thing, upon any pretext, would be to
convict their party OF rank hypocrisy, and to
forswear the principles upon which they
came into power. We dwell upon this, be.
cause some persons think that Democratic
President, and Democratic Congress,
would, in the twinkling OF On eye, cure this
body polite of all its ills. Such an idea is
preposterous. Whether the Democrats or
the Radicals rule in Washington, the happl-
ness, the peace and the prosperity OF South
Carolina depend upon the character OF the
State Government, and upon that alone.
Neither Democratic rout nor Democratic
triumph will give US cultivated and trust
worthy State officers, an incorruptible Ju-
dietary, and an houest and intelligent Legis-
lature. These can only he obtained by the
vigorous and united action Of all the Conser-
vative citizens of the State. In any event,
outside sympathy cannot help US. AS we
make our bed, we must lie on it.
The Radical party Of South Carolina have q
voting majority Of thirty thousand, upon all
questions which involve the issues OF the war;
1t may be answered that the National De-
mocracy will stand upon the New Departure
platform, and that, for this reason, there
will be no need for South Carolina Demo-
cratic party, to come into collision, upon
these points, with the Republicans. The
New Departure (of which we fully approve)
has not been sanctioned by National Con-
venlioD; ror would its formal adoption ope-
rate as a solution OF our difficulties. We
have ninety thousand colored voters and
sixty thousand white voters. The colored
voters, whatever their political inexperlence,
have one idea firmly fixed in their heads.
That idea is, that the Democrats are their
mortal foes, and Must be Voted down. The
very men who could be elected as Conserve
tives, or as Citizens candidates, would be
beaten if they ran as the candidates Of the
Democratic party. There are, besides, many
hundred Republicans in South Carolina who
desire suod .overnment as earnestly and