The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-26
The Policy for the South.

he candidly expressed his opinions upol
two subjects of great interest to the South
ern Democrats, viz :: whether the Southern
States should decline to he represented il
the next National Democratic Convention
but should accept whatever candidate tn
Democrats of the North may see'ft to offer
and what are the prospects OF overthroWin!
the Grant party-they can DO longer b.
called Republlcans-in the next election 10
President
From the proposition that the South shal
forbear to take any part in the councils
the National Democracy, Senator Blair dis
sents entirely protesting against it, in tn
name OF every Democrat in the North ant
West. Amongst the Democrats OF the Nortt
there will be struggle for the nomination
The contending factions will fight hard FOL
their candidates. But the South have nc
personal favorites to advance 10 the
Southern States all Democrats are alike
their choice will fall upon him who is most
likely to carry the banner in triumph. Ii
is, therefore, the opinion OF Senator Blair
that if the South fails TO send her prudent
men to the Convention she will withhold
from the North and West the benefit OF ''the
"wisest and most impartial counsel they
can have. And Senator Blair sees no force
in the idea that the presence OF Soplherners
in the Convention will be laid hold OF, ns in
1868, and used to the detriment of the
Democratic party. He says boldly that the
| absence of the Southern States "will be
'claimed as refusal TO go with the Northern
democrats, because they have adopted, the
ssnew departure" and as an evidence that
''the spirit OF rebellion stilllingers and burns
ssunder the smouldering ashes But Senator
Blair mightha gone further. For our part
we put aside all narrow questions OF senli-
ment and fancy, and take the broad ground
that the South cannot afford to brood over
her own wrongs, and hold herself aloof from
the rest OF the country. We fear that we
have INDUCED over-much in sectional sullen-
ness. This is one country from Alaska to
Florida, and from Texas 10 Maine and we
must learn to think CT ourselves, and teach
others to think OF us, not merely as South
erners, but as American citizens. AS States
OF the American Union, not merely as
States of the South, these Commonwealth
should send their delegates to the National
Convention. AS long as We think OF our
selves, and speak OF ourselves, as race
apart, there is no hope OF escape from the
myriad troubles which oppress us. The
overthrow OF despotism and the restoration
of the Constitution, is the work OF the whole
country. We should join in the mighty
contest, and take our part in its pains and
labors, not as conquered rebels or as ruined
shareholders, but as free born Americans,
whom necessity, the tyrant's plea" de-
priyes OF the protection which the Constitu-
ton guarantees to person and to property.
When we speak as Americans, we shall OBJ
tain q hearing. Then, at all events, the
conspiracy Of which we are the victims, will
be recognized as conspiracy against the
liberties OF the American people
Senator Blair, to whom we return, avows
that he is no friend Of the new departure,
but declares himself willing TO fight the
Radicals in any shape the Democratic party
may determine upon. He is confident that
President Grant-who is now dictator in
the Republican party, and aspires to be die
tator in the country at ,large-will dictate
his own nomination; but Senator Blair
hnors that "some Of the most conspicuous,
cable aud courageous men will leave The
Republican party when Grant is noml-
"nated." This is what Senator Blair would
advise:
"Instead of going for new departure,
would prefer to go for man who represents
the new departure. I would prefer 10 give
that guarantee 10 the disaffected Republicans
rather than to 60 back upon my own ptlnci'
ples. Iwould prefer to make choice OF Re
! nnbcans, and 90 for a man who should De
Nominated by the disaffected Republicans, or,
what would be better, one who might be nom
mated In the Democracy, and thus draw 10 us
by much stronger guarantee tnan me, lne mere az
| words of platform the support oi those VINO
are d.saffecied with Grant and the Radica
marty. In other words, don't see that we GO
back on our principle in making choice
between candidates neither OF wnom may
suit u.s. We could all vote for Republican
who was in favor OF universal amnesty, against
the Ku-KluX bills, and against the military
laws. WHY, the most ancient Bourbon in the
State of Alabama could vote for such Repuo.
can in preference 10 U. S Grant, and hold all
the time TO his very heart all that there woulo
be OF his Bouroonism."
Virginia adopted this policy. Missouri
did likewise, and broke the bonds which
bound her. The men of foreign birth, who
are now American citizens, may he relied
on in the coming struggle. They were led
in Missouri by Carl Schurz, "the ablest rep
"resentative" of his fellow countrymen. The
Germans OF the West, although Republicans
almost to man, "have always voted against
"disfranchising those who were opposed to
"them during the war" OF them Senator
Blair says
'.They needed no instruction from anybody,
and they resolutely maintained the doctrine
that neither Congress nor the States could by
a bill OF attainder deprive men Of The right ol
suffrage. They maintained that position in
lhe last contest through which We passed in
Missouri; they hold it good against the blan-
dishmelts and threats Of the administration;
they stand firmly and squarely to-day, soiidly