The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-24
The Policy for the South.

4 our views upon the general policy which the
South will adopt in the ensuing Presidential
campaign. We purpose now to consider
the best mode OF giving to it body and shape.
United as we believe the State to be on
the question OF policy, there are unquestion-
ably differences of opinion as to the best
way OF carrying it into effect. The letters
OF General Kershaw and OF the Hon. A. P.
Aldrich not only reflect their own opinions,
but are, we presume, to certain extent the
expression OF the thought and sentiment oi
the communities OF which they are centres.
1t is needless to say that for these gentle
men we entertain the highest respect. They
possess, in large degree, the confidence oil
the State, and whatever falls from them iH
apt to meet such general attention that it
is especially incumbent upon us to subject
their reasolssg to critical examination and
refute it, or at least develop, as fully as we
can, the strength OF the argument on the
other side.
Although General Kershaw and Judge
Aldrlch differ somewhat in their views, they
agree in opinion that the State should not
be represented in the Baltimore Convention.
We will not at present discuss the minor
points OF divergence but confne ourselves
to the single question upon which they are
in accord
II the wisdom OF holding National Con-
vention were before us for consideration. we
might be disposed to concur with these gen.
tlemen; but that Is no longer an open ques-
tion. The Convention is called, 1t will as
semble, and the only issue for US to resolve
is, whether we will be part OF it, or
whether we shall adopt policy OF isolation
and hold ourselves aloof.
To separate ourselves from those with
whom we havo been 40 long and closely
connected-with whou ..e have cordially
acted during years Of unexampled hard
ship-who have been with US the victims OF a
common calamity, and who now suffer under
similar misfortunes- prinna facie to COM
nit one of those blunders which is equiva-
lent to crime. There may be causes
sufficiently grave to justify it; but it is for
those WHO advocate such separation to show
the necessity for it, and we submit that the
necessity has not been made apparent.
The apprehension OF Judge Aldrch is that
we may be committed by the Convention,
and the pith OF his argument is contained in
his own expression, that "to bolt before is
s'much better than bolt after hot blood is
''engendered But II our delegates do their
duty. as they undoubtedly will, the ConVen-
tion will be Enthusiastically informed that
Democratic nomination cannot be supported
by the South. 1.-THE Convention should still
persist in nomination, the responsibility oil
forcing of the Southern States will then rest
on it and not on u.s. A "bolt," it is true, is
at all times awkward; but ''bolt" is a part
OF Judge Aldrlch's programme. The differ
ence between US is, that the Judge proposes
70 bolt now; we prefer to wait until it is
necessary. He proposes to bolt alone; we
prefer to have company.
Even il the Southern States should, as
suggested by Judge Aldrich, ratify the NOM
nations at Cincinnati, and decline to send
delegates to Baltimore, we do not think such
a course could accomplish the result desired,
or be justified as wise aad manly. Whatever
of good could be gained, whatever Influence
could be exerted by the Southern States,
separately acting, could surely be as fully
accomplished by the united action OF the
Southern delegations. To hold otherwise
would be to maintain that the several action
OF each was stronger than the united action
OF all. 1t is not enough to be righ.. 1t is
often OF the greatest Importance to make it
apparent 10 Others that we are right. We
have no representation in Congress. Beyond
local limits we are voiceless. Through the
Democratic Convention alone can we be
heard and, through our own people, present
our case before the tribunal OF the country.
The South, standing as unit and enforcing
its cause by argument and appeal, would
exercise the greatest, indeed all the intiu-
ence, which can, by any possibility, belong
to it.
Is it at all certain that fair and candid
expression of our views will not receive
favorable consideration. from the Democratic
nortu NJ tho Northp Ua bouo M riuht to