The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-07-10


HINGE ORR ON THE POLITICAL
SITUATION.
Judge Orr has recently been interview
,ad Inv the correspondent Of the Charles
tom Ne,cs, and we publish elsewhere c
detailed report of his opinions upon the
condition and political future of tie
State. Coming as they do, from one o'
the most prominent men of the Repub'
lican marty in the State, and of recogniz'
ed ability, sagacity and integrity, they
will command attention even from
those who dissent from his conclusions.
In the objects which he proposes, an''
the means for their accomplishment, he
indeed announces scarcely anything
which he has not repeatedly urged be-
fore. but he differs in this, that his posi-
ton is more clearly defined, and his or-
position to Radical misrule more active
and aggressive. Not content witt:
merely pointing the way, he proposes t.
head the crusade Of reform, and calls
upon all good citizens who desire honest
government, to join in the campaign.
He has already taken the stump, and
standing on the Republican platform,
and announcing himself o good Repuo-
lican-a "Pharisee of the Pharisees"-a
faithful ally of Grant and his policy, ne
Is now seeking to rid the party OF that
incubus of corruption here, which is
threatening its existence everywliere--
and which but for the diversion created
by the Tammany frauds would have &C.
complisl.ed its ruin ere now. Iil ail OF
this work of reform, he promises the
jealous cooperation Of Grant, and all
good Republicans everywhere. And
we too eau promise him in his work the
sympathy and support Of every good cit
xsn of the State; but not If 1t involves,
q Judge Orr holds to be necessary, that
they should Join the Republican ranks.
We sympathize in his objects, but can-
not with our views of political consist
ency, or of a proper regard for political
principle, endorse the means by which
he proposes to effect them.
IF priIlei oles might be assumed or put
off, as MAJ, dons or doflS his coaS, thet!
a good Democrat might hecome tue
and accepted Republican, bNt not TIL
then. Circumstances change, and 1t is
the part of true wisdom 10 change wit''
thcn, but there arc differences which
are radical emil indestructihle. AS long
as this remains free government, two
parties must exist here-parties, which,
whatever they may hold in COMMON,
must present essential didercHcss-the
one the party of centralization. tending
to military despotism the other OF 10
cal self-govcrnment, presenting the "nl,
guarantee of civil rights. Disguise it Is
you may, and assimiiate political creefs
at your will, these are the essential DIFF
ferenccs which you can neither ignore
nor cxIirrate, except by q change il the
character of the government .tself
But tmay he asked, if by the support
of Greeley, his political opponents q"
not reno,lrce all that is distinctive il
their organization, and become virtually
Republicans themselves. BY no ma,-
ner of means. The very fact that the
sage of Cha, :pnqua is charged with hay
ing sold himself to the Democrats by
the men of his own party, would seen'
to negative such presumption. Nei-
1her party has renouncsd its organiza-
ton, nor ahjured its principles. As
upon the questions of free trade aud
protection, they have agreed to differ fci
the time being, and to sustain ticie;
which is neither Republican nor Dcnlc-
cratic, but the exponent Of honest gov
ernmcnt, and which appeals to tile sup
port of all good citizens, as presenting
the only hope of relief. 1t is but apply
ing to national politics the remedy
which has proved so effective in Mis-
souri,, Tennessee, Virginia and otItel
States, and which but for the reculia'
circumstances of the State, might ihav(
achieved success in South Carolina.
But Judge Orr tells US that the only
hope of safety lies in joining the Re
publican ranks-that reform must cosnt
through the dominant party; and tha
we must join the organization to purify
It. We doubt the policy, even If we
wore willing to forego our principles
What influence might the new converts
hope to exert upon the councils of their
newly adopted allies? Under the most
favorable circumstances, they forfeit te
some extent, the confidence Of theil
late associates, without acquiring that o1
their new friends; subject their motives
to n,isinterpretation, and attain the un'
enviable reputation Of tip1e-servers
who are willing at all seasons to barter
their principles for place and position
What influence could they hope to ex
ert upon the colored people, WHO loot
upon the Southern whites as their po'lt
ical enemies, and who would this day re
nounte Grant if the Southern whites
could be induced to support him. Some
thing more will be required to gain th'
control of the blacks, tLan becoming
Republicans. If the party is to be re-
s..od horo yot a hattor class Of Re