The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-03-14
The Democratic Party and the Presidential
Contest.

The Democratic Party and the Presidential
Contest.
While we approve the zeal, we cannot quite
ndorse the judgment, of some impulsive Dem
ocrats who are not satisfied with the retlcent,
expectant attitude which has thus far been
maintained by the great body of the party, in
cluding the National Democratic Committee
and its cool, sagacious Chairman. Nothing
could be more deplorable, at present, than
spasmodic, aggressive activity. At a time when
events and the the whole drift Of political tenden-
cies are operating in our favor, the party would
make capital blunder if it should take any
step, or attempt any movement, which might
interfere with the spontaneous development of
public sentiment.
It is all-important, in the present stage OF
affairs, that impulsive party zeal be kept under
the restraint of sober judgment and foresight
1t is never wise to buy in a falling or sell in
rising market. 1t would not be enterprise, but
folly, for merchant to purchase a cargo of
tea when the price of tea was steadily decli-
ming; nor, on the other hand, to make heavy
sales when the price was steadily rising. Eve
rvthing both inside and outside of the Demo-
cratic party is just now operating in our favor !;
and it is for the interest of the party to let
these favoring tendencies have free course and
operate without obstruction.
The Democratic party is equally sure of its
own three millions of voters whether its Ma
tional Convention be held early or held late.
There is nothing in the character or public
career of General Grant, since he has been
President, to entice Democrats into the Repub-
lican ranks. On the contrary, Grant is es-
tranging many of the oldest and most trusted
leaders of his own party and an administra-
ton which repels the ablest of its former sup
porters is not likely to make p.oselytes from
the opposition. We do not therefore need to
be early in the field to prevent desertions from
our own ranks. Democrats are in no danger
of Joining the Republican party at the time
when General Grants administration is so bad
that multitudes of honest Republicans are
constrained to denounce it, are secure of
the full, undiminished vote of our own party
whether our National Convention be held in
May or July. Nothing can therefore be lost
by the "wise and mastery inactivity" of the
Democratic National Committee.
On the other hand, every months delay on
our side helps to weaken and disintegrate the
Republican party. So long as its Grant and
anti-Grant factions have no call to unite against
a common enemy, they will keep up their QUAR-
rel with each other, and the longer this intes-
tine war continues the more irreconclable the
parties to it become IF the Democratic party
stands aloof until after the Cincinnati Conven-
ton, the breach will by that time be so wide
that the Republicans can never be reunited.
When our enemies are daily becoming weaker
by intestine division, and there is no danger OF
Democratic desertions to crumblIng and dis
credited opposition, it is safe and wise to await
the surely rising tide which promises to lift the
Democratic ship from the bank on which 1t is
d. -, for
tugs to draw it of. If the tide were ebbing in
stead of rising, we would advise different pol
icy. The Democratic party is growing stronger
every day by mere inaction.
Another equally strong reason for avoiding
any precipitate movement, is found in the daily
growth of a new sentiment in the Democratic
party itself The party is more and more in
clined to drop dead issues, emancipate itself
from an effete past, and cooperate with all
honest patriots in a strenuous effort to reform
the government. This feeling is gaining strength
day by day and it is not expedient to hold the
National Convention until it shall have reached
its full maturity. 1t may be expedient (no.
body can yet tell) to put an eminent liberal
Republican at the head of the Democratic tick
ct; and things promise to be ripper for such
movement four months hence than they are
now. Such a policy is steadily growing in
Democratic favor, and the later the National
Convention is held the more hearty and unani-
NOUS it will be in supporting this line of action
if it should be judged wise. Meanwhile, the
party can lose nothing; for while Republicans
are deserting from the sinking administration
of Grant, there is not the slightest danger that
Democrats, who have opposed it from the be,
ginning, will desert TO it. Even if we should
at last organize strict Democratic campaign
with straight-out Democratic candidates, there
is not the slightest danger that the party can
be weakened by delay.
Do we then favor the so-called passive poll
cy? Not at all we oppose itnow, as we have
opposed it always When the proper time
comes. the Democratic organization will take a
very active and very aggressive part IN the
ensuing Presidential election. 1t will hold Its
National Convention, as usual. 1t will noml-
nate its ticket in the regular form. by means
of the National Convention it will hold the
party together as q united organization, and
come into the contest an unbroken, disciplined
host. The Democratic army will be kept equal
" we'll in hand whether it gives battle early or
late. AS the prospect now looks, we may go
into the contest with strong reinforcements and
powerful allies and nothing could be more
unwise than to impair these chances by over
hasty action. We have full faith in the firm
ness wisdom and foresight of the Democratic
National Committee, and counsel Democrats to to
forbear all signs of impatience, when the drift
of events and the current of public sentiment
are operating so strongly in our favor. While
we have no wish to influence, much less TO dic-
tate to, the National Committee we are pre-.
pared to support them in postponing their call
for National Convention for some time yet.
We believe the party may safely trust the whole
matter to their enlightened discretion.-Nc'0
York World.
SIMPLE CURE FOR HEADAcHE.-If the say
ing be true, that "he who causes two blades OF
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