The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-06-01
THE POLITICAL PROBLEM.
Il DISCUSSION OF THE SITUATION:

The Chances OF ERec,ing Reform
What Would be the Effects OF u Changs
OF fAdministration-A Final Recon-.
mendation.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
SR-In the article which by your indulgence
yesterday appeared in TIE NEWS, it wa!
argued thst the sending OF delegates to Balti
more, as is proposed, would involve the white
people of the State In the dilemma of having
either to conform to the decision of that con
vention or to announce beforehand their pur
pose not to do so.
1t was also argued that the movements now
on foot will inevitably revive the party feel
ings of 1868, 30 disastrous to The State, and
that the very same reasons which existed ir
1870 for avoiding party issues are more strong
ly operative now.
Upon these grounds it was concluded tha
both the success of the Cincinnati movement
and the prospects OF reform in South Caroline
wou'1 be iDjuriously affected II State dele
ga3pn should be sent to Baltimore.
5. In resuming the topic 1t may be assumed
with all the people of South Carolina is, OF
ought to be, a good local government; that the
chief political question for them is, or Ough
to be, how to secure the needed reforms in the
most certain manner; and that the only practi
cal measures they can favor will be such as
aim at the accomplishment of this purpose.
1t may also be assumed that 10 the present
political condition of The State the reformation
of the local government cannot be effected,
unless In the absence of party contests coali'
tion be formed especially for the purpose EN-.
braciDg all the good citizens, without distinc'
ton of party or race.
If this be 30, what chance will there be oi
efecting any reform at all, or even of attempt
Ing a combination for that purpose, while the
white people OF the Stale are reviV!ng their
Democratic organizations under the old lead
ers, and renewing their affiliations with the
National Democracy? Is 1t not certain that
these proceedings must re.eslablish the old
antagonisms of party?
But 1t may be said that all this will be neu-
tralized by the action OF the Baltimore Con-
vention That the adoption OF the Cincinnati
platform aud the nomination of Greeley and
Brown will purge the movement OF Its taint of
Democracy, and that thus door of reconcile
alton between whites and blacks will be
opened.
Unfortunately this cannot stand scrutiny,
for none can doubt that the only point at issue
between the Cincinnati and Philadelphia wings
OF the Republican party, which excites any In
terest here. is that as to the enforcement act.
But this Is just precisely the Issue which If In
troduced here will widen the breach between
the races, extend and confirm the Influence OF
the most extreme and impractlcable men on
both sides, and utterly destroy every reason
able hope of bringing about harmony among
our people, and such mutual confidence be-
tween the races as is universally recognized
to be essential to the political reform OF the
State, and the peace, happiness and prosperity
of her population.
But II the movements referred TO will GER
tainly defeat all hope Of reform through the
State elections In October, do they promise uS
compensation through the instrumentality OF
the Presidential election Take the most ex-
treme supposIlion. Suppose the Presidential
election turned upon the nomination at Bhtl.
more, and this depended solely upon the cast
Ing vote Of the South Carolina delegation,
and that this vote being given for Greeley
and Brown, they come In due time into Office.
Now, what will this delegation have really ac-
complished for themselves, their Immediate
constituents, or the people of the State gene
rallys Some changes may occur among
Federal of1ce.holders, but even If the new ap-
pointees should be acceptable, which is to be
very much doubted, the result would ps
greatly out OF proportion with Its cost TO us.
None can suppose that the mere moral force
of Mr.. Greeley's election will constrain the
State officials here to become different from
what they are, or that kind Of subtle infu-
ence will be radiated from Washington, which,
penetrating the Republican party here, Will
purify 1t by converting Its dishonest elements
or eliminating them.
IT anything practical In the way of local re-
form can be expected from Mr.. Greeley's ad-
ministratIon 1t must be looked for In some
other than a supernatural way-bat what
other way is there? First, the Cincinnati
platform forbids the President or Congress to
meddle at all In State affairs. Secondly, Mr.
Greeley, if untrue to his principles, must
be supported by appropriate Congressional le-
glslation. Thirdly, If both the President and
Congress collude to do what 1t is Intended to
make! the Baltimore Convention declare un-
constitutional, namely, to interfere with the
regularly constituted authorities of State,
what can they do that will be benehcials
Usurped powers can generally be used to op-
press and ipjure, but never to reform and
benefit. =
If we do net reform our State Government,
and improve our local administration at the
polls in October next, they will not be and
cannot be altered after the 4th OF March.
II we run mad after the Liberal Republican
declaration against the enforcement act, we
sell ourselves to q new party for the only
political concession that is not only absolutely
vaueless to us, (sInce the public sentiment of
the country has already condemned it, but
which carries with 1t the elements Of domestic
dissenslon and disorder.
II we revive the Democratic party In South
Carolina, We prolong the hopeless struggle