The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-05-15
s.UNDER WHICH KING, BEzoNIAN9 ?

nominations, but leaYe the Dem
.ocracy to choose between Greeley and
Grant.
T. The war and its results have made
a new field in politics dwarfed The
old issues upon which parties dividedbe
fore the war and raised new questions of
vast importance. The grand old Demo
cratic party was good in its day, but
built up in other times aud in different
circumstances, it must run at disadvan-
tage under the circumstances of the new
condition. 1t is not good to "put new
wiae into old bottles"
II. The Democratic party or at least a
large part of it was in opposition to the
late civil war-to the coercion Of the
Confederate States and to giving univer-
sal suffrage to the emancipated slaves.
Whether these things were right or
wrong is not now the question. They
are accomplished, fixed facts, and the
old party reo nonine" must always
run under the disadvantage of having
opposed these measures. Its ef1icien-
cy upon living questions IS affected by
the oder of dead issues.
III. If the Democratic Convention
adopt platform in conformity with the
times, it will certainly be something
like Mr., Valandigham's "new depart
pre" programme, That would be upon
the vital points little better than the
Liberal Republican platform, which We
can act upon and vote for the Liberal
nominees, without being under the ne
cessity Of making any declaration OF
principles as party, but take them as
pearer to Us than their opponents.
Nv. The vital questions of the next
campaign have direct connection with
the new condition of the South. They
have grown out of the war and are re-
eent-amnesty-the overthrow of cor
ruption in the administration of public
affairs-civil reform-the subordipation
of the military to the civil authorities,
&C., &C., and upon these points the
Democratic platform could be no better
than that of the Liberal Republicans
already published.
V. Greeley with his platform is great
ly preferable to Grantwith his army OF
dependents, his administration record OF
enforcement laws and shameless corrup-
tion in office. Every honest Democrat
and patriot must admit this. The pro-
bable effect of making a Democratic
nomination will be to consolidate the
Radicals-to cure the scism now widen
ing-to postpone civil reform, and fix
upon us Grant with all the Infamous
and insolent corruption OF his admins
tration for at least four years more.
vi. Some say, better be defeated upon
a straight Democratic ticket, than sue
ceed in electing Greeley! Fatal mis-
take,! The country cannot afford to
give the corrupt consolidating Radicals
another triumph over the Democratic
party. Every defeat strengthens the
arrogant enemy. What is now tempo
rary usurpation would then be regarded
as .anctifed by public approval, and the
condition of the country would be worse
than before. ..
VII. The Liberal Republicans if elec-
ted, will occupy position, which will
enable them to reform the Government
even more efficiently than the Demo
crats could, who would necessarily come
into power amid much bitterness and
opposition, and of course with all the
sentiments which invariably accompa-
ny restoration after G. long and as
they think undeserved exile.
VIII. The great leaders of the De-
mocracy may still have pride in the
grand old ship. Others who are COM
Portable in their state relations may
indulge such Quixotic sentiments and
be content to wait for redemption at
some future time indefinitely removed.
But most assuredly we of the poor OPP
pressed South, can not afford to post
pone the great blessing of an honest
Government. We are now in ertrenais
the very crisis of our fate. The
Goths and Yandals must be overthrown
or we will be certainly ruined and that
very soon.
TX. The country is surfelted with
warrior chieftains as civil rulers, and the
constant tendency to military Govern
ment and bayonet rule. 1t. General
Grant is the representative of the army,
military orders and the bayonet, and
farmer Greeley is the very embodiment
of the great want of the times--peace,
industry and honesty and there would
be peculiar fitness and significance in
his election over Grant.
X. Greeley is man Of BONE crotchets,
but these very peculiarities arise out Of
that, which is the distinguishing char
acteristic of his mind-honesty and un-
yielding perseverance. These are the
very qualities which the Liberal move
mept, needs. Corruption will stand
a5ashed before the impersonation of
industry, simplicity and old fashioned
honesty. Greeley is fitted by his polit-
ical associations-his activity in the
cause andl the peculiarities of his mind
and character to overthrow the banded
robbers, and bring the Government back
to its primitive purity and simplicity.
SCHOOLS TO BE CLosED.-Dr. Peake,
the School Commissioner of Fairfield
County, informs US that he is compelled
to close the free schools in this County
on the 18th instant. He has received
information from the State Commits
sioner that the school fund has "played