The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-06
The Young Men.

them, the Columbia fHSHtiC, Luo HAnno-
boro' Neus, the Yorkville Enquirer and the
Abbeyille Mediuns-beleve that the politi-
cal reforms required in this State can be
more easily accomplished by the younger
men than by what correspondent has
called the "natural leaders" OF the people.
It is urged that the younger men are Tree
from the embarrassments which attend any
marked chaage Of direction on the part OF
veteran politicians. They have no public
record which can be appealed to in dis
paragement Of the sincerity OF their accept
ance OF the constitution and laws, as they
are. They have nothing to unlearn. They
are free to take whatever course may ap-
pear likeliest to lead 10 the end desired.
There is force In these suggestions; and
it is somewhat surprising that the advocates
of the new departure should fear any disn-
clination on the part Of the veterans to give
the young recruits the front rank In the
fight and the substantial benefits OF victory.
OF the thousands OF citizens OF South Caro-.
lima who held. Office usder the State and
Federal Governments before the war,
and who took part in the war, none
are now eligible to office excepting the fe"
whose dis; tilities have been removed by
Congress. The Fourteenth Amendment to
the Constitution OF the United States pre-
vents niue-tenths OF the older politicians
from holding office; and We are not at all
sure that these would be exceedingly anx-
ious to re-enter the arena If their dlsabill-
ties were taken away. Some OF them would,
OF course, be willing to have public honors
forced upon them, but tue larger number
would prefer to remain In private life. We
do not think that there is the least
danger OF the old leaders embarras-
sing the young men in any liberal and
progressive movement which these may
make. During the past six or seven years
the Young men have done next to nothing
They have, upon oil occasions, run to their
elders for advice and assistance, and these
they have always received. 1t is true that
the men whom the State had loaded with
iavors have not always been prompt to take
their share OF the common responsibility;
but, upon the whole, we think there is far
less reason to complain OF the older men,
our ssnatural leaders," than OF the younger
men, their natural successors.
There is no reason why fresh startshou!d
not be made. The late municipal election in
Charleston is an evidence OF what the young
men can do when they ge 10 work 10 earn
est. That campaign was planned and car
ried out by young men, and by them alone
Upon the same general basis q similar result
might be reached throughout the State; it
being understood, however, that we cordial
ly support the proposition that the South
Carolina Democracy refrain, this year, from
nominating a State ticket 10 opposition TO
the Radical candidates. And il the young
men decide to turn over new leaf, they
have all opportunity of proving their zeal and
their truth. The cornerstone OF the young
mems movement must be Toleration 1t
cannot countenance social ostracism, or
public persecution for opinions sake. An
honest man must be treated as an honest
man, whether he be Democrat or Repub-
lican. Secret political societies must be
abolished. Ii the principles which we hold
and advocate are true, they need not fear
discussion in the broad light OF day. If
those principles are untrue, let them go down
to oblivion. What we urge in private we
must be ready to urge before the whole com.
| munity. The man who attempts to regen-
crate this government by oath-bound leagues
| or nocturnal meetings is, whatever the sim
cerity Of his motives, his own enemy, and
the enemy of this people.