The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-16
THE POLICY FOR THE SOUTH

THE POLICY FOR THE SOUTH
Il STRONG LETTER FROM THE HON.
a. p. AEDRICH.
How n Staunch, Old-Line, States-Rfghts
Democrat Views the Political situa.
Greeley and Brown.
The following letter from Hon. A. P. AL
drich, who ranks among the most uncompro-
missing Democrats of our State, will be regard
ed wherever he is known as an utterance of
deep Interest and significance:
BARNwELL, 8. c., May IA, 1872.
John P. C. Whitehead, Esq, 81. Louis, NO.:
My DEAR SIR-Yours OF The 9Th Instant was
received last night. In 1t you ask me, How is
the Democratic party OF your State on the
Cincinnati nominees?
have also been asked the following ques-
tions:
.. What is your opinion Of the policy of Mr..
Stephens, as expressed in his paper?
What is the duty of the StarY?
Iprupose to answer them ~ as few words
as possible.
First. I cannot answer for the Democratic
party, there has been no meeting of tho party
in convention; the only expression of opinion
is In the newspapers, these generally acqni-
esce. For myself, am very clear that the
platform and the nomination should not only
be ratified, but that 1t Is bad policy to have a
meeting OF the Democratic Convention; 1t can
do no good, and may do much harm. fear
dissensiOn and split. AS the Executive COM
mittee have, however. determined to call the
convention. i think the wisest course TO be
pursued IL to accept the platform and adjourn
without reference to the nomination. In my
opinion, much better policy for ns Of the
South IS to send up no delegates. But sup.
pvse this Is hardly possible.
The great mistake made by the Democratic
leaders of the North and West, who clamor
ayain.t the nomination, Is to suppose that the
next Presidential election will be q party con.
test. 1t Is an uprising of the people In favor
Of honest government. 1t will be o struggle
of the honest men to get rid oil the spectators,
prevent central despUtism, and return to o
q constitutional government In q constitution
al way. 1t cannot be denied that there exists
as great necessity for reform In the Dem0cra.
Tic party as In the Republican party. The cor
ruplion OF fTammany Is only surpassed by the
corruption Of Washington. SO desperate Is our
condition ln lhs State that reform Is an abso.
lutte necessity. politically or socially, and.
come from what quarter 1t mny, will he as
gratefully accepted as 1t Is earnestly desired.
In word, corruption has run riot In South
Carolina, and every honest man feels That he
owes duty to the State, to his family and to
himself to exert all his influence to promote
the success If that nomination which will
most likely secure reform and restore local
governmental 10 the StaLes. really think the
WIsest course for these Southern States to
pursue Is 10 make the meeting of the conven-
tion unnecessary by ratiying The nominations
and adopting The platform In mass meetings
in advance, aud TO decline to send delegates to
Baltimore. This will place such o responsible
and West that would doubt If they Will as
sumo ii. A bolt before Is much better than
alter hot blood is engendered.
Second. As 10 Mr.. Stephens's article. ]
have such high respect Tor the virtue, patri-
olism and wisdom Of the man, that any deiib.
erale opinion expressed by him commpnds II.
self 80 flvorably 10 my mind, that when differ
ness of my own Judgment But have
earnestly considered these questions, and
cannot see what possible good can come 10
the country by trying 10 keep alive dead
Issues. Mr. Stephens Is perfectly right from
his standpoint; he adheres to The party, and,
II seems 10 me-, Ignores the present. Now,
am just as st ong States rights Democrat as he
Is, but verify believeit Mr.. Calhoun was now
alive he would see things as they are, and try
to shape the policy OF the country to meet
and correct the present evils. The new
amendmeuto GRO just aH much narL a. the
constitution as the first article. They have
received legislative sanction, executive sup
port, judicial construction, and are acqulesced
In by The people. The Obvious policy then, Il
seems to inc, is to so shupe the legislation OF
the Congress as TO counteract ana prevent the
mil mi uya hQltnUa will nrIaQ tr0no thptr
adoption. The local authority OF The States
must be restored, the supremacy Of the civil
over The military must be respected, the
courts must be unfeitered, honesty In the
collection and disbursement OF the taxes must
be enforced. III fine, The broom OF reform
must make clan sweep. MIR. Ste.
phens living In Georgia, with his 10000
white majority, can afford to cut loose
from Federal politics and devote himself en-.
and noble State. But how Is 1t with US, who
have a 20 900 black majority to. contend
against? Unless we get help from abroad our
case is perfect y hopeless. We cannot afford
to cling TO dead theories, and ore forced TO
discuss living issues. That these amendments
were passed In violation Of the constitution
and forced on US by the bay0net, admit; but
they are nevertheless parts Of The consliLn-
tlon, and any attempt TO disturb them now
ruin. OF course, We could not affiliate with
the carpet-bag thieves who have been robbing
ls since the war, because that would have
sanctioned their rascality. aud given them a
certain degree Of responsibility. But the mo-
ment the honest men OF their own party cry
out against them and invite ns to help reform
the government, 1t will be suicidal 10 refuse
the invitation. and Qllxollc 10 oppose the
movement. Because we have differed In the
past In certain political theories, settled
against us by legislation we could not pre-
vent and cannot now repeal, Is no good rea-
son for refusing the olive branch when 1t Is
rendered.
Third. From what have said you will per-
celve that l have answered the last question.
In my opinion it Ia not only the plain duty ot
the Stale, but of the South, to support the
platform and ratiiy The nomination 0y accla-
nation. tulpk meeting OF the Democratic
Convention such o dangerous experiment that
l earnestly advise these dUwn.trodden South.
ern people to keep out Of 1t. Our experience
In New York, four years ago, Is fresh In my
memory.
Trusting, my dear sir, that your move to
Missouri has been fortunate one, and feeling
pleased that you have not forgotten our pleas
ant ASSOCIATION in Georgia, hope you will
meet with all the success that desire for you.
Very truly yours, A. P. ALDRlcH.