The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-20
The state Conventton-Its Powers and
Duty.

llth OF June. This Convention Will ue'ei-
mine whether the Democracy OF this state
shall send delegates to the National Demo-
cratic Convention, and. what line OF policy
the delegates, il sent, shall pursue.
Upon the main issue OF the Pre8ldentiai
canvass the South Carolina Democracy are
annareptly a unit. Tney look first to the
welfare OF the State, but they have no re'1-
son TO fear that their taking part in the BAL
timore Convention will diminish the pros
noct q, local reform, and they know and feel
that sucb a reform in the character OF the
National Government as is promised in the
Cincinnati platform would be OF incalculable,
II indirect, advantage to all the States OF
the South. There are some few presses in
this State which are still in doubt. These
await the action OF the National Convention
before deciding what they will do. TO them
we say that the Baltimore Convention can
not change wrong into right. The wisdom,
navl the common sense OF q course OF &C
tion is not determined by Its adoption or re-
lection by q political convention: Such q
body may cause movement to fall, mas
much as it is far easier to pull down than to
build up; but it cannot, by set OF resolu-
tions. make the movement one jot more or
less patriotic and sagacious than it was be-
fore the Convention assembled. 1t Is our
deliberate Judgment, and we believe it TO De
the Judgment OF tue large majority OF the
south Carolina Democracy, that tne noml-
nation OF q Democratic candidate in Balti-
more will ensure the reelection OF Grant,
and destroy the only reasonable expectation
which the Southern States have had, In
seven years, OF obtaining Amnesty and
Peace. Such nomination would be an act
of selfish folly, II not worse; and what we
call 1t now we should unhesitatingly call 1t
when the act, and with 1t our ruin, was ac-
complished. The interests Of the Northern
Democrats are not, in many respects our
interests. They can afford to stake their
fortunes on q sentiment or o name, out Ibis
particular form OF foolishness Is well-nigh
dead in tho South. We want just govern
ment, which will not interfere with the
rights OF the people, and under which COM
merce shall revive and person and property
be safe. This manner OF government the
Southern States must have, and they will
not hold them guiltless who, because OF silly
ao..,,i..- -,--r>--~~~ai- ambition stnna-h@-
tween tie South and redemption from the
worst evils which ever afflicted people. 1t
is indispensable that these convictions have
their full expression at Baltimore, and It is
therefore duty to appoint strong delega-
ton from every Southern State. There Is no
doubt that South Carolina will send her rep
resentatives. The press is nearly in accord
upon that point. 1t must be our endeaVor'
besides, to choose delegates who will htly
represent the present opinions ofthe people
men OF thought and power, who will not be
cozened or brow-beaten by any set OF Tam
many politicians. We think it best that the
South Carolina delegation should be In
structed to oppose, in every way, the noml-
nation of Democratic candidates Tor Presl-
dent and President. 1t ID not ex-
pected, nor ia it desirable, that the Ma
tional Convention should nominate Gree
ley and Brown. They can and they should
abstain from making nomination, and
should advise the Democratic masses to sup
port the Cincinnati candidates as the surest
way OF accomplishing the changes in the
policy OF the government which are requisite
for personal safety and public freedom. All
these matters, 30 far as South Carolina is
concerned, must be determined in Columbia
on the 1lth OF June, and We deem 1t Of the
first Importance that the Convention be q
full one, aud that it be composed OF the right
kind OF men-that Is, Of men who represent
the wise opinions Of to-day, not the crotch
ETY. notions OF four or five years ago.
The County Meetings to elect delegates to
the State Convention will be held, We pre-
sume, on the first Monday In June-in
Charleston the meeting might properly be
held at an earlier day. There may not be o
great disposition to encounter the trouble
and expense Of going to Columbia; because
no opposition will be apprehended to the
action generally expected to be taken. But
this State cannot afford to run any risk.
South Carolina should CRY out for reform
more loudly than her sister States; for her
plight is worse than theirs. 1t is not her
wont to whisper the story Of her suffering;
and, now that these spur her to insist that
the Northern politicians shall not again
sacrifice her and her sisters, her voice must
| be clear and resonant as the blast OF trum-
pet. And this can only be, II the State
Convention be composed OF her staunchest
citizens, and if, in addition, her delegates
carry with them the unmistakeable express
sion of the fixed resolution OF her people.
Upon this Presidential election, as we under
stand the situation, depends the veal or the
| woe of South Carolina. The County meet
ings should be large, and the State ConVen'
ton should be full. And in selecting dele
gates to the State Convention 1t is hoped
that the people will remember how much
harm has before this been done by the rash
| words OF thoughtless doctrinaires. No man