The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-05-30
Our Position.

Our Position.
An esteemed correspondent from Pendleton
expresses regret-at the course we have decided
to pursue in regard to the State Democratic
Conventions. We beg leave to say that it is our
deliberate conviction, after reviewing the entire
subject, that the white people of South Carroll
ma will best subserve their interests by remain
ing aloof from the Presidential contest that
they have nothing to gain and everything to
lose by taking even so small part as sending
delegates to Baltimore; that more than any
other people in these United States, they are
helpless and powerless to advance the prospects
of Presidential nominee; that we believe
the National Democratic Convention will in
sist upon making strict party nominations, and
will ignore the Liberal Republican movement,
which is the only possible chance of defeating
Grant that this course will be pursued in de-
spite of remonstrances and appeals from the
South, and for the reason that our wants and
necessities politically are exactly the reverse of
many, Northern Democrats, who will move
heaven and earth to control the action of the
Baltimore Convention; that the gradual devel-
opment of public opinion in the North, after
the momentary enthusiasm among Democrats
which was evoked by the unexpected nomina-
ton at Cincinnati, fully sustains this view as
to the probable result at Baltimore, and that
the pressure is becoming greater every day in
favor of straight-out Democratic nomination !;
that in case Democratic ticket is put in the
field, the contest will become similar to that of
1868, as Horace Greeley is pledged to retire
from the canvass under such circumstances,
and the reelection of Grant is then rendered
doubly assured that there is no possible
chance to defeat Grant in this State, under the
most favorable aspect of the situation that, if
we hope TO effect any change for the better in
our State government, it must come through a
split in the Radical party as it is now organ
lied, and that there is not the remotest proba-
bility of either wing, in case there is division,
going against the regular nominee of the Phil
adelphia Convention for President, as to do so
would render defeat of that wing certain, since
the bayonet election laws will carry South Car
olina at all hazards. Believing thus, we can
not conscientiously recommend to the people
of Anderson County with whom we are politi-
cally affiliated any other course than to remain
perfectly quiet, refraining from any entangling
alliances on the Presidential question, and be-
ing prepared to unite with that wing of the
Radical party in this State which promises an
honest and just administration of the State
government. In case no such opportunity is
presented, then we would have the white peo-
pie of South Carolina diligently and earnestly
engaged in industrial pursuits, unmindful of
the political storm as it howls around them,
and illustrating the noblest qualities of suf-
fering and oppressed people, calmly abiding
the result with manly endurance and sternest
fortitude. These are our honest sentiments and
convictions. With the greatest respect for the
opinions Of others, and with no desire to make
use of our position as journalist in restric-
ted or partisan sense, we have freely devoted
these columns to the dissemination of opposite
views, and will continue to do so, striving al
ways to maintain our own selfrespect by giving
utterance to no uncertain sounds, so far as our
own political views are concerned. In this
catholic spirit, we will cheerfully accord the
fullest opportunities to such as differ with us
as to the propriety of appointing delegates to
the State Democratic Convention, and we
would not for single moment deter others
from seeking to have Anderson County duly
represented. But, in conclusion, truth compels
us to assert that the general expression Of pub
lie opinion, so far as we ascertain, is against
sending delegates to Columbia.