The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-17
sou,h Carolina and tho Liberal Move
ment.

The Hon. A. P. Aldrich, in his fercible
letter to Mr.. Whitehead, OF St. Louis, an
nounces his approval OF the candidates and
the platform OF the Liberal Republicans, but
advises the South to send no delegates to the
National Democratic Convention. Dissen-
sion and split are apprehended, and Judge
| Aldrich, with the result Of the Convention OF
| 1868 before him, thinks that the Southern
| people should content themselves with rati-
fyipg the Cincinnati nominations and adopt.
ing the platform in Mass Meetings, in which
case the dissatisfied Democrats OF the North
and West might not be willing to assume
the responsibility Of making Democratic
nomination.
This paper has always urged the people ol
this State to coneider every proposition SUB
mitted to them in the light OF their own in
terest: for the one great reason that reform
in Columbia is more Immediately and direct
| " important to South Carolina than reform
| In Washington. A change in the policy Of
the Federal Government, especially 80 mo-
mentous o change as that which is contem-
plated in the Cincinnati platform, would be
OF great benefit to every Southern State, in
asmuch as it would throw the whole weight
of the administration against robbery and
violence and upon the side OF whatever body
of citizens might undertake the publication
OF the local governments. The Federal
cficeholders would be required to contne
themselves to the discharge OF the duties Of
/ their position. There would be an end to
the system Of thrusting into Federal office
every blatant rowdy who professed to be
able to influence votes and control elections.
The South would be al liberty, under the
State and National Constitutions, to work
for the election of competent and upright
public servants, and for the reduction OF
debt and taxation. Nevertheless, ii the
choice we're between an immediate reform
10 the State, through our own efforts, and a
deferred reform through the agency Of the
Federal Government, we should unhesi-
tatingly choose the former and allow National
politics, whatever their promise, to take care
of themselves. Speaking, however, for the
State Of South Carolina, we cannot see that,
at this time, a wheeling into line In support
Of Greeley and Brown will, In any way, les
sen the poor chance Of making change for
the better, next October, in the character OF
the government OF the State. The conserva-
tive people-call them Democrats, or not
appear to be settled 10 the determination
not to run Democratic State ticket They
profess their Willingness to sustain which,
ever wing Of the State Republican party
may offer them candidates worthy OF their
support. But it is not by any means certain
that such an opportunity will be- afforded
them. Scott, Moses and Mackey are hard
to overcome. There may be only one
ticket in the field, and tba. OF 80 Infamous a
character that no decent man can vote Tor
it. In this case what would the State have
gained by abstaining from taking part in the
National movement for Amnesty, Honesty
and the restoration OF the constitutional
rights OF the States? Nor is it likely that
any set OF Republicans in South Carolina
would be deferred from making up Liberal
ticket by the simple fact that South Carolina
was represented in the Baltimore ConVen-
ton, especially as the State election takes
place some weeks earlier than the election
for President. ANY Republicans who cry
out Tor reform in the State, and at the same
time denouuce the Republicans who are
working for reform In the United States,
cannot expect their fine professions to have
much weight with the white citizens, with
out whose votes they could not hope to be
successful.
We do not think that the election Of dele
gates to the National Democratic Conven-
tion will, in any way, nearly or remotely, In
jure this State; and we come now to con-
sideration Of the advice given by Judge
Aldrich, in which advice we cannot concur.
Throughout the Union it is admitted, by the
Administration organs, as we'll as by the
Liberal Republican and Conservative presss
that Honest Horace Greeley will be the next
President il he receive the support OF the
Democratic party. The Administration
papers, however, Insist that the Democracy
dare not accept the nomination of Greeley
and Brown, and must nominate straight
Democratic ticket. There is a deep signif-
cance in this view. With the Grant party
the wish is father to the thought. They de-
eide that the Democracy will make o party
nomination, because they know that by that
course alone can Mr.. Greeley be defeated.
This opinion is held by the entire South, by
the greater part of the West, and by all the
Eastern Democrats, except those under the
leadership OF the New York World and
papers Of that stripe. These last take the
same line Of argument as the Administration
sheets. They both assert that the Demo-
Gratis might have accepted Republican
Adams or Republican Davis, out cannot, and
must not, take up Republican Horace Gree
ley. They are both working to secure the
overthrow OF the Liberal Republican move
ment, and the reelection OF General Grant.
The conductors Of the World and its hang