The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-08-22
The Necessity for County Organization.


portion of this County seems to have touched
the right chord among the people, and IN this
issue. we have the response of 'Another Citi-
zen.n who makes practical and definite sugges-
tions as to the proper course to attain the pro-
posed end. 1t is useless to argue further as to
the propriesy and necessity Of making nomina-
tions, unless there is desire among the peo-
ple to allow the Radicals to dictate who shall
fill the, County Offices Without any organized
opposition, that party has inaugurated politi-
cal campaign in our midst and has thoroughly
reconstructed its machinery to carry the cleo
tions. in Anderson County. Supineness and in
difference among their political opponents have
eu1boldened their action and enlarged their
desires, and we doubt not that the result of
their triumph in October, as matters now stand,
will place Objectionable characters in very i'm
portant positions for the next two or four years,
as the case may be. 1t will no longer be the
election of middle-ground men through the in
aueace and votes of the Radical party, although
we are convinced THAT such an impression will
gain credence among many. Yet, scattered
and disorganized as is the opposition, with nu-
merous candidates seeking office upon grounds
ofpersonal popularity alone, there is not needed
the Ken of prophecy to foretell the action of
the Radical party The opportunity lis offered
to elect Radicals of the strictest sect, and the
shrewdness and tact of their leaders hitherto is
q ag,larantee that they are not likely to omit an
advantage, by which rapid strides could be
made towards placing the power and patronage
of the County within their grasp None can
be go blind as not to comprehend the true situ-
ation of affairs at this juncture. What, then,
is to be done?
As an humble citizen, opposed to Radicalism
in sll its shapes and forms, we are not willing
to hand over to that party as free-wil offer
ing the entire people of Anderson County.
Experience has demonstrated elsewhere the full
extent and meaning of such proposition, and
It is useless to recapituIate the history of other
Counties under the influence and control of
Radicalism, which seeks not the good of the
whole people, but boldly de6es the wishes and
overrides the true interests of tax-paying citi-
zens. We repeat that we are unwilling to
test the experiment here, and for this rea-
SON we would enjoin upon our political
friends the duty of meeting the issue before
Us in the only practicable manner, which
is to organize an unfinching opposition to the
Radical party and seek to maintain the reputa-
ton of this County for honorable, high-toned
officials, chosen from among the white major-
ty, who are entitled to enforce their views at
at the bailot-box and whose united voice will
always secure this result.
We are fully aware that prejudices exist
among the best citizens against the system of
nominating conventions. But the truth stares
us in the face that the Radicals by this method
chiefly aggregate their strength and WELD the
ballots of the colored men in all elections. Are
we to tamely acquiescein the use of this power
full agency by our opponents, and through pref
udice alone permit them to walk unchallenged
across the pathway, which rightfully belongs
to us? Our people cannot be unwilling to
make use of the very means which they must
recognize as the weapon of their opponents.
It is an old authority that admonishes US to
learn from our enemies, and when we have the
opportunity of turning their guns upon the
sanks of our opponents, is it not wisdom to let
she grape and canister burst forth to their con-
fusion and defeat? The merest novice in mil
itary life would grasp this conclusion, and
never hesitate to adopt its suggestion on the
battlefield.
Yet, recognizing these prejudces, We are
prepared to make suggestion to the good peo-
pie of Anderson County, which seems to us
will best afford an expression Of opinion from
tho masses on this point. We would supple
ment tire proposition Of "Another Citizen"
who suggests County Convention on the 18th
Of September, by proposing that the anti -Radi-
cal element meet in the Court House on the
first Monday in September, to consider the pro-
priety Of csiling County Coasuention for the
purpose Of Nominating candidates to fill the va-
,ious Offices This preliminary meeting of
citizens from every section Of the County ought
to settle the question then and there, and if
there is really any serious opposition at this
tine to making nominations, that would be the
proper time and place to manifest itself. We
want the freest expression of opinion from all
over the County as TO the propriety of the
course suggested, and without the endorsement
and promised cooperation Of the masses, we
would quietly submit to their action. But un-
uil the people so express their views, and refuse
to combine their forces against Radicalism, We
will not cease to urge an organized and deter
mined effort to crush the hydra-headed mon
ster in our midst Should the people call a
Convention there would be no room for cavil
and fault-fnding. The candidates and their
friends, we are confident, will cheerfully submit
to the will of the people whose sufirages they
are asking, and from this chaos and confusion
will spring the most perfect order and unanimi-
L. ->.a.a-ol 10 doal O crnshinn hlnM to the