The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-03
COLUMBIA. S. G.
Wednesday norning, April 8. 1872
A Consultation of Leading Democrats
The Democratic National Convention
not yet Determined Upon.

hOL yet OeteEnntneu UpOns
We learn from our New York ex-
changes that Mr.. August Belmont, the
Chairman of the Democratic National
Executive Committee, has recently
visited Washington and conferred with
the members of the party in Congress
upon ''the situation" and the course to
be pursued. Upon the National Execu-
tive Committee, of which Mr.. Belmont
is chairman, devolves the duty of calling
and fixing the time and place of meeting
OF the Democratic Nominating Conven-
tion. Ssvera! of the Democratic papers
of the West, among them the Louisville
Ledger, have been soundly berating Mr..
Belmont for not holding o meeting Of
his committee and having the National
Convention called. Ovcr-zealous Demo
crate have gone SO far as to charge the
distinguished chairman with acting in
bad faith, and with on intention of be-
traying his party and virtually selling
them out to the liberal Republicans by
his non.active policy. Threats have
been made, too, of calling upon the
members of the committee to assemble
and take action, without waiting longer
upon tho tardy chairman. We take it,
however, that in his passive policy Mr..
Belmont has been acting in accordance
with the views Of majority of the in
0uential and active Democrats. The re-
suit of the conference in Washington n
would Indicate this at least It was
there determined that Mr.. Belmont
should issue call for the meeting of the
Executive Committee some time in May,
after the Cincinnati Convention, and in
the then light of events decide upon the
expediency and propriety of announcing
the National Nominating Convention.
In our Judgment, this course is emil
nently wise, and will meet the approba-
lion of the great body of Democrats.
There will probably be some hot heads
in Kentucky and other strong Democra-
tic communities, which, being safe and
satisfied as to their local success, are
ready and anxious to make any venture,
however rash, to hoist the Democratic
flag in the national campaign. These
may denounce the passive policy, md
clamor for an immediate marshaling of
Democratic forces and an active prose-
cution OF the campaign under the old
banner. Those, however, who are we'd
ded to principles rather than to nero
name-who honor and sustain party
simply as an instrument to effect the
welfare of tho country, and not as an
idol-who, in short, take sensible and
patriotic view of political duty, will
heartily endorse Mr.. Belmont's course,
which is taken, too, uuder the counsel
and advice of the leaders in Washington.
Until the Cincinnati Convention
meets, and we are informed authorita-
lively of the views, the policy and the
probable strength Of the liberal Repub-
lican movement, it is simply matter of
mpossibility to decide how the conserva-
tive element, which mostly makes up
the Democratic party, shall shape its
course 80 as to throw its influence uron
the side of good government and for the
furtherance of its time honored princi-
Piles, with the greatest probability of sue
cess. From the Indications so fur given
Of the spirit that underlies the liberal
Republican movement, it promises to
commend itself to the favor of true men
ct both parties. In this event, any op-
position to it by the Democratic party
will be not only suicidal, but criminally
unpatriotic, at such juncture as this,
when thinking minds throughout the
entire Union concur in regar ding with
alarm Grants continuance in power.
The vexed negro question being finally
and permanently settled, there is now no
vital issue between Democrats and genu-
inc Republicans. Nothing but the me-
mory OF past conflicts keeps them npart.
It has become 80 much Of habit for q
Democrat to oppose Republican, and,
vice versa, for Republican to oppose q
Democrat. that men scarcely stop to