The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-11-22
THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE
IN IMPORTANT CONSULTATION OF
DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS.

FavorIng tho Leading Principles
Enunciated by the Cincinnati Fla'-
Horm-An Address by Senator Fhur-
man.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, November l5.
A special consultation meeting of Demo-
Gratis and Liberal Republicans of Ohio was
held to-day. The Liberals, about forty in num-
Der, met separately, and adopted resolutions
declaring in their opinion 1t was desirable that
the consolidation Of all elements fayoring the
leading principles enunciated by the Cincln-
natl platform should be effected, and that until
such consolidation is effected the Liberal or
eanIzatlon should be maintained; that the next
Liberal State Convention should declare
equarely In favor of tariff for revenue only,
and invite all persons, without regard to
former political associations, to unite with
them; recommending that after the next
State Convention the name OF Liberal Repub.
ncan as a party name should be dropped,
and that OF the Liberal Party be adopted;
asking all organizations, which have thus far
co.opersted with the Liberal Republicans to
abandon old party names with view to per-
feet a union under the name of Liberals; that
as party they are opposed to all special legis-
ton or special privileges, believing that the
equal rights OF all should be the guiding prin-
ciple in all the ramlacatlons of governmental
affairs.
The Democratic and Liberal Republican
State Central Committees, together with a
large number Of other representatives Of the
two organizations from various. parts of the
State, held consultation meeting this after
noon, pursuant to call issued on the 9Th OF
this month. A committee has been appointed
by the Democratic and Liberal Republican
State Executive Committees to prepare an
address to the Democrats and Liberals Of
Ohio, for consideration and adoption by this
meeting. This committee consisted OF Sena-
tor Thurman, General Thomas Ewing, Gen.
eral Brinkerhof and John N. Dashler.
Senator Thurman, on behalf of the commit
tee, reported an address to the meeting. 1t
was considered and unanimously adopted, as
follows:
To The Democrats and Liberal Republicans OF
Ohio:
Tne presluenLiai eleCuon - oFor, ouu uen-
eral Grant is reelected. 1t is not our purpose
at this time to speak of the causes OF this re-
suit. 1t Is the future that demands your at
tention, and recurrence to the past is useful
only TO ascertain the facts and lessons 1t
teaches. vast majority OF the Democratic
party, perhaps ninety-ave per cent, voted for
Greeley. A large number OF citizens here OF
the Republican organization also voted for
him. The aggregate OF their votes, as near as
we can estimate, exceeds three millions aad
quarter. Ihe nominal popular majority for
Grant Is something over half million, on
vote Of nearly or quite seven millions, ma
jority Of about seven per cent. This is the re-
snlt as nearly as we are able, In the absence
of official returns, to state 1t, but this vote
does not represent with eXaclness the senti.
ment Of the country. II ts evident that large
body of electors stayed away from the polls.
of the administration, and If they had seen TT
to cast their votes, Grants popular majority
would be very small, If indeed it would exist
at all.
The prominent features of the election may
be briefly stated. Ninety.fve per cent. OF the
Democrats voted for Greeley: Of the remain
Ing five per cent, comparatively small num-
ber voted for Grant. Ehe greater part OF
them did not vote at all. Of the Liberal Rs
publicans who Joined this party OF reform
large majority stood fast, while others, des-
pairing OF success, went BACK 10 19elr oo as
out the venal men, who from corrupt motives
deserted their cause and voted for Grant, and
cannot be relied on by any party that uses
none bnt honorable means to Iurther its sue
cess, 1t may be safely affirmed that the great
body OF the electors who stayed away from the
polls are now, as they have oee1 IN Times past,
apposed to the domiDanG Radical party. lt ls
true that they did not by their -o:e manifest
their opposition In the late election, and this
fact is greatly TO be regretted.
Bnt let rs not roughly cast harsh censure
upon them II they could not overcome their
old feelings and prejudces so far as 10 vote
for lifelong opponent: we may ss oeplOre ,9e ae
Dlace them In the ranks Of our enemies. we
have an abiding faith that, with time and re-
fiectIop. thew will be found as heretofore act
Ively on our side. The Radical camp is no
camp for them, nor is 1t part OF WISDOM 10
draw party tomahawk upon the Democrats
or Liberal Republicans VINO, IRON consc'en. %.
tlous but mistaken motives. saw nC 10 vote Ior
Grant. The circumstances were novel ana
peculiar, such asIAad never before been seen,
and men OF the best Intentions were llaole 10
err. Condemn as strongly as you will base
men who sold their votes, but be charitable 10
your old friends who, under circumstances Oh
dificulty and embarrassment, differed from
won in opinion. Instead of repelling, strive to
win them back. Free, Independent thought
is of the very essence Of Democracy and true
Rspublicanism. 1t created the Democratic
party in the beginning. 1t has maintained u
ever since. It gave rise to the Liberal Ne
rnblican element Of to-day, and 10 1t we must
look for accessions in the future.
What is needed, then, is not elimination ana
recrimination, but the opposite. Three and
nnarter millions Of electors have protested oy
their votes against Radical misrlle, under
which the country has suffered. and Which
threatens to overthrow the very forndauon OF
tree government. The reasons for their pro-
test are as potent to-day as they were Wnen
they cast their votes By every consideration
OF Consistency and Just principle these men are
bound to continue TO act together. Ihe neces.
sIty for reform Ia likely to Increase instead OF
diminish. The advocates Of Capitalization are
likely to become more audaclous than ever ID
their attacks upon local self government. Ex
actions of combined wealth and the corrupt
use OF money in elections are likely to become
established usages If not speedily rebuked. 1t
Is no time, therefore, for any lover of free
institutions, OF purity in elections and govern
ment and equal laws, to relax his eforts, nor
is 1t Intelligent or wise, or manly to despair OF
success. No reform party ever gained the
6rst baolle. Consolidated abuses can only be
oyerthrown by repeated assaults. Monopoly
and. corruption ever die hard, but In the end
they do die, when q tree aud virtuons people