The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-11-02

sent case, we believe to be much larger tnan
usnal. When it is considered that neither OF
the two candidates was the first choice OF
large numbers Of voters, both Republican and
Democratic, and that q good deal of the sup
port which is given under protest, and with
omen professions of regret that the choice
should be go limited, 1t is easy to understand
that there has been more honest difficulty
than usual felt and expressed by voters, DOM
az to how 10 vote and whether to vote at all.
On both sides the. claims OF party allegiance
have been rudely shaken, as shown by the
detection from the irregular camp" OF the
large and enlightened body of Liberal Repup'
licans, and by the murmuringS and discomfort
of s.straight- out" Democrats, dissatisfied with
the party decision at Baltimore. The whole
canvass has borne testimony to this state anu
temper of the popular mihd. The tactics OF
both parties have been those chiefly OF attack,
rather than of defence, as II more was to be
hoped for from scathlng exposure and de-
monstratlon of the faults and demerits OF the
"other side," than from the assertion OF any
positive claims to the public confidence ana
SUPPORT. It is this which has made the cam
paIgn one of the most personal. abusive anu
scandslous In the annals OF our politics.
A stlll stronger incentive, however, to make
the most of the time and opportunity Wnicn
ot,Il remain will be found in the degree OF
suathy which ls yet to be overcome IN many
horizons of the country and among large
class OF voters upon the subject OF the Presl-
dentIal election. This apathy is, of course,
traceable In part to the causes already sug'
rested dissatisfaction with the conditions
under which the Presidential issue is made
mn. and With the choice of candidates present.
by the dominating conventions. This, coupled
with the wholesale abuse and villifcadon OF
publIc men on both sides, with which the
press and stump have teemed, seems to have
bepolten q sort of despair In the minds OF
some as to the possibility Of any good coming
out OF the present contest. OF this frame OF
mind and Its fruits We have lately had not
ahle and not unnatural illustration In South
Carolina In the State election recently held,
where a very large proportion OF the white
voters simply stayed away from the polls from
the polls from utter diagust apparently with
politics generally, and q disbelief in the possl-
bIlity of any present change for the better.
II ia true that the circumstances OF that unfer-
tnnste State are, to some extent, exceptional
and abnormal, and when We consider the
character Of the candidates, as general rule,
who we're up to be voted for, the abstentlon
of the white voters is not remarkable. But
the feeling, with some modification, extends
beyond rhe borders of South Carolina. It Is
the spirit OF political pessimism which, within
the last twelve years, has taken the place, to
some extent, OF that buoyant and selfcona-
dent optimism which used to be the charac-
terIstIc of American politicians and politics.
It Ia a morbid sentiment BY all means to be
fought against and overcome; 10 the darkest
days OF the old Whlg party, favorite device
upon the ballots on which the names oil the
candidates were printed used to be repre-.
sentauon OF shlp.ot-wsr In action, with the
words Of the dying Lawrence inscribed az Q
motto, "Don't give up the ship" Something
OF this manly spirit seems to be wanting now
a patriotism which, like that of the ancient
Roman, shall inoulcats az 9 duty, "Never to
despair of the republic" What ls needed now
to insure to the country q safe deliverance on
Tuesday of next week is not new facts or new
arguments, but courage, faith, confidence In
themselves, in their institutions, In their fu'
turs, on the part Of thousands whose under
standings are convinced, but who have SUIT
fered their hearts and spirits 10 become cold
and dead In The presence of those causes OF
discouragement We have mentioned.