The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-05-10
The Attitude Of the South.

The Attitude OF the Soutn.
The National Democratic Committee have
determined to hold the National Democrat
ic Convention in the City OF Baltimore on
the 9th of June, by which day the candl-
dates and platform OF the Administrator
Radicals will be known. AS they had no
authority to decide that the Democratic
millions should not come together to delib-
crate upon the policy OF their party, the duty
OF the committee was limited to fixing the
time and place for the assembling OF the
National Convention. Baltimore, under the
circumstances, was as good place as could
have been chosen; and the time is early
enough for the men who are In hot haste,
and sufficiently late for those who desire to
move deliberately and with knowledge OF
the plans OF the opposition. The National
Committee had wisely postponed the whole
matter until after the adjournment OF the
Liberal Republican Convention, and no
fault need be found with their management
OF the affairs Of the party. When, how
ever, we hear that the majority OF the conf
mittee are in favor OF nominating indepen-
dent Democratic candidates for President and
vice-President, we need not jump to tie con-
clusion that this is an authoritative express
sion OF the wishes Of the Democratic masses.
The National Committee was appointed
about four years ago, when the temper OF
the country was widely different from what
it ia now. It's members doubtless did, at
the time OF their &C. >ctlon, represent the
views of the DemoL .cy OF their respective
States; but it does not by any means follow
that they represent the Democratic opinion
of to-day. TIE committee speak for them
selves; they do not pretend to bind The
party.
The National Convention being called, it
remains for the conservative people OF the
country to give practical effect to their ap-
proyal OF the nomination of Honest Horace
Greeley. The attempt will be made to re-
ject the Liberal nominations and to nomi-
nate straight Democratic ticket. TO this
course the friends OF Grant will lend them
selves, because nothing but Democratic
nomination can save their candidate from a
disastrous defeat The Southern States,
however, will have the controlling vote.
They can control the Baltimore Convention,
and go Illustrate the schemes OF local poll
ticians. It may suit New York or Mary
land Democrat to sacrifice the national can.
didates in order to retain his personal as
cendancy in his own State. This bargain
ing is sport to him; but it is death to the
South, which, besides, is tired OF being on
the losing side, and declines TO be "sold
s'out" for the benefit OF any political Clique.
The Southern journals are well-nigh unani-
nous in the declaration that an honest and
impartial National Government is indispen-
sable to Southern prosperity. They declare,
furthermore, their belief that Horace Gree
lev and Gratz Brown will give the country
such a government. And they declare,
lastly, their conviction that the nomination
OF Democratic candidate defeats Greeley
and secures Grants reelection. Holding
these opinions, and frankly uttering them,
the Southern Democrats have only oRe
safe course to pursue. They must busy
themselves in securing the election Of such
delegates to the Baltimore Convention as
will, without hinching, urge the endorse
ment OF Horace Greeley, and will not oe
hoodwinked into the nomination OF Demo.
cratic party candidate. The pressure may
be great, and the delegates should be bold
and determined men, who know what their
constituents require, and are not afraid to
call spade spade. There is no time for
long parley. II the professional politicians
obtain the upperhand in the Southern dele:
cations, the West will be unable to resist
them successfully, and the nomination Of a
Democratic dummy, put up to be knocked
down, is next door to certain.
We hold it to be the duty OF the Southern
States to send truly liberal representative
delegates to the Baltimore Convention; but,
In any case, the Northern Democrats should
remember that il, by their selfish obstinacy,
they make it impossible to elect Mr.. Gree
ley, they may find that the Southern people
are sorely tempted to make terms with any
party which will pledge itself to act hereafter
with decent regard for the wishes and in
terests Of the South.