The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-05-24
S. C.
Friday Morning May "a, 1872.
The Democratic Convention.


1868 the Democratic party. has issued q
call for State Convention of the party
to elect delegates to the general Demo
cratic Convention, which meets in Balti-
more, July 9. The State Convention is
called for the 18th of June. AS to the
Executive Committee, we presume that
they did not consider it an optional
matter with them whether they should
or should not announce oall They,
doubtless, felt constrained to give the
people, who supported the Democratic
ticket in 1868, an opportunity of taking
partin the Baltimore Convention, should
any feel 80 disposed. If there be any
suoh, unquestionably they have the right
to meet Id convention and send delegates
to the general Convention. But are
there any such7 Are there dozen men
in South Carolina to-day who favor
even On apparent resusoitation of the
Democratic party. and who would be
willing. in case the Baltimore Conven-
ton is crazy enough to nominate
straight Democratic ticket, to work for
the success Of that ticket?
Further, if we are not willing to abide
the action of the Convention, have we
any right to take part in its proceedings?
If 80, we must accord the same right to
others, and say that they could, properly
and consistently. bolt from the Oonven-
tion and make separate nomination,
should they be dissatisfied with the deci-
sion OF the majority. We opposed, to
begin with, the calling of the general
Democratic Convention. We deemed it
unwiee, useless and dangerous. If the
press can be relied upon as the exponent
of popular feeling, it is undoubtedly true
that four-ffths of the Democratic party
are strongly in favor of supporting Gree
ley and Brown. It would have been
much wiser, therefore, if no Convention
had been called. and the party been OIL
lowed quietly to take its choice between
Greeley and Grant.
That question, however, is settled. It
only remains to be determined whether
South Carolina shall send representa-
tion to Baltimore. The pertinent ques-
tion arises, what is to be gained by it?
We feel pretty certain that there is TO
body who cares to go to the Convention,
and few. if any. who feel any interest in
it. except to hope that Greeley and
Brown will be endorsed. Every one
knows that the name of Democrat,
which attaches to almost every white
man in the State, is great, if not the
chief. obstacle in the way of bringing
about that combination between the
races which, and which only, can effect
the desired reform in our State Govern
ment. We wish to shake aloof from the
Democratic party because it is injurious
to na here at home. whoro our more i'm
mediate interests and pressing necessi-
ties command our first attention. We
accomplish this best by having nothing
whatever to do with it.
It is true that the delegates from South
Carolina could cast few votes at Balti-
more in favor of the endorsement of
Greeley and Brown. But would not the
fact OF our not. sending delegates at all
exert greater influence upon the De-
monrats OF the North, if they really have
any regard for our condition, than could
the few delegates whom we may send?
Let us rather call at once convention
or mass meeting of oil the people of the
State who favor Greeley and Brown and
endorse the Cincinnati platform, to ra-
tify them.
In our judgment. this is the most ho.
nest and straightforward course, and
will do more to influence the Baltimore
Convention to sensible decision, than
our going through the sham of sending
delegates to an assemblage. to the very
meeting of which we are opposed.
It is idle to talk OF passive policy.
People will think, and talk, and act, es.
peoially on such an important occasion
as Presidential election. We are not
going to vote for Democrat. We can.