Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-08-07
The New Party--I,etter from MIR.
Grocsbeck, of Ohio.
CINCINNATI, May 5, 1S7

CINcINNATI, May 5, 1873.
Ny DEAR SIR: l have your letter of
April %, and should have answered it
sooner, and have no sufficient apology for
not doing So Permit me TO say that the
reply 1 have to make to it Is not for pub
lcation, but personal 10 yourself and
those at whose suggestion You have writ
ten. believe the historical Democratic
organization is spoiled Blunderng con,
stantly during the lest Ten years, and
shattered by many defeats, 1t surrendered
finally at the last Presidential election. 1t
cannot recall that surrender, or the con-
cessions then made, and it has no longer
strength enough for victory in this en-
trcmity. 1t will likewise lay aside the
old organization and enter into new one.
The organization should accept the re
suits of the war, as was done at Baltl-
more, and it should accept them IN good
faith, and so as to command the confidence
Of the people. The recognition should be
something more than recast OF the old
one. There should be no eXclusiveness
about it, nor should it be merely Demo
cratic. 1t should be made up Of present
Democrats, and of all Republicans who are
offended by the policy and tendency OF the
present Administration. The new organ
ization should be the Joint work OF Demo
Gratis and Republicans, and both should
be equally at home in it-neither the
guest of the other. You ask, what should
Be its name? Call it the Liberal Demo
cracv that will mean the free, unselfsh
government OF the people; and now, as
to its doctrine or principles, you ask in
this connection how the question Of ne
gro suffrage should be treated? That
question is no longer before us. Negro
suffrage is the bloody consummation of
. great war, and nothing short of war can
undo it in our day In my opinion, it will
endure in this Government aslong as gen
eral suffrage. I comprehend the objec-
tions to it, and think it was granted too
soon to that part OF our population re-
Gently emancipated. All should make some
preparation for this day We deny suf-
frage to the foreigner for time, in order
that he may prepare for it, and we have
schools for all, on the theory that all should
Prepare for it; but it is granted, and 1t
clnnot be recalled nor do think it wise,
such a Government as this, to keep
permanently so large a part of our people
il an inferior, degraded condition. Sla
very was always danger.
To hold this population, now free, IN a
degraded condition, would be greater
danger and always trouble to us. Say we
have adopted doubtful policy; it is done
l accept It, and on al such questions ad-
mitted to be of doubtful expediency, /
shall for the remainder OF my life, if per-
chance l must, ever strive at least to be
tolerant, generous and humane, rely for
good voting as much upon the heart as
upon the head concur in what else
YOU suggest. The new organization should
oppose all forms of monopoly. This is too
plain to need argument. Monopolles are
an outrage and an offence against the
people. The new organization should op-
pose Capitalization, and it should advo-
cate home government il all its local a.
fairs, and TO the utmost extent that 1t Is
practicable. You cannot keep a people
free, sturdy and intelligent without home
government it is home government that
trains Us, teaches us reliance and develote tes
manliness. Take it away, and the fee
man disappears Centralize power at
Washington, and we are transferred &c
outside management. No longer govern
ing ourselves, We must be governed. De-
pending upon Washington, we lose our
selfdependence, and the free citizen soon
degenerates into mere subject, whose
whole dutyit is to obey thelaw, and whose
only desire it is to be amused in idleness.
You refer me also to the question of free
trade. The new organization should make
it one of its cardinal doctrines There
should be no equivocation OF double mean
ing about this. A prohibitory tariff is in
plain contradiction to The character OF our
Government. We are all equal in rights
privileges and immunnies. There should
be no discrimination, no favoritism, ne
paytialities, personal or'fnancial; and a.
a commercial policy, prohibitory tariff
is behind the age-almost a barbarlsm-
and belongs to the times when nations
were walled and commerce without wings.
I believe l have substantially answered
your letter The new organization may
properly antagonize the party now ad
ministering our affairs at almost every
point. While thisIs so, it should not un-
dertake TO be everything at once, or push
reform without some regard to immediate
consequences.
Changes that shock by their abrupt
ness, are not always inst or fair. We
should never forget sound principles, and
We should move toward them constantly
surely and steadily, but sometimes grad
ually. l don't believe in daily revolution,
or violent arrangement Of public affairs.
Let me suggest doctrine to which you
have not referred mean the doctrine OF
strict construction of the Constitution.
Have you considered what certain pre-
ventive Of misgovernment may DC found
in the faithful application of this doctrine?
believe such an application Of it would
correct almost every public evil Of which
we complain 1t is worth your while to
test its reach and efficacy and what
splendid doctrine II is for such a Govern
ment as ours; how it exalts the individu.
al man, and how il subordinates The Gov
ernment. 1t may fetter the Government
low anu tueH, out never me GltiLeH. ne
always remains uppcrmost, and master.
am not politician, or competent to ad-
wise, but if YOU Should make such 3 move
ment as you propose, it should be con-
Quoted so as to give the strongest assur
ance that it sought reform and not place.
| am a Democrat but | should be very
glad to see the Democracy move out Of lis
Old organization into new one. You
will not succeed unless they do it. May
be they will refuse, and prefer TO tarry
where they are for the balance Of the cen
tury, and until they can tx the meaning
of the resolutions Of '96; if SO, l suppose
! shall tarry with them After all, | like
the old political homestead ! confess, it
is somewhat dilapidated. There are ne
banners pnon its walls and vlctoricus