The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-04-23
4 Glance at the Political Situation.


and it becomes the duty of earnest, honest men
to inquire as to the most practicable means for
the accomplishment of this object. Affairs in
this State are attracting unusual thought and
attention from every portion of the country,
and the widespread condemnation of existing
evils has aroused and excited alarm in the
dominant party. Hence, there is a general
outcry, inside the Republican ranks, that re-
formation must take place. Two years ago.
the denun Citations of SCOTS administration
were equally vigorous and pronounced within
the State, and an abundant reform was prom
ised, which has never been fulfilled and re-
deemed. The same individuals are loudly
asserting their ability to effect thorough
reformation of abuses, and proclaim their in
tentions for the coming campaign. PARTY
fealty and services are the most prominent
characteristics in the selection of men to lead
this reformation, and the opposition are de-
nounced at every step as incapable of affording
assistance, unless they unite with the Republi-
can organization and become members of this
political sanhedrim. Honesty, integrity and
capability are secondary considerations, while
the possession of these qualities must be the
prime necessity to restore an honest and eco
nomical government for the people.
We are told that the Democratic or Conserv-
ative element in this State has committed mis-
takes and provoking blunders in the past, by
causing the Republicans to maintain an un-
broken front, which allowed the worst men to
obtain control of that organization and fill the
Offices. This is puerile reasoning, to say the
least of it, for the very fact of opposition
should incite the Republicans to select men OF
the highest integrity and capacity, in order to
silence the batteries of their opponents. Such
would be the course of action in any other
portion of the United States. Why not expect
the organization of a Democratic minority in
Vermont to produce this effect upon the Re-
publicans there? Is the party in South Caro-
lima so completely under the domination OF
corrupt men that fimsy pretext of opposition
will cement the rank and file to their unquali-
fed support? 1t is at once confession of
shameless submission to the power of rogues
and plunderers, who have disgraced the name
of Republican, and made the term so odious
in the eyes of respectable people that there are
absolutely no recruits from the disorganized
opposition. Suppose like condition of things
existed in any of the Northern States, where
the Republicans had control. Desertion to
the party in power would inevitably follow,
and the ofice-seekers would throng the prma-
ny meetings, with the hope of securing favor
and patronage. Such is not the case in South
Carolina, although an occasional leaning to-
wards the Republicans, on the part of design
ing men, only proves the assertion that de-
cent and honest administration would have
this effect.
But why consult the probable action of the
Democrats in matter so vitally concerning
the welfare and prosperity of the whole people 2
The evils of oppressive taxation, and misappll-
cation of public funds, are the sources Of COM
plant within the Republican party, and the
blind adherents to that party must feel these
burdens, directly or indirectly. None can es-
cape wholly from the disastrous consequences,
and it is absurd to allege that mere organized
opposition to the authors of these evils justifies
a continuance of their unbridled power and
licentious abuse of public trusts. On the con-
trary, as we have already shown, the danger
of an overthrow ought to stimulate the Repub-
licans to GUST the disreputable leaders, who
have concocted the plans and executed the ne
farious designs which bring such maledictions
upon their organization from one end of the
country to the other, including their staunchest
allies in the Northern States.
We can only explain the senseless cry
against the organization of the Democratic
party as paltry trick, intended to influence
the white people against their natural leaders,
aud serve to postpone the time when the whites
and blacks will unite to the CONSERVATION OF
unscrupulous ofice-holders, who have betrayed
their trusts and deceived their followers in
every campaign. 1t is passing strange that
any portion of the Democrats are influenced
by this trick, and tacitly assent to the astound-
ing proposition. The demoralization of the
Democrats emboldens continuance of fraud
and corruption. A compact and thorough Or
ganization of all opposed to the practices not
principles of the Republican party in South
Carolina would to-day strengthen the efforts of
any honest, we'll meaning men within that
organization, and encourage them to persevere
in securing upright, fearless officials, whose
characters are unimpeachabe and whose mo-
tives could not be assailed. We believe there
are few of this class, but they are in woful
minority-which does not include such as would
foist upon the ignorant, deluded negroes a
different set of pernicous scoundrels, ready to
;nvant fresh deviltry and extort money from