The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-03-30
COLUMBIA,S.C.
Sunday Morning, March %, 1873
The Next Presidential Election...Hopesai
Views OF Hon. |. @. c. Lamar.

The Atlanta Herald has made an intcs
s'resting publication of the views enter
,tained by Hon. L. @. c. Lamar, member
of Congress from Mississippi, rs to the
approaching issue of the Presidential
election, and of the policy which he
" thinks necessary to secure Democratic
OF Liberal Republican triumph. Mr..
Lamar is widely known for his ability,
-eloquence and patriotism. He has made
"a study of the situation, after cnjoying
the best opportunities, and We regard his
words as eminently worthy of being care
fully considered. He was with Senator
Gordon, recently, in New Hampshire.
canvassing the State, and regards the
election there as in no wise discouraging
to the Democrats. He does not believe
that the Republicans can carry the State
in % general Presidential canvass. The
" election just held was an isolated election,
and the Administration was able to bring
to bear, upon itan elaborate and pervad,
ing attention, and to concentrate upon it
all its influence, but cannot do as much
in general canvass. Upon the subject
of the next Presidential election, MI. La
mar asserts his knowledge that
There is an overwhelming majority,
against the Administration in the coun-
.>try. do not imagine, though, that this
majority is within the ranks Of the Demo-
: cratic party. It exists, under different
names, as separate elements, and is con-
: trolled by distinct influences. On the
one issue of opposition to the present
AdminiBtrationAits centralizing tenden-
'cies, it's corrupt practices and its incom-
petent rule-this majority is agreed. On.
other issues, it is divided into elements
more or less antagonistic. If this loose
and diverse majority can be harmonizedi
it, in other words, the elements can be
> brought to believe that the points of
union are more essential than points of
difference, the Administrations will be
swept from power on the tide of q humi-
liating defeat. ~ ',.is ,,s,fi :. mn ~
1.-The victories of last fall were not
strictly Democratic Victories They were
antisAdministJatinn Victories; They were
AEot achieved by the Democratic party as
n party, but by Democrats, Conserva-
xiyes, Liberal Republicans and anti-Ad-
administration men, fighting for the time
snnder the Democratic flag, just as the
Democrats in the Greeley campaign
fought under the Liberal Republican
.s.s. They were allies of the Democratic
pArty-not converts to its doctrines. It
ii all important for us to realize that it
was q triumph achieved by cooperation.
not by conversion. These allies, though
friendly still to the Democratic party,
and hostile to the present Administrative
ARE not bound indissolubly or even Sc
ourely ours. If they are content to fight
the. next fight with us, we will whip it.
If they are driven of, we will lose IL.
The great Liberal and Conservative ele-
ments would like to see the Democrats
in power, I think, provided it would
show some Difference to Liberal opinions
and some appreciation Of Liberal leaders.
There is . pungent apprehension through
the minds of the whole. Liberal or Con.
servative party that as soon as the Demo-
Gratis get into power they will inaugurate
-reactionary' legislation, and will throw
the Liberal leaders overheard. have
already heard point made on the defeat
of Schurz. Now, we are all glad to have
General Cookerell in the Senate. he is
an able and patriotic man, but Schurx
was undoubtedly the leader of the Libe-
Tal movement He was the most brilliant,
daring exponent 1t had. He led all the
great Republican captains ont of the
ranks and joined them to the Democratic
party. ne organized the revolt, as far as
1t is in his power to organize anything.
Added to this, he was one of the very
ablest Statesmen that ever sat in the Se-
nate, and is az pure as he is able. There
is no man who did more, none who did
as much, the Liberals say, towards the
disruption of the Radical party. and the
consequent Democratic triumph, as Carl
Schurz. And yet (they sny distinctly
the very first thing the Democrats do
when they get into power is to throw
Schurz contemptuously overboard, with
out giving him even o complimentary
vote. This sort of work, if persisted in
by the Democrats, will, the Liberals and
. Conservatives say, drive these party
friends back into the Republican ranks
But really. the strongest fear that may
prevent an absolute union of all the
Anti-Administration elements with the
Democrats is the fear that when the De-
1nocrats get into power they will reopen
the question of the amendments; attempt
to undo the results Of the war; demand
pay for the Southern slaves, etc.. The
proper remedy for this il for the Demo-
Gratis to plant themselves on firm, but
prudent, platform, and say to the people
exactly what they propose to do. Lot
there be no Misunderstanding about It
and no chance for the Radicals to raise
doubts by which they can mislead the
people. What this platform shall be, It
is not necessary Just now to formally say