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

election, and OF the policy which he
thinks necessary to secure Democratic
.or Liberal Republican triumph. Mr..
Lamar is widely known for his ability,
eloquence and patriotism. He has made
a study of the situation, after enjoying
tho 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 1iscouraging
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 it ON elaborate and pervad-
ing attention, and to concentrate upon il
all its influence, but cannot do rs much
in general canvass. Upon the subject
of the next Presidential election, MI. La
mar asserts his knowledge that
There Is an overwhelming majority
'H.galnst the Administration in the coun-
>sry: do not imagine, though, that this
majority is within the ranks of tho Demo-
r cratic party. It exists, under different
trolled by distinct influences. On the
: one issue of opposition to the present
Administration-its centralizing tenden-
c1es, its 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 harmonized
if, in other words, the elements can be
. brought to believe that the points of
union are more essential than points of
difference, the Administration will be
swept nom power on the tide of humi-
liating defeat. a.a. ~ q.
The victories of last full were not
strictly Democratic victories. They were
antiA6ministration victories They were
Mot achieved by the Democratic party as
a party, but by Democrats, Conserva-
xixes, Liberal Republicans and anti-Ad-
ministration men, fighting for the time
snnder the Democratic flag, just rs the
Democrats in the Greeley campaign
fought under the Liberal Republican
flag. They were allies of the Democratic
party-not converts to its doctrines. It
IL all important for us to realize that it
was q triumph achieved by cooperation,
not BY conversion. These allies, though
AAASAAuAy ooAAA w tuc O6uOCIAClC DATLY.
and hostile to the present Administration
are not bound indissolubly or even se-
curely ours. If they are content to FIGHT
the next fight with us, we will whip it.
1T they are driven off, we will lose it.
The great Liberal and Conservative ele-
,nents would like to see the Democrats
in power, 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
'reactlonary' legislation and will throw
the Liberal leaders overheard. I have
already heard point made on the defeat
of Schurz. Now, we are all glad to have
General Cockerell in the Senate. He is
an able and patriotic man, but Schurz
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 He organized the revolt as fur rs
1T is IN his power to organize anything.
Added to this, he was one of the very
ablest statesmen that ever sat in the Sc
nate, and is as pure as he is able Thore
is no man who did more, none who did
AAootAs VIC A1AOoihlb LOWhTuS the
disruption of the Radical party. and the
consequent Democratic triumph, as Carl
:Schurz And yet (they say distinctly
the very first thing the Democrats do
when they get into power is to throw
Schurz contemptuously overbonrd, with
ont giving him even complimentary
rote. 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 NAV
prevent an absolute union of all the
anti-Administration elements with the
Democrats is the fear that when the De-
lnocrats 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 is for the Demo-
Gratis to plant themselves on q 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.
1t is best not to discuss it, this long be-
fore the Canvass opens. I think, how
over, that one can be constructed on
which all Of the elements of the OPPOSE
tion can stand in harmony They arc
determined upon the necessity of turn
ing out the present imbecile and oor-
rupt administration. think it probable
thRt thew can all be oOnyinoad that IN