The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-09-23
THURSDAY MORNING, SEPT. 2s, 1878.
Democratic Organization.

the Democrats or Conservatives in South
Carolina for the next campaign. We
think the discussion is timely, and that
it will do no harm to exchange views in
advance on this important topic. The
present situation of the anti-Radical ele-
ment in the State is by no means salts
factory, and we believe that an effective
and thorough organization might accom-
plish much good in various ways, result
ing in permanent benefit to the material
and social welfare of the whole people.
In fact, there is no time when such an
organization, welded with prudence and
discretion, might not have effected sub
stantial results, and have kept the domi-
nant party in check in the most whole
some manner.
The present outlook shows that there
are various and conflicting opinions prev
alent among the newspapers opposed to
the Radical party, and in the absence of
any expression from recognized leaders,
the press is the only exponent of public
sentiment. Only in active campaigns do
we ever hear from prominent men in
South Carolina, which is in striking con-
trast with the course pursued in other
States. Of course, we allude to the men
who are usually prominent in Democratic
councils, and not to the leaders Of the
Republican party, who are always en-
gagged, in season and out of season, i'm
pressing the public mind with their views
of public policy. In our humble judg-
ment, these conflicting views among
newspapers and this dangerous silence Of
prominent citizens who are fully identi-
fled with the people of South Carolina
results solely from the chaotic condition
of the party organization. OF truth
there is no such thing as an organization,
and it is idle to talk about bringing the
strength of the Democracy to concentrate
on any given policy, so long as VIC re-
main in this unorganized and helpless
state.
1t may suit some persons, and probably
does inure to their advantage, that no
steps be taken to bring together in COM
pact form the tax-paying and property
holding citizens of the State, whose in
stincts and natural afinities will bring
them into an alliance with the National
Democracy. But we cannot perceive
that the masses are interested in keeping
aloof from such an afiliation, nor that
the true intererts of the State will suffer
detriment by speedy organization. On
the contrary, there is every reason to be-
ieve that the greatest good to the great
est number requires close and thorough
understanding between the Conservatives
and Democrats, and how can this be more
efficiently accomplished than by aggrega-
ting the views and opinions of all within
q common fold? The battle for re-
trenchment and reform in the govern
ment of South Carolina is not yet won,
nor are the corruptionists all fed from
the land. The struggle for the mastery
will surely take place, and unless we are
willing to be bound by the action of our
political enemies, and render them e1clu-
sive alteration, we cannot afford to look
upon the struggle as idle spectators, nor
serve as mere puppets in the hands of
political tricksters. We must assert the
right to active and untiring effort in
bringing the State from the mire and
slush into which it has been placed by
the Republican leaders, and in this good
work there should be lasting and efficient
cooperation among the recognized DEM
ocrats. This cannot be obtained by
standing apart, and allowing few news
papers to dictate the terms of co-opera-
ton and arrange the plan of the battle.
We must begin with the people ut the
proper time, and build up an organiza-
ton which will reflect the sentiments
and opinions of the masses, which will
include the advice and counsel of trusted
and experienced citizens, whose judg-
ment is seldom consulted by the ire
sponsible and self-constituted leaders
whenever we arc left to drift along with
the tide, as is too often the case. We
need the services of every prudent, sensi-
bic and discreet man in the State to de-
velop policy which will bring honest,
capable and economical government, and
the surest means of securing their inval-
uable aid and assistance is to concentrate
into permanent organization, whose
chief end and aim will be to rescue the
State from the hands of the despoiler,
and once again make the name Of South
Carolina respectable and respected.
Such an organization must be we'll
grounded in the favor of the masses to
prove useful and effective, and hence
must proceed from the masses themselves.
In advocating this line of conduct on
the part of the Democrats, we are not
actuated by any hostility towards honest
men of the opposite party. 1t may