The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-11-18
Shall the Conservatives Organize ?

IhlS qucStlOn mas eHSdSeu Ii!e aecen
ton of almost every paper in the State
for some weeks past, and while all agree
that it is essential for the Conservative
party of this State to be thoroughly Or
ganized, some seem to think that an i'm
mediate organization is not only unneces'
sary but might do. harm by creating q
suspicion in the minds of the Indepen-
dent Republicans that we intend to do
something, they know not what, injuri-
GUS to them. 50.
The Charleston Neus and Courier, in
its usual dictatorial style, has issued five
articles of faith for the adoption of the
Conservative party throughout the State.
The I'd article reads:-"Immediate Or
ganization deplorable," and gives as the
reason for this belief, that experience
shows that, with proper efforts, the Con-
servative party can be organized IN TWO
or three months" 80,
Experience has taught US very differ
ent lesson. Nothing has done so much
to distract and weaken the Conservative
party in the upper Counties of the State,
at the ballot box, as hasty, and, as a con-
sequence, inefficient organization.
Particularly has this been apparent in
the Congressional elections. We honest
ly believe we have lost Conservative
Congressman from no other cause than
want of organization and not giving our
candidates sufficient time to thoroughly
canvass the District.
While Charleston has gained few
members in the State Legislature, by the
coalition and "wait and watch" policy OF
the Meors and Courier, it has caused the
loss of fully as many Conservative mem
bers from the upper Counties, so that the
State at large has gained nothing. By
that policy we are losing strength at
every election. We pretend to oppose
the Republican party, but voluntarily
put ourselves under its care and guidance,
only asking that few crumbs from their
political banquet may be thrown to
Charleston, in return for the conciliation.
Last wear Union lost o Conservative
member by the coalition policy, and we
refer our readers to the able article on
our first page taken from the Anderson
Hutelyqencer, to show how much mischief
the same policy. has done in that. County.
The upper Counties of South Carolina
are growing in Conservative or Democrat
ic strength, and, rs Governor Chamber
lain said in his Greenville speech, the
leaven of honesty and reform must come
from there. The tendency of the negro,
or Republicap vote is from the upper
Counties to the lower Counties of the
State, consequently while the bargain
and sale policy of Charleston is gain to
that County, in Conservative influence
in the Legislature, the adoption of that
| policy in the upper Counties is not only
a loss to them. of conservative strength
in the Councils of the State now, but
prevents the party from advancing for
| future permanent conquests. -.
The idea that the organization OF the
Conservative party, at this time will have
a tendency to prevent an alliance with
some wing of the Radical party is pre-
posterous in theory and too absurd to be
put in practice.
If there are any important numbers OF
so-called independent republicans" who
honestly wish to cooperate with us TO
secure an honest and economical govern
ment for South Carolina, what greater
/ inducement could we offer them than a
well organized, we'll drilled army Of Co.
600 voters to assist them. Those very
republicans have been educated in the
| school of we'll organized political par
ty, and they have no faith in party
that is not thoroughly organized, conse-:
quently they are not likely to come to US
| ,,nf,l Al a1r coa W. ORGANIZED.
| 1t is time the Conservative citizens of
i the upper Counties begin to act for
themselves, and independent of those
irretrievably republican Counties in the
lower part of the State. The Conserva-
| tive strength of the State is in the up
per Counties; but if we continue the
coalition and temporizing policy hereto
fore adopted, we cannot increase that
strength, but will retrogade and ultimate
ly be dragged into the republican ranks.
TO such an end, it seems to US, the Neaos
and Courier and those who follow Its
lead are leading US.
| The Ne,os and Courier we fear has en-
| yeloped itself in the belief that Charles
ton is the State, and we are sorry to find
many papers in the upper part OF the
State falling into that same obsolete idea.
| We say the tactics that have been sue
cessful in Charleston are ruinous to the
4 upper Counties and result in no advan-
| tage to the Conservative party through
out the State. The coalition doctrine is
dead as hector in this County, Anderson
and Spartanburg, and will be in some
I, other Counties in few years; and then
in those Counties the Democratic vote
will become permanent majorities, while
in Charleston the youngest. child now
living will see no change in ITS political
j status. At every recurring election there
the Conservatives will have to trade with
the Republicans to secure a chance toI
representation. in the State, County and
4 City Councils.
The upper Counties demand the imme-
i diate organization of the Democratic
! party. In this Congressional District
i particularly, it is felt to be necessary
! we can elect Democratic Congressman
! if we have time to thoroughly canvas tol
/ it.' We have lost two elections tor the
I want of time for our candidates to make
: themselves known among the people, anc
we see no sense in committing the same
, foolish error, merely to secure to Charles
: ton q Conservative representation IN tht
), State Legislature, particularly when 1t Il
so apparent that there is nothing to bt
!! gained to the party throughout the State
BY such policy. -. :, -. =.
We cannot see where the Democratic
party has gained by coalescing with RI, Re
r we should not at once take an indepeen1
dent stand and organize, without consid
) ering whether it will please the Repub
lican party, or any wing OF it, or not
/ Union Times. !,
BE just-because equity sustains tn
: human race. rt -
, Be good-because goodness enchaln
hearts. 81, ;,
Be indulgent-because, feeble thyseh
thor sbou16et hear with the feebleneSS o