The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-03
THE NEWS AND COURIER.

contemporary avoids the plain issue we
made touching its illusions to the
"straight-out" Democrats, in connection
with the Hamburg affair. There was
neither necessity nor foundation in JUS
tice for the paragraph upon which we
commented two weeks ago. 1t was q
suggestion to the common enemy, and its
Aagrant injustice was not mitigated in
the slightest by an expression in regard
to the Intentions" of those who are un-
alterably opposed to the policy of the
Nc,us and Courier. The updoubtsd effect
of the paragraph was to impress the idea
that "straight-out" campaign meant to
procure victory through fraud, force and
intimidation. Explicit declarations of
disbelief, after the damage had been
done by illusions Of this character, can
not remove the. effect already produced.
Our contemporary put q weapon in the
hands of an unscrupulous enemy, and it
will be heralded abroad that the popular
understanding" according to a leading
and influential journal in South Caro-
lima, is that the Democracy propose to
elect their candidates through fraud and
force. Such an imputation deserved re-
buke and censure, and we are more than
ever convinced that it was an insult to the
intelligence and an unjust reflection upon
thousands of good citizens in South Car
oIna, who are just as much entitled to
their opinions as the Ne,cs and G0urier.
In common with many citizens, we have
persistently and strenuously advocated
the policy and duty of the Democrats to
put forth ticket for State officers, with
out regard to the probable action Of the
Republicans, and some of US advised this
course in the campaign Of 1874. There
was no Hamburg riot, at thattime, and
what is termed 'the Mississippi plan"
was unknown; in fact, straight-out
policy has had its advocates in every
campaign since reconstruction. Our con-
temporary never sought to remove "false
impressions" by directing attention. to
the popular understanding" in those
campaigns, and it is a lame and impotent
conclusion that there was any necessity
for such groundless insinuations at, this
time. The simple truth, however, can
not be concealed even by the astuteneas
and diplomacy of the Ne,cs and Courier.
The advocates of that policy are too nu-
merous to suit the wishes of our contem-
porary, and recognizing the desperate
straits into which it's fayorits scheme Of
cooperation is placed, these suggestions
were made to impress unfsvorably the
weakened and timid. The people are
determined not to. accept the plan so
graciously prepared by the, Ns'0s and
Courier, and through their delegates will
demand that, as free and independent
citizens, the opportunity be given them
to vote for pure, upright and unadultera,:
ted Democrats, without regard to the
"false impressions" of malignant enemies
or the unfounded illusions of very indis-
Greet friends! IF the Radical leaders
Governor Chamberlain included think
proper to regard such demand as mean
ing a repetition Of the Hamburg busi-
ness, and in this interpretation are en-
dorsed by the whole Republican party,
we can only pity. their stupidity and de-
spise their efforts to stigmatize men every
whit as honest and patriotic as tho best
of them, to say the very least. When
political action is to be gauged by the
"false Impressions" of open and ayowed
enemies, We are willing to retire from
the contest for correct government and
perfect liberty, and leave the field to
those who derive inspiration from their
fears and are not seeking the establish
-L 60 --...k ~,,suo:D1oo