The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-04-13
THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVEN.
TIOE.


cratic State Convention will meet in
Columbia for the purpose of electing
delegates to the National Convention,
and to take such further action as the
Convention may deem proper and neces-
sary. Among other things which will
claim the attention of the delegates, the
reorganization of the State Executive
Committee will demand wise and con-
siderate action. The ablest, tfuest and
strongest men to be found in the State
ought to be selected to conduct the ensu-
ing campaign, which will require astute-
ness and executive talent of the highest
order to give shape to the conduct of the
campaign, and bring victory to the Dem
ocratic standard. In point of fact, the
Democracy has never enjoyed close,
thorough and compact organization in
South Carolina, and there are many diff
culties to encounter in training and dis
ciplining an army of voters, whose indi-
viduality has been maintained to large
extent under the partial organization
and Intellectual resistance heretofore
made against the Republican party.
The truth is apparent, however, that the
organization now in progress all over the
State indicates greater thoroughness and
compactness than ever before, and the
measure of success already attained in
this regard will render the work of the
State Executive Committee comparative
ly light and pleasant. We have every
confidence that the State Convention
will act wisely and discreetly in the selec-
ton of gentlemen to perfect measures
for the ultimate triumph of the Democ-
racy. Upon this choice will largely de-
pend the destines of the State, for inefi-
cheney, inertness and indifference in the
discharge of the trust which will be COM
mitted to them will surely bring defeat
and disaster.
AS to what further action will be
necessary at the State Convention, we
have decided conviction that the busi-
ness of the delegates is to restrict their
action into the narrowest limits. 1t is
too early to venture upon shaping a
policy for the party, although we have
the most positive views in regard to the
proper policy, when the time arrives to
take position from which we are not to
recede as a party, under any circum-
stances. We do not share in the belief
that aught of harm has been done by free
and untrammeled discussion of this sub
ject, for the unrestrained expression of
opinion from newspapers and public men
Will serve to shed light upon our condi-
ton as a State, and enable the masses to
direct understandingly future move
ments. Among the greatest needs of
this State is the dissemination of politi-
cal information, and the enlistment of
the property-holders in an active and
jealous endeavor to rescue their State
from the clutches of rapacious adventu-
rers, whose efforts to keep political con-
troll have been unintentionally aided by
apathetic conduct on the part of the
more substantial citizens. We need dis
cussion of every measure and every phase
of policy intended to benefit the State,
and there can be no valid reason for
sitting argument or postponing reflection
upon grave issues which are certain to
demand solution in the near future. In
deed, so far from the discussion as to
straightout nominations or a fusion with
any portion of the Republicans being
premature, we are convinced that more
time is necessary for the proper elucida-
ton of these plans, and hence we favor
the State Convention pretermitting any
definite action until later day, by which
the people will be allowed ample time in
every portion of the State to express
their matured judgment upon the issues
of the approaching campaign.
1t is unnecessary to reiterate our pur"
pose to sustain whatever policy may be
determined upon in this campaign,
whether it is deemed wise to enter again
upon the fusion plan or to make a strict
party fight. Our preferences are we'll
known, and have not been hid under a
bushel. We are firmly of the opinion
that the time for compromise and coali-
ton has passed, and that the citizens Of
South Carolina arc not to expect sound,