The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-15
SILENT PROGRESS.

The State Democratic convention
which met in May did a wise thing in
limiting its action to the choice of dele
gates to St. Louis, the appointment of an
Executive Committee and in urging upon
the people the paramount duty of effect
i've organization. There was apparently
on the surface some little division of SEN
timent at the time on the straightout
question. But it was only apparent. 1t
was due to the apprehension which some
delegates felt that the idea of an imprac-
ticable fusion would be pressed on the
convention. But it prudently kept itself
in the background, and the proceedings
undisturbed by its active presence, re-
flected a gratifying unanimity in policy
and principle.
The course of things since has afforded
an interesting study. The convention gave
out no distinct programme upon which
to go to the country, beyond the advice
to the people to employ the utmost zeal
and vigor in perfecting the organization
of the Democratic party, "with the view
of consolidating every possible strength
until the time comes for the nomination
of State ticket" According to appear
ances, this zeal and vigor have not
eoualled expectations. The counties,
towns, townships and villages have been
content mainly with the organizations
and clubs already existing. This SEEM
ing Indifference attracted the attention
and provoked the unfavorable comments
of the Charleston NeaOs and Courier. 1t
construed it into repugnance to Demo
cratic movement, as suspected of aiming
at something bad, something else than
what it habitually misnames ''good gov
eminent" It made a display and a
taunt over the beggarly one-ffth of the
Democratic voters only having Joined the
Democratic clubs. It did not rightly ap-
preciate the fact that our people act less
than others through organizations; that
constitutionally and by modes of think
ing and habit they are prone to make up
their minds independently and separate
ly. 1t would be mistake, however, to
infer from this that public opinion has
stood still. 1t has responded to the sum-
mons, but not according to the form pre-
scribed. In this short interval it has
ripened into deeper conviction; and what
were uncertain purpose and unsteady
wavering on the part of many have har-
dened into manly resolve and fixed de-
termination to revolutionize the State
politically az matter of self-preserva-
tion.
The starving condition of the public
institutions, the large prospective deti-
cheney in the difference between the taxes
and appropriations, the suffering and des-
titution in many parts of the State, the
uncurbed violence prevailing extensively
and compelling the people to take the
law into their own hands, the unsatisfac-
tory returns of every sort of business-all
these and hundreds of other signals of
distress show that the Radical govern
ment and Radical party are nearing their
end. The News and Courier has itself
unintentionally contributed to fasten in
the public mind the persuasion that the
time has come for resolute action. Its
elaborate pleas in favor of policy which
will lead to nothing, or worse than moth
ing, are set in contrast with its urgency
but short while ago to put discipline
against discipline, organization against
organization, and so drill aud officer the
Democratic party that not vote shall be
lost. What is the discipline, the organi-
zation that it now advises? What is the
use of drilling and offering the Demo.
cratic party, if it is not to work with soul
and might for the overthrow of the Radi,
cal hosts? The people have no need of
and but little respect for a Democracy
which proposes an end so repugnant to
their feelings, and so detrimental to their
interests, as an arrangement with their
foes and the foes of the State. When
they read in the Ne,cs and Courier that
their objective point should not be the
overthrow of Radicalism, and in the
Union- Herald that thousands of Demo
Gratis will be disarmed of their opposition
to Republican ticket and vote for it,
they are put to thinking. And thinking
and resolving they have been, all the
while the Ners and Courier has SO indus
triously argued with them, and the con-
clusions which they have come are dia-
metrically the opposite of those which it
has urged upon their acceptance. 1t
has builded wiser than it knew or intend
Columbia Register.