The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-03
TIE STATE CONVENTION.

TIE STATE CONVENTION.
The Democratic State Convention will
meet in Columbia on the 18th inst, for
the purpose of announcing platform Of
principles, nominating State officers and
Electors fo. President and Vice Presi-.
dent, and to consider such other business
as may be brought before it. This is in
accordance with the action Of the May
Convention, which authorized the State
Executive COMMITTEES to make the call,
whenever in their judgement it was
deemed wise and proper for such body
to assemble. The determination Of the
Executive Committee to hold the Con-
vention without waiting for movement
on the part of Republicans has been crit
icised in several quarters, and the opinion
freely expressed that the action Of the
Executive Committee was premature and
untimely. We dissent entirely from this
viep, and believe that the Executive
Committee has acted with great prudence
and discretion. No nepretends that the
gentlemen composing this body transcen-
ded their authority in the premises, and
the only criticism is upon their judg-
ment.
The large majority of Democrats in
this State are in favor Of nominating
candidates for all the State Offices, iaclu.
ding the Governor, if We may judge from
the drift Of opinion expressed by public
meetings and the newspapers. Then, if
this be true, the question ought to be-
authoritatiyely determined without fur
ther delay, in order to prevent distrac-
tions and divisions in our own ranks
upon the proper policy Of the party.
Already, the dissensions among Demo-
Gratis are threatening and calamitous, and
it is time to put q stop to useless and
fruitless discussion Of side issues. Un-
doubtedly, there must be unity and har-
mony in our conduct to insure the reno
test chance of success. "A State Conven-
tion is alone authorized to promulgate a
platform and determine policy, and the
promotion of unity must come from it's
action. We must have G discreet and
experienced commander Of our forces, in
order to gain the victory. At the pres
emit time, the Democracy in South Caro-
lina is without a recognized leader, and
the gubalterns are differing widely as to
the mode of attack. The nomination of
candidates and the erection of a platform
will unity the various elements, and pro-
duce harmonious efforts to secure the
State for the Democracy. So long "a
this matter is left undetermined, and
every one is at liberty to advocste what
ever policy may best suit his particular
locality, to that extent is the day Of our
deliverance postponed and the causes for
dissension increased. We must do battle
against the common enemy, and not
against our friends!
The great end and aim of the Demo-
cratic organization is to place the man
agemento our public affairs in the hands
of intelligent, upright men, whose char
acters for honesty and integrity will be a
guarantee to the country that we intend
to uphold justice, maintain peace, and
restore prosperity to the entire people of
the State. The Republican party has
signally failed to give this guarantee in
the past, and there is no reason to sup
pose that the future will rid that party of
its Elliotts, Pattersons, Whippes, Moses
and Others of that stamp. They are in
control of its machinery to-day, and will
be during the campaign. The profess
sions of reform made by them in previ-
GUS years will be repeated. They will
unite upon ticket from the highest to
the lowest Office, and will place upon
that ticket the very men who are respon-
sible for our present deplorable condition.
Are we to remain supine and inactive
until they choose to carry out this pro-
grammef Nay, are We to pursue the
distractiug and suicidal course witnessed
for the last several months just for the
qualification of the Radical party, because
there is no benefit to be derived from
further discussion of the issues between
Democrats? Every man has enjoyed
ample opportunity to make up his mind
as to cooperation, fusion or straight-out.
Time has been given for organization,
which was the plea for delay in the May
Convention, and further organization
will not be perfected until the plan OF
attack has been agreed upon. Three
months have elapsed since Organization"
was given out as the watchword, and