The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-01
Shall VIC Organize or Disorganize.

Advocates of Governor Chamberlain
who advise that no opposition be made
by the Democracy of this State to his re-
election, never grow weary of heralding
the invincible strength of the Governor
while extolling his disinterested prowess
as a reformer. Democrats are, in short,
invited again, virtually, to stake all their
hopes of reform on q fusion with the Re-
publican party.
1t is threatened, that if we adopt an
Independent line of action, we will en-
danger all that has been gained since
1870. Opinions may differ as to the in
trinsic value of what we, have gained
since 1870, when the Democracy entered
upon the disastrous line of policy to
which it is now asked to adhere. There
can be no questioned but that we have lost
more than we have gained by the Repub-
ican rule under which the interval has
been passed, and there can be very little
question but that we have gained far less
than we would have done had the Demo
cratic party never struck its colors to its
opponents. A small, but compact and
well organized army may hold a far more
powerful army of opponents in check,
even though the lesser be unable to over
come and destroy the greater in open
battle.
If Governor Chamberlain stands for
reelection next fall, he must do so with
the approval of the Democratic party or
without it. If he makes the square fight
against Democratic candidate, his cleo
ton will depend solely upon his strength
or weakness with his own party. If he
stands for reelection without Democrat
ic opposition, though without the Demo
cratic nomination, the history of next
falls campaign can be written from those
which have preceded it. There will in
all probability, be two Republican can
didates, and the one who stoops lowest to
reach and gather in the party vote will
be elected.
If Governor Chamberlain be really the
Reformer that he is represented to be,
the policy of the Democratic party, ac-
ting in the interest of reform, clearly is
to strengthen him with his own party by
giving him formidable Democratic op-
ponent. IF the Democrat can be elected,
we'll and good; if Republican must be
elected it is better that he be Reformer.
In 1870 we adopted the very plan
which the organs of the Republican off.
cials advise us to adopt, and nominated
Judge Carpenter, an avowed Republican,
for Governor. He received at once the
endorsement of the whole bar of Charles
ton, for ability and integrity. In the
canvass he received no Republican votes,
and although he had the support of the
most popular men in South Carolina, ne
he could not get out the strength of
the Democratic vote. General Butler
was on the ticket for Lieutenant Govern
or, and General Kershaw was chairman
of the Executive Committee. Both OF
them stumped the State for him, and
were assisted in their patriotic efforts by
nearly every other prominent man in the
State, including General Conner, of
Charleston. If fusion ticket thus COM
posed and thus staunchly supported
could not be elected, then what chance
is there for success in similar contest
now, when neither the material, the spir-
it, nor the policies of the Republican
party in the State have undergone any
change worth taking into account? Gov.
ernor Chamberlain himself voted for Scott
and against Carpenter. If the great Re
former of the party has found it necessa-
ry to vote the straight ticket, and run
with the party machine in every election,
what more can be expected of the rank
and file. who think the party quite good
enough without reformation? The best
way to strengthen Chamberlain in his
own party is to give him vigorous Demo-
cratic opposition, and leave the victory
to the strongest. 1t is just as well to test
the strength of the Republican party for
once in this State by way of variety
Probably, it is not as strong as it claims
to be..Charleston Journal Of Con'-
,uerce.