The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-29
SOUTH CAROLINA PARTIES.
AN INTELLIGE sURVEY OF THE
POLITICAL SITUATION.
Example. Of bourbon Prejudice-T APP
proaching End OF Fusiou-Fair Prospects
Of n Brighter Dav for the Palmetto State.

Example,. Of bourbon Prejudice APP
preaching End OF Fusiou-Fair Prospects
Of n Brighter Dav for the Palmetto State.
CHARLESTON, s. c., May 1S.-In this cor
respondence two years ago the distinguishing
names were given to the two branches Of the
Democratic party in this Stste-the Straight
outs and the Fusionlsts. But It Is very interest
ing to see how many phases these names have
developed. The straieht-outs. particularly, are
divided into local classes. In some Of the in
terior and upper counties their straight-out
principle IL a white mans ticket. They declare
they have voted the last time for a negro.
When they old their little municipal elections
they nominate none but white men for ONCE
They get they say, az many colored votes now
az II they had put colored men on the ticket
Since the pressure OF Federal authority In be-
half Of the negro has been removed, these
strai ght-out victories have become more numer-
Gus.
The effect OF these victories has been a restor-
alton OF confidence and return OF business
energy, which have built up those localities, so
that they are distinguished from the rest Of the
state. Take the city OF Greenville, for instance,
under the southern shadow Of the Blue Ridge
you will see more life and prosperity exhibited
there In one day than you will see In Column bia
In week. Columbia Ia three times as large is
the ptll OF the STATE, and has been the PAM
pered recipient OF the spells Of the whole State
since reconstruction. Greenville, on the other
hand, was one OF the poorest villages IN South
Carolina before the war though. like all others,
steadily advancing. Now, her white popula.
tion have gone to work, her lands produce under
a controlled la0or-more white than black-ten-
fold what she formerly exported ana with her
honest economy, she h b en- able to advance
steadily In thrift and prosperity. Greenville has
always been the Union county OF South Caro-
lima. She IL to-day, with all her straight-out
IDEAS, more national and less bourbon than any
other portion OF the state. In fact, the Straight
HutagOnTod lOufbOns.
Those Straight-outs do not, however, ignore the
coored voter. but freely solicit his assistance.
Akin To these IN some measure. but based only
upon the iinplacable preJudices OF race, are tho
Straight outs who, IN the Episcopalian Conven-
churches need apply" They based their OBJ
1oction upon the political argument arising
with the negro at large. To admit this one
church. ST. Marks, was to open the door. The
large negro majority Of the State would rush IN,
synagogue, and outvote white civiliz ition."
A the Rev. Toomer Porter said, IL was renec-
tion upon white civilization to make any such
anticipation. The white people would be weak.
minded, indeed, N they had not strength to
close the opened door before such a calamity
would be likely to occur. ST. Marks Is a mulatto
church OF Charleston. Its congregation has the
blue blood Of many OF the obIectors coursIng
people. 1t Is stylish In dress and personal de-
pertinent. Its history is good, u has been re-
spectful OF the rights OF the whites, and II has
been more charitabis to the poor white minis
tiers than many otner churches. Nothing but
this terrible fear that what has happened to the
state might happen to the Church could have
Induced tue panic which precipitated this in-
Justice to them.
There IL another set Of Straight outs. These
are the old Blurbons. They are the incest peo-
pie in the world, but they must and will hold to
the ways which brought them power, and they
understand thtt from the present the back track
Is the sttaightout way. The illustration Of these
Is the Preston family Of COLUMBIA. Tho Gene
raj married Hampton. lie was conscrlpt
General In the late war, and provided himself,
from the sale OF his Confederate possessions,
with an Italian villa, In the event Of defeat.
Since the war he has been very bitter against
everything OF the present: He inspired the
passed a resolution this year:
ResoiUed, That we decorate Yankee soldiers grave
The people rose against tho resolution. and de-
mandsd Impartial justice. The association de-
Poop resolved to do IL. The association then
placed their tributes. e irly In the morning only
over Confederate graves. Inc people kept to
their determination, ana over friend aud former
Zoe alike, In the evening, profusely strewed tho
most beautiful flowers. These Bourbon. also
call themselves Sraight-outs.
There is still another class OF Straight-outs
These COMPRISE the reading public, who under
stand the necessity Of combination in national
parties. In order TO carry out any desired end.
Tney are Straight-out Democrats now. because
mat party appears to he the only one which can
or VIII save this state from African barbarism,
or tbs United States from rstrogradng through
corruption into an empire. hose men COM
prise tue foreign element In the state, Germans
aud Irish, who have emiSrated here vi hout any
sectional bias. and who are still imoued with the
than a nionarchy II slso comprises that portion
OF the old WING stock Of south Carolina Reyo-
lutionary DAYS, who have had 70 Yield their In
heritance during the last half century 10 the
sectional leaders VINO ciptivAted The local senti-
ment; by the SIDE OF these, and sometimes
standing head and shoulders above them, are tho
children from the rank aud nle OF century ago.
All OF these iecognizs the necessity of ma
uOnal party. and a common interest to avert the
calamites which the Republican party would
precpitate uoon Us all II unche ksd IN IT. pres
en- career aud they place their hand conn DINGHY
Cfacy 10 save ana be saved.
Here In Charleston the struggle OF this latter
class 10 closest with the Fusioniss 6, another wing
OF the Democratic party. Ihs fusionats have
no ancestral lineage of right descending upon
them. Ihey are payenus, who have settled
down to make money out Of any ruling power.
heir power Is their money. Many OF them have
| misfortunes OF Others. Out Of the tears OF the
| widow and orphan and the sweat drops OF toll
| they have distilled the wines OF their revelry.
| Out Of the hlth and mire of Chambsrlain's ad-
minis ration as Attorney General and Governor
| they would row further distil those results Of
| speculation which the rcpudlatsd aud depre-
GATED state bonds OF those fraudulent epochs
promise se, TO- produce: inese have heretofore
| pie. But tue complete erpOse Of their doings,
printed In THE Sun Of Maya mas driven many Of
them back to an utter Reputation OF all fusion
| ideas. These see the whiriwind, and II they are
| strong enough they will get upon 1t and ride.
The real Fusionisls are very few indeed, and
are becoming fewer every day. They viii soon
pass away, like all rohbet bands.
| The hepuulicin parry Is divided into the
! Commentaries and the negro party with Its ad-
| herents. OF the two, the latter IA actually the
| more honest, has the most at stake IN the coun-
| try, aud should nave credit for better Intentions
! than the former. or tue former you have mad 6
| the record. OF the latter Its recorded aim must
| be stated to have been the making OF south ar.
| olina us good a negro State IA their opportuni-
| ties would permit As Chanberl In must 70
| down before American sentiment as the repra-
sentative carpet-bag robber, 80 the latter, before
| the same fiery blast, must receds from pre-
| tensions to rule over the white race, after hav
| Ing fully demonstrated Its incompetency for
| such undert king, even to the satisfaction oi
the most Intelligent OF the colored people them
| selves. with Chamberlain's plunderng RIM OF
carpet-baggers and their cunfeusTates fairl,
| overthrown, "A brighter day WILL dawn for South
| Carolina and her people.