The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-08
FHE PRIMARY ELECTION.


for the primary election, requires briei
statement of facts to be made for the in.
formation of the party generally. On
saleday in February, resolution ives
adopted by the County Convention ask.
ing the Clubs to express their opinion
and preference as to the mode of nomi-
mating candidates for the next election.
Under this resolution, ninety days were
allowed the Clubs to determine the ques-
ton, and that time expired on the 5th Of
May. At the County Convention held
on the 18th of April, it was ascertained
that a majority of the Clubs had already
decided in favor of a primary election as
the best mode, and when this fact was
made known, the County Chairman
asked for instructions in regard to the
management of the details, particularly
as to the time for holding the said elec-
ton. 1t was answered by one of the del
egates that the Central Executive Com
mittee was the proper authority to
arrange the details, including the time
and manner of conducting the election,
and this expression was acquiesced in by
the other delegates, or at least there was
no opinion given to the contrary. Under
these circumstances, the Central Execu-
tive Committee was called together on
the 18th of May, and the members
entered upon full and general dis
cussion as to the time for the primary
election, none doubling that the matter
was virtually and properly left to their
discretion. Of course, there was diyersi-
ty of opinion and numerous arguments
brought to bear by the several members
some were anxious for an early day
and othe.s were equally desirous for
later time. Finally, the question was
decided by a large vote in favor of the
18th of October, and on motion the action
of the Executive Committee 0as made
unanimous. This motion for unanimity
was made by one who was strenuously in
favor of an earlier day, and it was
thought that the question was definitely
settled. But the resolution adopted by
the Brushy Creek Club opens anew the
entire matter, and would seem to ques-
ton the authority of the Executive Com
mittee to act in the premises. Hence,
we have deemed it prudent to show the
rest of the Democratic Clubs that there
was no disposition to arrogate power by
the GENITAL authority, and to justify its
conduct by the existing facts.
Now, as to the practicability Of the
plan suggested at Brushy Greek, for
every Club to indicate its preference as
to the time of holding the primary elec-
tion. It is manifestly out of the ques-
ton for the Clubs to agree upon any par
ticular time, as their action would neces-
sarily be separate and distinct, and
without the opportunity of comparing
views and opinions. In the event that
majority of the Clubs were to decide
against the time already fixed, the ueces-
sity would devolve upon some central
power to agree upon another day
Hence, it is more than probable that the
Executive Committee would be required
to review their own action. If this be
true, there is no necessity for other Clubs
to follow the example of Brushy Creek,
for the members of the Executive Com
.mittee are taken from every Club, and if
they have not faithfully reflected the
sentiments of their constituents, in due
time this will be discovered by them.
But we are under the impression that The
Executive Committee has truly represen-
ted the wishes of the people in this mat
ter, and we are quite sure if the contrary
is made to appear that the members
thereof will take pleasure in conforming
to the views of the majority. Certainly,
no one has ulterior motives in deciding
the time for primary election, and the
members were actuated by the dictates
of their OWN Judgment as to the promo
ton of the welfare and success of the
Democracy. This will be disputed by
none and conceded by all.
We regard it important to clearly de-
feud and sustain the action of the Exec.
utiye Committee, for the reason that our
friends in the Brushy Creek Club have
given us a dangerous precedent, which
which would tend to destroy and cripple
future efforts for unity and harmony,
which all will agree is vastly more i'm
porsant than the opinions and preferen-
ces of any individual or set of individu-
ais. We must have organization as a
means, and organization is worth abso-
lutely nothing unless the members are
united and governed by certain fixed
rules. Party discipline and party unity
make effective the means OF organization.
Consolidated power must naturally grow
up within these organizations, and when
ever questions are submitted to the best
judgment of the central authority, the
party organization must depend upon
that judgment for guidance and control.
If their action upon matters of detail is
to be reviewed in every instance, it would
be far better to dissolve the power at
once. Hence, we regard the action Of
the Brushy Creek Club to be dangerous
and unwise as precedent, and only in
this aspect would We devote so much
space to the defence of the Executive
Committee.