The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-01-13
NOTES ON THE SITUATION.
Cogent Reasons for a Straight Demo
cratic Ticket.
WoopLAwx P. O., s. c., Jan. /, 1876.

WooDLAwN P. O., s. c., Jan. /, 1876. :
Editors Of the anderson Inteligencer:
S1Is-Only two plans have been suggested,
or can be for any Confederate State to defeat
Radicalism ut the ballot box, and they aro,
first, by running straight Democratic ticket,
or, second, by forming coalition with dis
appointed Radical office-scekers and their
followers.
Fer several years after the war the coali-
ton policy, or "possumism," as nicknamed
by the Radicals, was the only successful re-
source left the unfortunate people of the
South to overcome bayonet rule, and if the
policy was not originally proposed by Gen.
R. E. Lee, he at oil events cordially sustained
it, and most of the Southern States have
been redeemed by it. South Carolina has
attempted coalition in two or three general
elections, but in such divided, feeble, half
hearted way as to secure ignominious defeat,
where success ought to have been easily
achieved, if the proper steps had been taken,
or could have been taken.
write "could have been taken" because
firmly believe the white people of South
Carolina are incapable Of contracting any
thing like hearty and unanimous coalition
with defeated Radical aspirants for Office,
even to overthrow negro tyranny and restore
the State to the control of honest men. Our
people never knew anything of partyism in
politics before the war, and they are too
honest, too sincere, too proud, too much
devoted to principle ever to largely affiliate
with any section of Ralicalism for any pur-
pose. have hitherto been q strong advo-
cate of coalition, but entertaining the opin-
ion that only n small majority Of South
Carolinians can be brought to practice it on
account of such o policy being contrary to
theii: feelings, thoughts, habits and tradi-
tons, shall hereafter urge straight Dem
ocratic ticket in oil elections. Some may
charge 1t to flattery or vanity in claiming so
much political virtue for nearly half the
white voters Of South Carolina, but facts
justify the claim, even if the credit due to
such high character be awarded at the e1-
pense of reputation for wisdom.
A second reason for putting forth strict
party ticket is, that we have reasonable
grounds for expecting that the bayonet will
not he used as factor to determine future
elections in South Carolina. Loathing dis
gust at the general corruption of the Radi-
col party, and the universal distress pro-
ducel by the collapse of the financial sys-
tenn Of that party, have nearly prostrated
Radicalism in most of the Northern States,
while from one cause or another all the
Southern States except South Carolina may
be said to have passed into Democratic
hands. True, little doubt exists about
Florida and Louisiana, but they promise to
take positions side by side with Mississippi.
The snormities of carpet-bag and negro
rule have not cried in vain to the white race
everywhere and to Heaven for correction.
That cry has been heard, and the palsied
arm of Radicalism can no longer support
such monstrosities. In fact Radicalism has
ceased to be aggressive toward the South.
1t is retreating across Mason and Dixon's
line by reason of desertion from its own
ranks, and Gun soon hold only defensive
position even at the North, unless by reviv-
ing know-nothingism and by assailing Nor
monism, it shall be able to recover lost
ground at home, and while that lost ground
is contesting at the North, South Carolina
can and must unloose her claims.
From now until after the next State and
Federal election, Grant and his party will
have busy employment in defending them
selves before judicial tribunals and investi-
eating committees of the lower House of
Congress. The recent unmasking of Indian
Rings and exposure of gigantic whiskey
frauds iii the Northwest spreads consterna-
ton from the White House to the humblest
Radical hovel- Even if our implacable enc
mics could find time from defending them
selves to assail us, it would not profit them
to continue their assaults as heretofore. The
whites in number of the Southern States
voted for Grant in the last Presidential elec-
tion from choice. Neither Grant nor other
Radical leaders have forgotten this. In the
border States of the South very strong
minority of the white voters were opposed
to secession, and at heart were hostile to
slavery. These voters have co-operated
more or less with the Radical party ever
since ahe war, but still they are not bigots
and have some regard for the rights of the
Cotton States. When united with the col
ored vote, the formidable minority of white
Radicals in Maryland, Virginia, North Car
olina, West Virginia and Tennessee can
either carry those States or hold q close con-
test with the Democrats. In the Cotton
States, on the other hand, the white voters
almost to man are Democrats, and as they
have re-captured all those States for the
Democracy except South Carolina and per-
haps one or two other small Common
wealths, voting only an Insignificant num-
Der of votes in Congress or in the Electoral
College, Grant and the other Radical leaders
seem disposed to take the chances for carry
ing the five doubtful States above named,
and the small PROSTATE Cotton States so
Democratic, if the carpet-baggers and negroes
cannot maintain themselves.
Since the last Congress, quailing before
public Indignation, refused to back Grant in
his proposed raid against the State Govern
ments of Arkansas and Louisiana, he seems
10 have changed his whole policy toward
the South. He seem anxious at present to
make friends in this quarter, and to claim
merit for having made the reconstruction
acts otlious by vigorously enforcing them.
Before his Congressional minions deserted
him last winter, it was apparent that he con-
templated holding the Presidency not only
for O 4 third term, but for life. No other
satisfactory solution can be given of his
having appointed all his remotcst kindred,
ELL his personal friends and nearly all the
,cum of aociety to office. and permitted