The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-04-27
The Democratic State Convention.

There is very general disposition
throughout the State to concur in the
opinion, already expressed and explained
in these columns, that the Democratic
State Convention, which meets in May,
shall confne its action to the election OF
delegates to the National Convention,
and to the choosing of State Executive
Committee.
Whatever difference of feeling there
may be about the policy to be finally
adopted by the Democracy, it is evident
that, as early in the day as this and in
ignorance of the plans of the Republican
party, the Democracy cannot afford to
commit themselves for, or against, any
particular course. This is one of the dis
advantages of being in the minority.
Majorities are Independent, while minor
tiles, to succeed, must adapt themselves
to circumstances and shape their conduct
so as to turn to account the errors or
blunders of their antagonists. This is
the position of political affairs in South
Carolina to-day, and the difficulties of
the Democrats are increased by the fact
that, while as to State officers the decision
of q Convention must bind the Democ-
racy in every County, no one policy lean
be devised, as to members of the Legisla-
ture and County officers, that will work
equally we'll in different Counties. The
circumstances of the Piedmont Counties,
for example, are in no manner like those
Of the middle and sea-coast Counties.
What will give the upper Counties full
representation will deprive the majority
of the lower Counties of all representa-
ton. 1t seems to us, therefore, that COM
plete local freedom must be allowed, and
that every County shall make the fight
in such way as promises the best results
to that County, with the understanding
always that the policy as to State officers,
finally determined on, shall be accepted
and sustained everywhere. There is no
reason to suppose that this plan, which
is evidently just and clearly beneficial,
will be objected to- e'"'., =
The Anderson htelAgenccr, whose
earnestness and patriotism we never
doubt, is very emphatic in advising that
the business of the May Convention be
restricted within the narrowest limits.
1t says: "It is too early to venture upon
shaping policy for the party, although
we have the most positive views in regard
to the proper policy, when the time
arrives to take position from which we
are not to recede as a party, under any
circumstances" Nor are we disposed to
challenge its declaration that free and
untrammelled political discussion 3
necessary and profitable. The harm
done when newspapers declare. that,
under no circumstances, will they see
farther than their noses, or accept any
other conclusion than that which they
have reached. This is not the case with
the Lntelligencer, which has always cheer
fully and manfully supported the. action
Of the State Conventions, whether, before
that action was taken, it favored it or not.
So long as discussion is conducted in this
way, and with the certainty that the
ranks will be unbroken when the struggle
with the adversary begins, the efforts of
the Press to cause particular views to
prevail will do the State no injury.
The May Convention cannot be too
careful in selecting the Executive Com.
mittee. Decorative politicians, stay-at-
home statesmen will not suit these times.
The Committee will have much difficult
work to do, and every gentleman who
may be nominated owes it to the party
to decline to serve if he is unwilling to
sacrifice personal preferences, profit and
convenience in organizing and disciplin-
ing the party and in leading it to the end
of the canvass. The Radicals set us an
example, in this respect, that we must
follow if we intend to win. They make
politics business, from the first day to
the last day of the campaign, and so must
the Democratic leaders if the fixed pur-
pose is to cure the public ills and give
South Carolina, at any cost, good govern.
ment dating from Noyember.-Necs and
Courier.