The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-07
WAIT TO WIN.


istration of Wade Hampton must be
followed by the early recognition Of
Nichols in Louisiana 1t is true that
there are technical differences in the
issues raised in the two States, but the
substantial political conditions are the
same in either, and the policy of non
interference in the one applies with
equal reason to the other States What
ever misgivings Republicans may en-
terrain as to the final result of what
NAV seem an abandonment by the Ad-
ADMINISTRATION of its friends and support
ers in South Carolina and Louisiana, it
cannot, we think, but be apparent to
any intelligent observer Of political
events, that the sentiment of the ma
ton at large sustains the President in
the initial step he has taken. looking to
the final restoration Of peace in the
South, by the only apparent method
open to the Administration. Disagree
able as the fact may be, it was plainly
evident that, except by the aid of Fed
eral troops, Gov Chamberlain could
not support his Administration in South
Carolina. Bravely and boldly as he
has maintained his cause, it lacked in
herent strength to perpetuate its exist
ence, save by the protecting power Of
the general government. This concu
sion is inevitable, apart from the con-
sideration of the methods adopted by
Hampton in the management Of his
campaign. That his methods were
those of violence and intimidation, no
IMPARTIAL man can doubt Had other
and legal means characterized the can
vass in South Carolina last Fall, the
fact is equally apparent that Chamber
lain would have been triumphautly and
indisputab!v elected its Governor
Hampton himself, previous to his own
nomination, had indorsed Chamberlain.
by pronouncing him one of the best
Governors the State ever had. They
were both before the same nominating
convention. organized by the Conserv a.
,ives of the State, and Hampton re-
ceived his nomination by majority Of
some six or eight votes only over Cham
berlain himself The dictation Of the
old Bourbon Democratic element of the
State alone defeated the latter. But
! for the interference Of Tilden's support
ers, who feared the strength, ability,
and popularity Of Chamberlain would
! bring disaster to the Democratic party,
Hampton would not have been in the
contest. At that time Chamberlain I'M
| doubted Y was the strongest man, polltl-
calIy, in South Carolina. The reforms
he had inaugurated during his term as
Governor, the war waged by him upon
Moses and the disreputable elements of
his party, commended him strongly to
popular favor, and but for the risk of
jeopardizng the result in the Presiden-
tial contest, he would undoubtedly have
been triumphantly reelected. TO Sc
cure the defeat of man as strongly
fortified in the popular esteem as was
Chamberlain, Hampton adopted the
most effective means The Mississippi
plan had worked successfully in the
eradication of Republicanism elsewhere
He readily adopted it in his own name
and that of Tilden and REFORM On
his side were arrayed the intelligent
whites, armed with the weapons of at
tack: on the other the negroes, not
ignorant of their rights, but ovcrpow-
cred by the influence Of local interests,
Oh which their very bread depended.
Sharing the odum attached to those
who supported Chamberlain so devot-
eddy, the certainty of his success trans
formed the man, but recently so adj
mired, into all that was bad. Republic
canism was the offense. however, not
Chamberlain personally. TO crush one
was the certain destruction Of the other
The problem was plain enough to South
Carolina Democracy. Bold, able, and
courageous, Chamberlain, waving all
personal considerations, bore Oh his will
ing shoulders the burden of the national
cause. The latter succeeded after much
tribulation, W bile the former goes down
to make room for his defiant and preten-
tious competitor. Patriotic men, how
ever, will readily overlook individual
injustice, that ri eht and justice may in
the end prevail The President, in a
spirit of magnanimitv and sincerity
towards the South, has accepted the
assurances of Wade Hampton that his
ONLY desire is to establish a State gov,
eminent which, to use his own Ian
guaye Twill secure to every citizen
1.-The lowest as well as the highest,
black as well as white full and equal
"prote elton in the enjoyment Of all his
rig hts under the Constitution Of the
United States" If Hampton is strong
enough and honest enough to fulfill his
pledges made the President, the AID
ministration need have no fear as to
popular support of the new Southern
policy it has inaugurated