The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-04-25
For Whom, and For What is the
News and Courier at Work?

From the Charleston Journal of Com
mercc we take the following extracts:
In the two last issues, the NcwS and
Courier, in double loaded columns, de-
mands that the Democratic party in this
State, in the first moments of it's deliver
ance, shall adopt ut once a caucus rule.
On Friday it calls upon the Democrats TO
draw tight the party lines, and warns
most earnestly amy Democrat who refus-
cs to submit his claims to such Il caucus,
and who declines to be governed absolute
ly by its action. On Saturday, in 'strik-
ing accord" with its newly found friend,
the Etgctirt Idrcrtiscr, it gathers vchc-
mcncc as it goes, and raises its voice
again and cries: GAS the AdccrtiScr
says, we must caucus for nominations,
caucus for measures, caucus for every
thing, as they do in Congress-"
As we do not intend to take part be-
tween the worthy gentlemen, in the cleo
ton of any one OF whom W. would re-
ioice were it not that by his advancement
others equally worthy must necessarily
be put aside.
In curious contrast arc the opposite
columns Of the NemS und Courier Of Fri
day morning. In the one column is Gov
ernOr Halnpton's speech at the City Hall,
in which he so earnestly appeals to our
| people, white and colOred, lone and all
to forget for awhile at least all about pol
tics, and devote themselves to the mate
rial interests of the State" in which he
says again, 81 don'tNwant you to become
Democrats or Conservatives, / only want
YOU to forget all about politics. In the
other column, the editor OF that journal
SAYS, "drdW tight the party lines"
1t is wcll-knOwn that Governor Tamp-
ton desires the election Of Judge Willard
as Chief Justice, and many earnest Dem
ocrats think it Judge Wizards due. We
express no opinion, but draw tight the
party lines, as the Nems advises, and at
once exclude consideration Of views
which arc entitled to respectful attention,
if not from their own weight, yet surely
from the source whence they cmanatc.
The questiOn---we use the term "ques-
ton" Observation-Disclosures or not to vote
for Judge Willard, is Il grave one, upon
which honest men, even though they be
Democrats, may differ, but about which
every one should act on his W individ-
ual responsibility without the shield Of n
caucus. The people arc prepared to ac-
ccpt the result of all open and fair discus
sion of the question, but they want no
&c aucusing' upon it.
On the Meas und C0uricr's w show
ing the question is not now between, vico
and corruption, on the one hand, claim
ing office underline Republican name, and
on the other honor, purity and learning
under Democratic auspices. "Thcre
would be no danger" it says, ''of the
election Of a Wright or Whippcr." The
only names suggested or possible Of cleo
ton aS Chief Justice are those of some of
our own people, together with that of
Judge Willard, who it cannot be said is
ignorant or corrupt.
Again, we say, among the names Of our
many friends, we have no such choice rs
would induce us to advocate his special
claim in these columns for the position
of Chief Justice. But VIC wish to oppose
as emphdticatly as the NemS anil Courier
approves the proposition "tO do rs Con-
grCSs does" We believe the caucus Sys-
ten to be incompatible with proper con
sidcration of public affairs, a nd ruinorls
to safe and wise legislation. We believe
it converts the Legislative hall from a
council chamber of statesmen into a low
den Of d~elnagoyues. We believe that it
DESTROYS the individual responsibility of
the representative, and that it is the cover
Of untaithfulncss and corruption. But
apart from all these high considerations,
we protest against giving over he votes
of the low country, now so opportunity
possessed, into the control of those whose
interests may not he ours. We call upon
the Representatives from Collcton III par
~ticular, but also upon all who have the
true interests of the State---Of the 'rhnfc
&dte---at heart, to refuse to go into any
such caucus, even though directed to do
so hv the EHarieSt0n INcWS and Courier
and the Etig,yicld 4drcrtiser.