The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-08

10 tne August ColfeLllou' Oii lio wi!
trary we look upon it as almost provi
Dental, certainly as conducive to the
success we achieved, and the unity of the
people, which led to that success. Prior
to the August Convention there was q
great diversity of opinion as to the best
policy to be pursued by the Democratic
party of the State. The difference was
not confined to widely separated sections.
but it was seen and felt in the same coun.
ties and in the same neighborhoods. All
felt the absolute need of change but
differed as to the best mode to secure it.
The press of the State was no less divided
in opinion, and was classified as extreme,
conservative and fusion, according to the
leading views of each journal The old
political leaders and trusted men of the
past divided in opinion. While this was
true, the people at large, the heretofore
leaders, and the press of every shade OF
conservative opinion united on one great
and leading idea, to wit, the paramount
Importance of organization. Before any
policy was defined for the State, the
press, including the Nea0s and Courier,
day after day drilled into the people the
then abstract idea of organization. The
very different views of ultimate policy
entertained by the press enabled it to
drill this idea into the minds of fusion
lists, conservatives and straightouters,
which perhaps could not have been ac-
complished had a policy of any kind
then been adopted, or even universally
advocated by the press.
The next leading idea impressed on
the people was, that when organized
they should stand together, as one man,
upon whatever policy the State, in con-
vention, might ultimately adopt. No
journal advocated these ideas more siren.
uously and more ably than the Ne,cs and
Courier and other journals, then dubbed
as fusionists. These fundamental ideas
constituted the basis, the only founda.
ton, on which the superstructure of
success could be even hoped for, much
less accomplished. The entire press OF
the State united in their advocacy, and
differing in policy these ideas were more
readily disseminated and took better
hold of the popular mind than they
could otherwise have done. Organize
and act together were the abstract ideas
universally advocated from the May to
the August Convention, all matters of
State policy being unsettled and open for
free discussion. Not only the press du-
ring this period, but the best and wisest
men of the State of all professions and
avocations differed honestly as to the
best policy, for which we impute no
blame to any one, but rather regard it
fortunate. Through the process indica-
ted, the minds of the people were thor
oughly prepared to accept and act upon
any policy the Stale, through conven-
ton, might adopt. AS a consequence, so
soon as the convention declared the poll
cy. nominated candidates and adopted a
platform, the press, as a unit, advocated
the policy, and each journal, having pre-
viously inculcated the doctrines of organ
ization and united action in the minds OF
its readers, carried over to the policy its
readers, whatever had been their previ-
ons views Thus, out of this division OF
views of policy came a more solid and
compact union of the intelligent proper.
ty-hoiding element of the State than had
ever been known. We are willing to ad-
nit that the sterling integrity of Gen.
Hampton, the perfect unassailability of
his character, as Union man before the
war, as a brave soldier during it, as a
quiet and unobtrusive citizen since its
close, and as man without reproach at
all times, gave strength to the move
ment. His name was tower ofstrength
to the party, beacon light to guide the
people safely to success, and his counsels
of moderation not only gave US peace
and unity, but robbed our opponents OF
every chance OF successful attack.
AS to the question, who originated the
movement, we answer, the people. From
the days of reconstruction, the opinion
has been universal, that the only hope OF
wise and economical government rested
in the restoration to power as rulers OF
the intelligent and property holding
class. Their interest and State pride
gave motive to desire, and their informa-
tion and experience furnished the Wis
dom to devise good government. The
ruling majority devoid of both could
never giveit. The adoption ofthe straight
out policy we also attribute to the people.
They had tried every expedient likely to
give them relief from the incubus of ex-
orbitant taxation without success. They
had patiently listened to. and hoped for
the ful6llment Of, the many promises of
reform made at each recurring election
by the Radicals, and all had been in vain.
They had acted with the party in the
hope of better times. They saw and felt
they were annually growing poorer and
that their hard earnings were squandered
by foreigners and adventures. They saw
no hope ofdeliverance from utter financial
ruin but in change of rulers, and with
little hope ofsuccess but with the energy
of despair, they determined to try the
apparently hopeless expedient of a
straight Democratic ticket. The adoption
of the straight cut policy was due to no
man or set of men of the Democratic
party, but to the misgovernment and
oppression of the Republican party
With the odds against US, no effort would
have been made to defeat that party had
it given to our people q government they
could live under. All felt it was neck
or nothing. Our existence here depended
on sue, ,ess, or such show of opposition
to misrule as would command better
government from the Radicals. The
May Convention neither declared nor
recommended any policy, but simply
said, organize The people when organ
lied in convention declared the policy,
and the people it was who gave success
to the policy. With due Difference to all
our contemporaries who are contesting for
the credit of starting this movement, we
will say so far as our county is concerned
they had nothing to do with it. Our
delegates went to Columbia instructed to
vote for straight Democratic ticket
and we doubt if either the mover of the
resolution, or one in twenty OF the con.
vention, which passed it, ever read q
column in either of those journals. You
have all done we'll in your sphere, but
the people have done better. Let u:
labor together to make our victory per-
petual. so that our children's children