The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-05-03
THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OF MUTUAL.
PLEDGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC ORGAN
IZATION

lZATlON.
The Winnsboro News and Herald in
meeting an objection made to the require
ment of pledge from each voter that he
will support all Democratic nominations,
makes the annexed forcible argument:
Ihls pledge is nothing more nor less than
ahe famous eighth article" of the Ander
son constitution, adopted by many other
counties. The objection now raised was
heard in most of the counties two wears
ago, when the article in question evoked
more discussion aud feeling than all the
other provisions of the constitution com.
" here adopted, IL. for a long t;mo
kept number Of the worthiest citizens out
of the organization. Independence of
thought had become so general in South
Carolina that party dictation was viewed
with adherence. Every goood citizen con-
stltuted himself committee of one to sec
that the State received no detriment, and
he hcstated to bind himself to any party,
because he feared that others, through mis-
taken zeal, might adopt course injurious
TO the public veal, and he would be power.
less to lnterpose check. But, as time
wore on, the absolute necessity of a mutual
pledge became more apparent, until in those
counties, we believe, in which the rpractieal
workings Of the Democratic organic atom
were manifested, all objection to the eighth
article ceased: 1t is now recognized Ms n
necessity, the saving clause in the consttu.
ton and, in the language of quack adver
ensetes1-..se-p pA.Ay-. hasinsz- -anca. tried il
will ever consent % be without it."
Politics is q matter of business. It has
its emoluments. and practical rewards which
ta ,nto ~, l.
mospherc of sentiment. The Democratic
party in Office differs from the Democratic
party out OF office. 1t is joint stock CON-
pany entrusted with the management of
the political and financial affairs of the
State. In common with other business as
sociations, it must Fave specific contracts
between its members-its mutual pledges.
Selflnterest does not always adjust the
waverins balance in favor of the public
good. Smith, or Brown, or Jones, as a
mere private in the Democratic ranks, with
no axo to grind, can we'll see that bis inter-
est demands the subserviencc of personal
,eniniaas 0tbe will of q MaiorisH. PAD the
same 6mdividuals snsGsdefeated 'onndloa<8.y5F1
ef6ce, or as friend of such, believing that
In some mysterious way he was juggled out
OF the nomination. cannot always see that |
it is better to submit to the will of the ma
jority than either to gather his clans for an
independent contest % else to sulk like
Achilles in his tent, while Agamemnon
grapples in unequal contest with his foes.
Moreover, when no pledge is required,
the friends of any candidate may doubt the |!
sincerity of their opponents, and may be
thus induced to look to outside influences to
an election for nomination that will not
carry solid party vote, is not worth the
seeking But let it be known that every
member of the party stands pledged en- his |
honor to abide by the will of the majority,
and perfect confidence will result The |
fight will be made within the party, and
every effort will be'made to perfect instead
OF to weaken party organization.
Wherever the experiment has hcen made,
it has been found expedient to adopt this
pledge. Without it, the organization is a
rope of sand. That some good men will
not pledge themselves is natter of pro-
found regret; but there ever has existed
the obstinate twelfth Juror. The effort
must be made to bring him over not to lead
the other eleven back to him. Let every
Democrat sign the pledge, and then work
mantuly to secure the nomination of the
best men. But he must not be allowed to
abstain from supporting the party nominee
simply because his man was defeated He
m! :gght do this if not pledged
DEMOCRAT DIsFRA RANcHIsED.-Wedo
not endorse that part Of the plan which con-
faes. sAa election Of the aominces entirely