The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-09-06
THE NEW ERA IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Ihe address of the democratic State Com.
mlttee OF South Carolina ought to sat;sfv
even those republicans who consented -
the policy of cancellation with reluctance
ior 1t renews the generous promises made in
the last two platforms of the Democratic
party In the State. The race issue is set
ASIDE IN express terms. The common in.
!erest CT the people in good government
is recognized, and the committee claims tbo
support OF all men, white or black, who de-
sire 70 soc abuses reformed, the laws faith.
FULLY administered and the plundcrers of
the commonwealth punished. The verv
fact that the party has renominated Goy
and ;-.ese-p pr,sro.,saruuy- peuur ~uv.
and good will towards all honest citizens
are made in good faith for the Governor
cannot be accused Of failing in the slight
est degree to perform the pledges which he
made 70 tho negroes two years ago. 1t is
hardly possible that he should fail to secure
a reelection. He led his party through a
long and bitter canvass, during which
every artiice was vainly employed to drive
him from the policy Of maguanimous for
bearanco, and in his success was involved
the redemption of the State from ruin
During the trials and temptations which
beset the contest with Chamberlain, subse.
quent to the election of 1876, he was not
only the nominal leader Of the people but
their actual ruler. Impatient of delay,
chafing under insult, burning with the
sense Of past injuries, fearful Of impending
dangers, they looked to him for signal
sa6Sry word or on indignant gesture
might have thrown the State into confusion.
Hampton bore tho great responsibility with
out shrinking, combated his enemies with
cool skill, and restrained his partisans with
quiet firmness. 1t is due to him that the
whole people whom he liberated from car
pet-bag dominion should acknowledge the
worth of his services by honoring him with
second term. The first election was in
their owr. behalf rather than his the Sec
ond is for his sake as we'll as their own
Losing few supporters he will doubtless
gain many. AS he has been the sincere
friend of the coiorcd people, they will be
apt to show their gratitude in the only way
in their power.
1t is commonly assumed by the opponents
of universal suffrage that the poor and ig-
prosperous, and that the possession Of polit-
ical power is decided by mere numbers
The course of events in South Carolina will
test that matter cffectually. There were
never perhaps so many elements Cf igno-
rance aud poverty gathered into one commu-
nifty with such strong temptations to organ
ize and so many chances for obtaining con.
troll of tho government. We do not think
that these elements, which failed to main
tain themselves when marshalled by North
ern adventurers encouraged by Northern
ssympathy zand supported by the military
power of the Federal government, will ever
attempt to rally and strive for authority
which they cannot use wisely. On th'
contrary, the ignorant and the poor will b.
apt to follow the law of their nature au'
look for guidance TO the intelligent an
!. rich, and the latter, now that outside infu
, ences are of no value, will be able to rul
J, South Carolina whether they arc in a ma
: jority or not, for there are many things II
society that have weight besides tho ballo
} and tend to control ballots. Not only shoul
, the intelligence of community rule i
but tho intelligenc of community will rul
~ itif .daiarmipad 70 do 80. In view of th