The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-09-04
The New Era in Sofeh Carolina.

The addreS Of the Democratic State Com
mittce of south Carolina ought to satisfy
even those Republicans who consented 10 the
policy of conciiiation with reiuctancc. Tor II
rcnewS the generous promises made IN the
last two platforms of the Democratic party III
the State. The race issue is set aside in cN-
press terms. The common interest OF the
people in Il good government Is recognized,
and the committee claims the support OF all
men, white or black, who desire to see abuses
the laws faithfully administering
the p!mndcrerS or the conmonWca!tn
punished. The very fact that the party mas
renominated o Hampton II his aSsocl-
ates Is a sufficient guarantee that these pro,
fe SSionS Of peace and good Will towards all
citizens arcmadc in good faith, for the
cannot be accused of failing in the
degree to perform the pledges which
he made to the negroes two years ago. 1t Is
hardly possible that he should fail to secure
q reelection. He led his party through a
long II bitter canvass. during which every
was vainly employed to drive him
from the policy of maGnanimous f0rbearalcc
and in his success was involved the redclnp-
ton of the State from ruin. During the trinis
and temptations which bcSct t~hc contcSt win
Chamberlain subsequent to the election OF
he was not only the nominal leader o:
the people but their actual ruler. Impatient
OF delay, chatting under insult, burning WIN
the sense Of past injuries, fearlu! or llnpend-
dangers, they looked to him for a signal.
angry word Oran indignant gesture might
have thrown the State into confusion. llalnp.
ton Dor. the great responsibility W!thou
shringing, combated his enemies with cool
skill and restrained his partiSans with quiet
1t Is due to him that the whole
whom he liberated from carpet-bag
dominion should acknowledge the worth OF
services by honoring him with q second
term. The first election was in their own be-
half rather than his; the second Is for his
as we'll rs their own. Losing Few sup
he will doubtless gain many. AS he
has been the sincere friend of the colorcd pen-
they will be apt to show their gratitude
in the only way in their power.
1t is commonly assume by the opponents
universal suffrage that the poor ana lSno-
rant parts of the community naturally array
against the intelligent and pros.
perous. and that the possession of political
hover IS decided by mere numbers. The
Of events in South Carolina will test
that matter cfiectually. There were never
perhaps so many elements OF ignorance ana
poverty gathered into one community WIN
such strong temptations to organize ana so
many chances for obtaining. control OF the
vcrnme We do not think that these
which failed to maintain them
selves when marshalled by Northern adFcn.
and supported by the military power Of the
Federal government, will even attempt 10
rally and strive for authority when they
cannot use wisely. On the contrary. the iS-
norant and the poor Will be apt TO inilow inc
the Intelligent and rich, and the latter, now
that outside influences are OF no value, van
be able to ruleSouth Carolina whether thcy
are in q majority, or not, for there are man!
things in society tina have weight besides the
ballot and tend to control ballots. Not on y
should the intelligence OF n community ruiG
ii, but the intelligence OF a community VIII
rule IL If determined to do so. In view o1 the
peace and prosperity rcigning at the south
since the withdrawal Of the troops Republic
car ought to acknowledge both these conclu-
sions.