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


IZATI0N.
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:
This pledge is nothing more nor less than
the famous "cighth article" of the Andcr-
son constitution, adopted by many other
counties. The objection now raised was
heard in most of the counties two years
ago, when the article in question evoked
more discussion and feeling than all the
other provisions of the constitution COM
sshis's--sss t,sre edeptsds si.- for a hong ti,ne
kept number of the worthiest citizens out
OF the organization. Independence of
thought had become so general in South
Carolina that party dictaton was viewed
with abhorrencc. Every goood citizen con-
stituted himself committee of one to sec
that the State received no detriment, and
he hcstatcd 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 interposo cheek. But, as time
wore on, the absolute necessity of mutual
pledge became more apparent, until in those
counties, we believe, in which the practical
workings OF the Democratic organization
were manifested, all objection to the eighth
article ceased. 1t is now recognized as
necessity, the saving clause in the constitu-
ton; and, in the language of quack advcr-
-rssA, -hasiag -anca- tried it.
will ever consent to be without it."
Politics is a matter of business. 1t has
its emoluments and practical rewards which
prevent its ascending into the higher at
mospherc of sentiment The Democratic
party in Office differs from the Democratic
party out of ofico. 1t is a joint stock COM
pany entrusted with the management of
the political and financial affairs of the
State. In common with other business as
sociatons, it must Eavc specific contracts
between its membcrs-its mutual pledges
Sclfintcrcst does not always adjust the
waverlnS balance in favor of the public
good. Smith, or Brown, or Jones, as
mere private in the Democratic ranks, with
no axe to grind, can well see that his inter
est demands the subscrvience of personal
a0niAlaas IA. the will of q majority. Rut. the
same individual nsa7dcfeated candidatS .i5s :,
cffce, or as a friend of such, believing that
in some mysterious way he was jugglcd out
of the nomination, cannot always sec that
it is better to submit to the will of the ma
jority than either to gather his clans for an
independent contest on else to sulk like
Achilles in his tent, while Agamcmnon
grappes 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 bc
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 bo'made to perfect instead
OF to weaken party organization.
Wherever the experiment has hccn made
it has been found cxpedicnt to adopt this
pledge. Without it, the organization is a
rope Of sand. That some good mon will
not pledge themselves is q uattcc of pro-
found regret; but there ever has existed
tho 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
mantully 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 lie
M y5ht do this if not pledged
DLMOCRAT DIsFRANCuISED- We do
not endorse that part Of the plan which con-