The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-09-26
SGEBUHG, s. G. SEPTEMBER 2o. 1879
Tins Charleston Election.

AS the split in The Democratic par
ty Of Now York concerned that State
directly, aud only has an Indirect in
tucnce upon Naiionsl politics so
the trouble in Charleston bears upon
the city directly, but will exercise .
powerful control over the politics of
the State Indirectly. No county in the
State can afford to be All Indifferent
spectator Of the progress Of this Mu-
niciral Campaign and this remark
applies with greater force to those
counties OF orr low-country which
have not yet tried the Primary Sys-
tcin OF nominating candidates. Apar,
from this aspect Of the case, a purely
Democratic government for The CITY
Ct Charleston is absolutely necessary
10 the we'll being Of the State. be-
cauac CT the interests which center
there from every section. Wha,
therefore is for the advantage OF that
city will prove OF benefit to every
county town within tho borders OF
this State and 10 the greater portion
oi the adjoining States. For its gov
ernment to bo turned over TO the
Radical party at this crisis, will be a
cafsmity whose evil effects will be
felt over large scope of our terrific
ry at the next general election, en-
inidvninS thst party in every county
where the colorcd element pre,lorn-
mates. If The primary election, as
proposed to be conducted by the Ex-
.cutivc Committee, had resulted in
the nomina' ion Of candidate for
Mayor who did not represent the ma
jority Of the Democratic party, the
system would have forever failed OF
yielding the results claimed for it by
It's advocates. This more than prob
able end Of the matter was thwar,ed
by. the prompt resignation Of the
chairman Of the committee and the
stubborn opposition to the wild poll
cy Of the majority ty the fe1 who re-
mained Of the minority. IF this ac-
ton really leaves the trouble 70 be
adjusted by the Democrats OF Charles
ton, We hope such measures ill be
perfected as will insure the defeat of
the Republicans, who manifest every
disp osition to make i desperate effort
TO- regain their. lost po"e:. This can
he done by prompt action on the part
Ct the leaders aud determination to
SUPPORT principle rather than persons
ON the part OF the people.
We do net favor the Primary sys-
tenn IN counties where the negroes
are in tho rajority. In other locsli-
tiea It will DO, and is doubtless the
fairest wny OF arriving at the will OF
the people, but the action of the City
Executive Committee shows how easi-
ly it may be made u powerful instru-
mont in the hands Of few partisans Of
mischief and wrong in q community,
defeating not only the will &C the ma
jority but absolutely forcing upon the
party candidates not il IT'D choosing.
Concert Of action by committee rs
in Charleston, or by a few strong
clubs, or even ring Of popular men,
lnay 80 operate and manipulate the
primaries as to defeat the very
results they arc intended to yield.
Managers may be appointed to favor
certain candidates and qualifications
may be required to exclude certain
voters or to admit those who have NO
right to vote. Indeed power must
he delegated by the party to certain
individuals 10 arrange for tic primary
election, and these individuals may
constitute ring As in the case before
us in Charleston. The machinerr Of
the system is too complicated, bur-
dcnsomc and difficult Of operation
for the party as body to make the
arrangements upon principles OF per
feet fairness.
Whenever primaries can be adopted
in our lower countios or anywhere