The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-02
County Politics.
Editor Orangeburq Democrat


Editor 0range6urg Democrat
Vow that the great Republican
party after oscillating from Imperial
ism to mobism, has finally noundered
anto the slough of theivery which en-
quilted Colfax and holds in its tena-
cious mire the distinguished Garfield,
we may safely leave it to its self: cho-
sen suicide. Having out lived its
= mission having telied every promise,
and betrayed every honest trust which
ApXested it with extraordinary and
dangerous powers, SO nearly fatal to
our form of government, it will be
remembered by its friends for its few
splendid deeds; by its enemies for
years Of misrule, debauched public
service, licentious and partisan ad-
ministration and vicious intermed-
ding in the domestic affairs Of tue
States, The selfsaving power of
popular government will cast 1T off.
and a healthy public sentiment will
mould the policy ofnew the rule.
But in local politics the issues are
not so pronounced. While in Or
angeburg the helm is in the hands of
so sagacious, experienced and astute
leader as Mr.. Dibble, neither fear
defeat, nor would presume to offer
any plan Of. campaign, but think it
wise that the people should have time
to consider the means by which we
expect to win, so that they may real
ly endorse it, and not he compelled to
adopt it at rush. Stated a maiori-
ty against us of one thousand, it is
evident that some extraordinary
method must be employed to over
come that majority. Force or fraud
may win dear bought victory ut the
polls, entailing year after ycaEa repe-
tition OF the same struggle, besides
sowing broadcast poisonous seed,
sure to germinate and produce deadly
fruit. The writer Of this utterly alb
hors in particular the latter method.
and recoils with moral shuddcrings
from vision Of the near fulurcwhlch
confronts him rs its inevitable results.
Force, less debauchery in effect, and
less disgusting in details, is neither
necessary nor wise nor permanent.
No nation can prosper where part
of its citizens are denied justice, no
matter under what prelcNt The
sense of wrong shoulders like hidden
fire, perpetual danger. It but re-
mains then to win by induce ments Of
zeal liberality, difficult but pcyma-
nent and suspicious victory. The
mistaken and mischicvous policy Of
extending immunity to Republican
criminals, or honorable positions to
Republican leaders of pronounced
radicalism and equally pronounced
villainy has neither succeeded hereto
fore nor will be tolerated now. We
must not repeat this folly, but seek
TO win the ambitious young men OF
the race, who ale shut out from pro-
motion both by their party's defeat
and by the instructions Of that party
in the hands Of their leaders unwill-
ing to abdicate. We must really and
fairly open the doors Of prclcrmcnt to
the intelligent and aspiring of the ne
groes but in no case entertain any
proposition from white radical.
We can really destroy honest radi-
calism, by which l mean that of the
masses, only by removing rs far as
possible the real causes. Change of
sentiment in the negro is often sud
den and complete. Race prejudice,
inVincible as it is, is not the wcap
on now of one side only it bands the
white in q discipline otherwise impos.
sible. Upon the disruption Of the
Republican party the negro must
seek new affiliations, and l sincerely
believe we must now decide definitely
what element among us shall control
him. While Our party is yet solid
we may give direction TO his choice.
On a real majority, won by liberality
while in full power, we can build a
permanent supremacy OF the best clc-
ments of society. 10 win by fraud
is to roll up the endless hill the IA
bled stone OF Lysephus, with infinite
danger that its escape frorl our con-
troll and backward rush may hurl 10
ruin the very civilization we so boast.
The results of a different victory
are rich enough TO enlist the best cf-
forts, command the most patient toll
and courage, and repay the largest
sacrifices. Years must elapse before
they can be fully attained, but once
secured, years will witness them RI
pening their splendid tribute to our
virtue and wisdom as a people.
The details Of this propose to
discuss hereafter. DEMOCRAT.