The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-01-08
"THE AIKEN IDEA"

The position of fHon. D. Wyatt Aiken,
our immediate Representative in Con-
gress, has been quite surprise, and the
subject of very general discussion among
his constituents. Col. Aiken has never
had much love for the Northern Democ-
racy, but we had supposed he recognized
the necessity for close, solid and ag-
gressive alliance between the Democrats
of the whole country, in order to success
fully combat the cohorts of Republican
ism, which is held together throughout
the entire Union by the cohesive power
of public plunder, as it has been aptly
termed. Indeed, we presumed that he
was firm and unyielding Democrat,
devoted to the principles of the party,
and are no little puzzled to know just
what his position in the matter is. We
do not agree with him in thinking that
both political parties have outlived their
usefulness, for We hold that the Demo
cratic party represents truly the genius
of our Republican institutions, and its
triumph will not be useless one, but
will mark the return of our country to
the pure and patriotic government of our
forefathers. Wemay have ourpreferences
as to men in this party, but its men are
insignificant compared with the principles
of the party, and it is this that makes the
PAT oao tl.lt should eu5U.=, mi IS
destined 10 triumph Il Gus Rsrlb.ic ',,sts.
Tae contest now is one Of lemYcrat:c
government ol of Republican cent5sii5i-
ton, and 10 such G co,aha. there is no
time u stickie.cper Minor luat,e:s. any
-De-a0c-a. nominated for President viii
be better for the country than any Re-
publican, because she former Wiil repre-
sent constitutional government by the
people while the latter will represent the
monarchial and centralized tendency of
the huge monopolies which are seeking
strong government the better to main
tain their increasing power and influence.
In view of these facts, we think the let
ters of Col. Aiken untimely and unfortu-
nate. They tend to weaken the National
Democratic party as far as they have any
influence, and to produce disaffection at
home. While every aim should be to
bring the whole Democracy into compact
line, the result of the expression of such
views as those expressed by Col. Aiken is
to discourage, if not to disintegrate, the
party. Even if his assumption that both
parties have outlived their usefulness is
correct, which we dissent from, it does
not help Col. Aiken, for it is reduced to
q choice between these parties anyway.
1t is impossible now to organize new
party to run canvass this year. Such
thing has never happened, and, it is
e1fe to predict, will never happen. New
parties have always required years TO de-
Ystop strength for success. The lines
are, therefore, closely drawn, and there
is no room for struggling. Every voter
must either support the Democratic
ticket or give direct or negative sup
port to the Republicans. There is no
chance of bringing in any other party,
and even if there was, Col. Aiken is not
in position to inaugurate it, for he is a
Democrat, and, therefore, in the minori-
ty. He cannot hope by splitting the
minority to also split the majority, for
his influence does not reach that party.
His plan is very much of an effort to de-
feat the majority by disbanding the mi
nority, and cannot succeed.