Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-11-30
Rooms OF THE STATE
DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
COLUMBIA. S. C.. November %. 1882.

| SOuCn SdrOllId OH Cile success WHICH HIteHueCl
I the effort of the Democratic party to elect
their candidates, and preserve intelligent, just
and economical rule in the State. 1t is es-
pecially gratifying to the committee to know
that peace reigned throughout the State on
election day, and that the conduct of the
election, under the stringent provisions of
| wise laws is unaSSailed and ulaSsailable.
With the exception of q single county. where
the Democrats placed no candidates in the
field, the whole State is in Democratic hands.
and six of the seven congressman are the reg
ular candidates of the Democratic party.
There is undoubted cause for rejoicing in
such a triumph as this, especially rs. for the
first time since 1876, a determined endeavor
was made to defeat the Democratic party by
Joining the labors of a few malcontent whites
| to the votes of the ignorant and preindiced
| negroes.
The political campaign on the part of our
opponents was marked by vug gar Virulence.
and by unscrupulouS vituperation of the most
eminent men in the State. The whole DEM
ocratic party was arraigned and condemned
for imaginary misconduct and it was broad
lv asserted. in defiance of the facts or in ignOr
| ance of the condition and the needs of the
State. that the time had come when the De-
mocracy should be removed from power, and
be succeeded by the combination OF contra
dictory elements which animated by the en-
pectation of public plunder had undertaken
to oppose and defeat the Democratic party.
The most shameful part of the whole busi-
ness is that the officers Of the Federal Gov
ernment, who are appointed for the public
service and whose wages are paid by the peo-
| pie, gave unhesitating, unremitting and un-
scrupulous support to the anti-Democratic
candidates. The election fund which was
raised by assessments upon the tens of thou
sands of persons in the Government service
was freely used in South Carolina. The dem
agOgues, who pitted themselves against the
candidates of the Democratic party were Sus-
tanned at all points by the officers of the Uni
| ted States Government, and by the money
flched from the pockets of Government clerks
whether poor or well-to-do, whether men or
women-in every part of the country: Great
as the difficulties of the political situation
were, the Democracy have elected their candl-
dates AS the lawful and legitimate result Of a
Just administration, wise nominations and
liberal principles. 1t is also welcome fact
that the manner in which Federal patronage
has been abused is admitted to have had much
to do with the political revolution in the North
and West at the November election. The
State Committee, however, cannot be ull-
mindful of the circumstance that there is in
the plentitude of our strength an element of
weakness, and that the party should prepare
in time for contest that will be more severe
than through which the Democracy have just
! passed.
| The platform of the Democratic party adopt
ed in the State Convention last August an
nounces, in general terms, the principles which
should be the rule -four political action and
conduct. The Democracy in that platform de-
mand economy with efficiency in the conduct
of bo mt pt 10
bulwark of free institutions, honest home
rule fair trials by impartial juries, reform of
the civil service, the prohibition of assess
ments upon the public servants, for political
purposes, for any reason and in any disguise,
a reduction of the duties on imports, and the
sacred maintenance of the public credit, Ma
tonal and State. Here is the chart for our
guidance, and if our path be illumined by the
declaration that what we most desire is JUS
tice and equality in the State, so as to ensure
harmony and good will between the races, y
and that we look to and work for is an ''indis-
soluble Union of indestructible States" we
cannot 20 astray and shall be proud Of our po-
sition as Democrats and as members of the
party which represents the great principles of
American progress. The Democratic party is
the soul of action. 1t has confidence in man
and an abiding reliance in his high destiny.
1t seeks the largest liberty, the greatest good.
Its object is to build up the great interests of
the many to the least detrment Of the few.
1t remembers the past without negecting the
present 1t establishes the present without
failing to provide for the future 1t cares for
the weak and permits no injustice to the
strong. 1t is the pioneer of humanity and the
cOnservatOr of nations. 1t fails only when it
ceases to be true to itself. We recall here the
essential principles of Democratic faith as de-
ToE n;,,I,&
equal and exact justice to all men, of
whatever state or persuasion, religious or po-
litical peace, commerce, and honest friend
ship with all nations, entanging alliances
with none the support of the State Govern
ments in all their rights, as the most compe-
tent administrations for our domestic con-
Germs, and the surest bulwarkS against anti
Republican tendencies the preservation of
the General Government in it's whole Consti-
tutional vgor as the sheet-anchor of our peace
at home and safety abroad a jealous care of
the right of election by the people, a mild and
safe corrective of abuses which are Topped 10y
the sword of revolution where peaceable reme-
dies are unprovded absolute acquiescence in
the decisions of the majority-the vital princi-
pie of republics, from which there is no appeal
but to force, the vital principle and immediate
parent of despotism a well-disciplned militia,
ments of war, till regulars may relieve them
the supremacy of the civil over the military
authority economy in the public expense,
that labor may be lightly burdened the hon
est payment of our debts and sacred preServa-
tion Of the public faith encouragement of ag-
riculture and of commerce. as its hand-maid
the diffusion of information, and arraignment
of all abuses at the bar of public reason
freedom of religion freedom of the press and
freedom of person under the protection of the
habeas corpus and trial by juries mpartially
selected These principles form the bright
constellation which has gone before us and
guided our steps through an age of revolution
and reformation. The wisdom of our Sages
and blood of our heroes have been devoted to
their attainment. They should be the creed
of our political faith, the text of civil instruc-
ton, the touclistone by which to try the str-
vices of those we trust ; and Should we wan-
der from them in moments OF error or of
alarm, let us hasten to retrace our steps and
to regain the road which alone leads to peace,
liberty and safety.'
\ more forcible exposition of Democratic
principles is no where to be found. When
ever and wherever they have been the guide
Of the party the party has been successful, and
it's success has been honorable to itself and
advantageous to the country.
In the Judgment of the State Committee, the
active organization of the party in this State
should he continued, in order that the Demo-
cratic clubs may be in full vigor when the
time shall come for entering upon a new
political campaign. The Democratic clubs
can now be made political schools so to speak,
in which the principles of the Democratic
party in their practical application shall be
taught and explained. A generation of South
Carolinians has grown up since the secession
of this State, and those who had not seen the