Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-08-03

Georgetown, for Adjutant and Inspector Gene
raj. Jos. W. SHELon.
Parties-Cur Duty and Danger
Tho existence Of parties In government is
generally deplorcd, and yet they are natural In
republics and properly directed are promotive of
the highest interests Of the people. Party
spirit is one thing and parties based on honest
differences of opnion in matters Of government
are another and very different things. The for
mer Is the fruit Of political demagogueism and
leads to strife and confusion, its fomenters being
actuated by thirst for Office and personal ag-
grandizement rather than the public welfare.
In the strife any hobby is taken up to forward
personal interests and too often abuse and
vituperation take the place of calm reasoning.
Not 80 with parties which differ in theories of
government and whose adherent8 contend in the
arena Of reason for what, in their judgment,
will best promote the interests Of tho people.
They work good. Not only is truth bcst at
tanned through the medium Of discussion, but
the party seeking ascendenoy is constant
watch upon the one in power, being ever ready
TO take advantage Of and expose errors and in
this way enforcing proper caution in oil matters
Of legislation. They can never be sectional
nor divide upon disputed questions of govern.
mental policy.
Again, parties are beneficial in spreading
knowledge among the people. They lead to
public discussions Of the principles Of govern
ment, the errors and mistakes OF legislation,
and in this way not only instruct the people,
but also develop statesmen Without them there
would be little progress, Stagnation, political
apathy would prevail and subject the people to
danger Of being injured and imposed upon.
There is no greater trueism than that eternal
vigilance is tho price of liberty. It is perhaps
equally true that this is to be found only in
States where some exciting cause has kept tho
people awake and active for their interest.
Perhaps no greater misfortune could have befel
che Democratic party in this State than the
absence Of oil opposition in 1880. Its result
has been to disorganize The party, not by reason
sf differences end divisions in opinion, but
from o feeling Of security. In the tumblng to
pieces Of the party and In the rising Of new
Issues and new parties ils adherents have be-
come scattered and difficult 10 reunite. Con-
stant opposition would have preserved unity
and strength. It Fray serve to create them
anew. Danger Of defeat would have kept our
clubs alive and active. II may serve to revive
them. The work will be more difficult now than
ju 1876. We had then but one opposing party
and It's elements and conduct served to unite
aud stimulate our people to the highest exerlion.
Corruption and msrue had done their worst
aud the iniquities of eight years were the
raliying cry Of men Of every race and color
and nationality who lived and desired to live in
South Carolina, They felt that their political,
n ;oto 81 at,lo
interests Of their families, of their property, Of
their very civilization were involved, and in tho
issue the submission Of years gave place to
wave Of excitement and determination to win no
less honorable than irresistible.
We see no such Indications now as the faces
and actions of our people then exhibited. Where
we do not see lukewarmness, stagnation, apa-
Shy, we meet no less formidable opposition in
local divisions upon matters Of local interest.
The people seem to have forgotten there is any
longer danger from misgovernment. One
favors the stock law, another opposes IT, ono
favors repatriation, another opposes 1t, one is
friendly to and another opposes the academy
and university bills, and so on to the end, their
differences often rising TO- bitterness and serving
to erase from their minds tho Issue Of good 60
vernment. They forget these are each q single
measure, on the policy Of which mon may and
do honestly differ, and in their tenaoity for their
4, special opinions they may sacrifice higher inte-
vests. Men will differ, but they need not divide
into factions. What viii cult one man will
elton be Objectionable 10 another. Rain, for
instance, iy essential 10 our drops, and perhaps
no county or section as whole could agree on
day when rain should fall, even If common
desire could bringit. One would want II to day,
another to morrow and so on. How much moro
likely are men TO differ upon matters Of policy
In government No legislation can adapt itself
to- the wants and interests Of every individual.
To approximate this would require different laws
for different counties, and oil will admit that
laws should be general as far es practicable.
AL will admit, too. that tho majority should
rule In republican government. Whonevcr