The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-05-25
Ia the Party A Faillre &?
CHESTER, May, 13 1886

Courier.
1t is said Of republics that the existcnc
OF two we'll organized rival partic
therein is necessity, and the neare
these parties are equal in power an,
representation the nearer is the approach
to perfect health in the body polite
This.has almost become an obvious trail
and, therefore, the condition of Soutl
Carolina with only one party is not on
unalloyed heppiness. The Democratic
ship Is becalmed and the sails its useful
ness flap idly against the masts. Each
year. like sailors in calm we whistle
for political breeze. This has been
too often tried, so that during the ap-
preaching canvass it will be hard to
create ripple of interest much less OF
excitement. Sence 1876 the party has
existed in full power and compactly
united, because Of the continued attacks
Of the Federal, Government on our cleo
ton laws; that force being removed, the
menace comes not from without, but
from within.
The first consequence Of having but a
single party. practically without an an
tagonist, was the establishment Of pri-
mary elections to determine the choice
of candidates for members Of the Lecis-
iature and all county officers. including
those Offices the appointment to which
is the exclusive prerogativc Of Governor.
These primary elections are now an
Institution in the State, and upon their
results the fate Of candidates absolutely
dedends, and the general election is
merely used to record the results, and
have the sanction Of the law. All nter-
est is centred in the primary elections,
and the vote is large becanse the candi-
dates must necessarily enter the arena
nt' contest, theii friends and partisans
are aroused, and it partakes of all the
Of an election with opposing
parties. The choice of candidates rem.
dapsd by Democrats at these elections
IS cheerfuily acquiesced in, and, there
ORE they are generally preferred to
At the general elections
the attendan ce and the vote gets less
md less each election for very obvious
'casons, and it will not be a matter of
surprise if some day it is announced
hat ut certain remote polls in the
COUNTIES no one but the managers have
'oted.
The situation Of inertness in which
he Democratic party of South Carolina
inds itself has produced movement
'ecently fraught with most incalculable
langer to the State. il the result had
been as feared. The Farmers, Conven.
ion recently assembled at Columbia.
lnder quite specious disguise, was
eally projected to assail the Democratic
'arty and it's recognized leaders; and it
world have been success in that way
'ut for the fact that the farmers of South
Carolina love the party Of their fathers,
md knoW that sn the absotu,e, i,7'e-
'ocd6te union Of its members depends
he safety aud life Of this State, aud,
1nowing this, they could not be used
or any hostile purpose. 1t is. however
useless to deny the fact that seine of the
itterrnces coming from that convention
lad truth and reason in them, and have
AIKEN hold Of the minds Of those who by
heir votes, will determine the complex
on of the next Legislature, and the
choice Of our State officials. is true
hat the business OF agriculture is not
low remuncrative, mainly due, however,
o its being carried on under a system
If ruinous credit, and to the disasters OF
hree years with the crops.
1t is true that the present machinery
'f government az oranized under the
Constitution Of 1868, so far as the county
governments are concerned, is too ex.
'ensive system for poor people, but
t is not true that the State Government
executive. legislative and judicial, is
'arricd on in extravaganza. 1t is true
hat there is need and opportunity for
and reform. but it is not
rue that State taxation is excessive, but
IN the contrary tits quite moaerate, and
ne burthens OF which the prmers com
'lain arise in many counties-as in this
'ounty-from self-impose drailroad taxes
md generally from the expenses of the
'ounty governments.
1t is necessary that tho na,no..: