The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-05-25

Republican party Of the North, the hos.
tllity of the Federal Government and
the unhappy political complications at
home, the policy of the Democratic
party since coming into power has been
one Of cxpedients intended to be pure.
~ temporary and to bridge over some
present difficulty. In tho General AS
sembly it may be said practically not to
exist the party caucus is gore, the
party lash hangs idly upon the walls ;
and it is has not infrequently happened
that important general laws, vital to the
interests Of the people, have been de-
ermined by the votes Of the handful Of
colored Republicans in the Senate and
House. This cannot longer be. The
Democratic party needs more perfect
organization, anil it must announce it's
State policy on all important measures.
10 meet the present condition Of public
affairs requires bold and not a tinor-
Gus policy. We have no party discipline,
every attempt to create new issue and
new political instrumentalites.
The most vital matter Of organization
which suggests itself is the subject of
primary elections. They have grown
up outside of the Constitution Of the
Democratic party have been adopted as
system by the action Of the county
conventions Of the various counties
and in no two counties are the rules
alike. 1T is clear that the whole sub
jcct should be regulated by the supreme
authority of n State convention to ADOPT
one common harmonious set of rules to
govern them. 1t was suggested at the
Farmers Convention that the candidates
for all State Offices. including tho Cover
nor, be chosen by Il direct primary vote,
and also members Of Congress-. This
proposition involves a distinct revolt
from the system of State conventions.
1t seems impracticable, nay. impossible,
to carry this effect yet the idea has
taken much deeper root in the minds Of
the" pcopleethan many suppose.
The duty is imposed upon the Demo
cratic party to consider this matter we'll
and to announce itself distinctly. and, if
any beneficial changes can be made in
the method Of choosing oul hlgi est off,
cials, to adopt it. There is an evident
demand that the manner of selecting
candidates should be popularizcd, and I |
venture to propose change in that di-
rection. For example 1t should be re-
quired oe the candidates for Governor
that early in the season they address the
people Mt the various Courthouses in
the State, and that the county conven-
tons to choose delegates to the nomina-
ting convention shall not be assembled
until such canvass is ended. This will
bring the candidates face to face with the
people, and thereby arouse public inter
est and save us from dying of stagnation,
which is our present danger. An ami
cable contest among candidates for polit-
ical Offices has become necessity. The
same. course should be pursued in the
Congressional districts. 1t will there
give an opportunity for all the candi-
dates in each county to be heard, and
break up this intolerable practice of
every county having its own candidate,
every candidate nominating his own
delegation to the Congressional Conven-
ton, and every such delegation being
sworn to stick to its own man, resulting
in a deadlock, and resort to that most
discreditable piece Of legerdemain call.
ed the "Hat game"
1t seems to me imperativcly necessary |
that Democratic Convention should
assemble early in July to consider all
these matters of organization. and also
to put forth some decided utterances
abont things Of general interest to the
people. such as education, tho interests
Of agriculture, the question as to the
finances of the State and county govern
ments, taxation, and generally Of re-
trenchment and reform. Such State
Convention, composed not Of represen-
tatives Of a single class, but Of the en-
tire people, backed up by all the time
honored authority and dignity Of the
Democratic party, will infuse new life
and concentrate all the elements Of
strength within the party itself, and,
with renewed vigor, our political affairs
for the ensuing year will DO carried on
to happy and harmonious result.
H;