The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-06-20
DESERT THE DEMOCRACY.
THAT is The AtViCE OFA OlSGUSTEO
DEMOCRAT.

THAT is TIE AtViCE OF A DISCUS sO
DEMOCRAT.
Hopeless cr Relief Through the Netional
Democracy. Re Advocates Unicn Win
Pepult.ts-Pe cura- Views sr-onsly Sta
ted.
CoLUMB1A, S. c.. June l3-The let
Ter below was published in the State of
last Monday. The State editoriallY
SAYS it is a remarkable letter, still the
more remarkable because 1t proceeds
from lawyer and SSrsighsouS De-
mocrat, VINO is known TO Us as an hon.
est and earnest and conscientious man.
Here Is TIE letter:
To the Editor of the State: The de-
cision OF Congress against free banks
.s sateful turning point IN the affairs
of political parties in the United States
and most particular in this State. The
DEVELOPMENTS Of the past twelve
months have wrought great change
in the views and feelings OF many, II
not most, of our conservative Soutn
Carolina Democrats. We no longer
regard the designation Cleveland De-
mocrat" as proud badge: Inc ougle
call to the defense Of "Naslonsl De-
mocracy." once awaited with eagerness,
no longer could wake IN our hearts
ready response. We are as unanimous
in our disgust with the so.called Demo
cratic administration as we were ID
our loyal enthusiasm for it a year ago.
We have beheld the party's principles
ignored, its pledges violated, corrup-
ton Tor at least sectional and class self
ishness) rampant in some departments
OF government nov presided over by
this time-honored and hitherto much
trusted and well beloved party. at
last we had only the State bank tax
repeal to place our trust in, and we
were looking with alternating hope
and fear as the day approached for the
execution of this promise, which was,
after all, merely to restore what had
been unlawfully taken from Us, but to
return it at q time when it woul6 be
such a re!iet that our hearts sWelie0
with thanks for it as bene6cent gilt.
Alas, bitter disappointment! Nero
6ddling while Rome was burning is
weak counterpart of the present spec
tacle.
AS men, we must do more than re-
pine. Perfdy must be rebuked, be-
trsyal punished, the faithless IN ONCE
taught a terrible lesson. Else what
hope for the future? What guarantee
that political servants will not again
refuse to do the work which their mas
ters have appointed and paid them 10
do? What means of securing the leg
islation which the people decide upon?
What ground for voting for party
because Of approval Of its platform?
What hope Of preserving enthusiastic
confidence ID party or in leadership
$50 essential to q high morale IN the
ranks of an army if the rallying cry
is still. to be that which by sid expert
euce has become inseparably associat-
ed with craven impotence or unblush-
ing treachery? Hope, trust, rednot
fusion of hearts into one great purpose
to do battle against the common enc.
my are impossible to an srmy demon
allied by such leadership, unless it be
completely reorganizsd and given new
officers in whom confidence may be
placed Gf not by knowledge Of its be.
ing deserved, then by the absence OF
knowledge Of its being undeserved) :,
But the peoples condemnation OF
faitbless leaders, in order to serve as a
wholesome. warning for the future,
cannot safely discriminate between
leaders and party, exponents ana tne
thing itself. A party must be judged
by It's performance, and. failing to car.
~ out its pledges, for whatever reason,
should be repudiated in disgrace. The
corruption or incompeteDcy Of lis ser
wants is its corruption or i0coDlpeten-
CT. It matters not that We are palned
to give up our historic party and that
the principles professed in the plat
form are still our principles. The ready
free lance of the independent IN
politics is the best stimulus to
healthful vigilance in pursuit Of the
night path. Any attempt to cling with
affection to discredited party and to
reform it from within, to degrade its
recognized leaders and substitute rev
ones is uphill, unwlse and wellnlgh
utopian. Revolt in the ranks and
stunning blow alone teach the needed
lessons.
Opportunities are not to be Ignored
with expectation of their return. A
party which after thirty years OF
striving and waiting Is given brill
liant opportunity must use 1t or never
have the impudence to ask for it again.
The Democratic party has damned it.
self. No one can satisfactorily explain
the present public course by laying all
blame on leaders. 1t is evident that
its members are discordant ana are
yoked together unity. For those IN
its ranks who adhere to original prin-
ciples, believing that there Is still IN
them life and promise, it is folly to
seek to hold up their standard against
triumphant and entrenched treason.
The faithful should draw out from sur
roundings which, like the Augean sta.
bles, it were the task of Hercules to pu.
rify, and separating themselves from
degenerate companions, should draw
up their line of battle IN new field
and rally to them all free and bold
spirits who would 6ght the hostile gar
rison of the perverted government.
Rebellion finds response IN the
manly heart. A bold stroke for the
right arouses enthusiasm. A new or
ganiZation is instinct with life. IS not
hampereQ With Inc CeaO WelSQI lTelSut
that in time it gathers. Only the wide
awake and dead.in-earneSt take the
step. The slave to habit and the half
hearted are left to burden down the
old organization. The new broom
sweeps clean, and the new machinery
will move off with the perfection in
every detail that comes from the appli-
cation os the newest improvements
without the draw backs of patched work
and cramped quarters. New wine can
not be put in old bottles. The apathy,
the groYe-like administration of many
details that narrowing precedents and
growing negligence bring, the ever
looking back with hardly a glance for
ward, the unconscious individual sub
ordination of thought to habit and au
thorlty, the stagnation and decay will
be left; and by es many years as were