Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-04-10
Democratic State Ce2Eention.

In compliance with previous call, tsaye the
Phrnir,) a general Convention Of delegates ,
from the several Democratic Clubs Of THE State
met last night, at Z o'clock, i'll Caisthenlc HALL
On motion Of Col J. r. Thomns Can. John 5.
Preston wa. called TO the Chair, aud Aessrs.
James G.. Gibbes aud r. G. Shiver requested 10
act as Secretaries.
On motion, tho delegates from the several
Districts wero requested to present their ere
dentials 10 the Chair; which was done. The
following delegates from Abbeville enrolled
theis names:
D. Wyatt Aiken. A. Burt, j. A. Lelanl. W.
X. Blake 3 z Hsrndou, +. A. Connor. Il. A.
Griffin, J. X. Vance, James Rodgers, J. N.
Young, J. NJ. Lattimcr. L. d. Merrimsn. Gil
lam.
elected permanent President, and General Jns.
Chesnut, Hon. B. +. Perry, Gen. John S. Pres
ton, oolonel J. ID. Blanding and Simeon Fair,
we're elected Vice-Presidents.
Before assuming his seat, the President said:
GESrLEMEN OF TIE CoNvENToN:-
Allow me TO return to You my very sincere and
cordial thanks for the compliment, you have !
conferred upon me this evening. To preside |
in an assembly Of South Caronians, Mt any |
time, but especially at an occasion like the
present, is an honorto which just pride cun
not be inssnsible.
l shall not, gentlemen, recite to you the
thrilling story Of the past will not recount
eur reverses and our losses They have been
weighty, and they are sud. Let me say only,
that we have lost great cause. and We have
lost our ancient and our cherished principles.
We have met this evening for the noblest Oh
jects that appeal to the heart. or the under
s!an'ling-objeots worthy Of the statesman nnd
the phlanthropist. We meet to hold grave
deliberation tesching the welfare and the hap
piness Of two races. We meet 10 remove from
dom and statesm snship can save. But must
not indicate, and will not anticipate the pol
icy you may adopt can but assure you Of
my earnest wishes that your deliberations may
lie successful.
A paper was then presented by Gov Terry,
proposing that the Convention unite with the
Democratic party of the North; that it send
delegates to the National Convention in New
Ysrk, ON the 4th of July, urgsng the people to
vote against the Constitution, SC.
The Convention then adjourned.
The Democratic State Convention re aseem-
bled at IL o'clock, yesterday, Hon. A. Burt in
the chair The proceedings were opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr.. Young The journal Of
the previous days proceedings were read aud
confirmed:
On motion Of Gen. Preston the Presidents
and members OF Democratic Clubs present. were
requested TO take seHts on the floor Of the house.
On motion. the reporters for the press were
invited to eests.
Col. J. p Thomas, Ca,airmaa Of che Commit
tee of Ten, read tie report Of the Committee o'
business. which, utter some discussion was
adopted:
Whereas, in the opinion of this Convention
the interests both Of our State and our common
country imperatvely demand the union OF al
good, wise and conservative men, under th,
banner Of the National Democratic party-t
party faithful TO the principles Of the Fedora
Constitution, as maintained by the fathers Of tn
Republic; be it, therefore,
Resolved. That the Democratic party Of Sout
Carolins do unite with the National Denocra, j
party Of the country, and hold thcrnseIve
ready. under the Constitution and laws, TO CO
operate with that organization in all principle,
aud in all measures, that may be regarded cor
.ducive to the interests of the whole country All
OF ell classes Of the people.
Resolved, That the people Of this Stale. in
cuding all men prepared to act with tho party
do earnestly invited to form Democratic clu,
iu every section Of the Stale.
GesoLed, That tile people Of this Stale
urgsntiy recommended TO 80 to the polls ar
soto sgainst the Constitution OF the radical fac
%ion lstslJ promulgated IN Charl ston, and
vote Tor good aud true neH for all offices with
shsir. gift. Al ths Same time in voting for off
Hers under this Constitution, would put
record our prokest aRxinst it's validity.
Resolred, That under lhe action Of the Sta
Of South Carnlius, herstotere taken: We recnl
nize the colored. populatioq of the s'State ns
integral element Of tte body polite; aud,
such. 10 person aud property. entitled IN a +,
md Ivy And shs % a. citizens s 'et oe sess" Car
Iina, We declare OUT Willingness when ha
ths power, TO grant them. under pepper qua
hc.tlons as 70 property and intelligence,
night OF suffrage.
RrsolVed, That a committee Of FIVE be appoi
cd by the Chairman 10 nominate State Cent
Executive Committee. consisting OF seven me
l.srs; 4 majority OF whom shall bo residents
Columbia.
.h'e'ole.d. That the Chairman sPpo;rt Co
Eait,es 81 Five to no.s1uste to this Convent
suitAhls persons--two delegates at large God
tnesu each Congressional Dstrict--te repres
shs Democratic party Of .hs State in the h
tisnal Democratic Convention, tp he held in
'aiiy ofNe~ York. ON The 4tl, Of In1y next
that the State Central Executive Committee
authorized 10 fiji such vacancies as NAY Occur
Resolrrd, Jurthes. That tie State Cent
Executive COMMITTEE issae. through the pr
such docum-ntsa as be deemed conducive to
purposes proposed Ivy this Convention.
Before considering this report. it was S
Essted that the various phpers submitted to
Committee be read 10 the Convention. VIII
Hpon Gov Perry, Col. Blandi"g and Col. I'll
AZ read those papers and, on motion.
*rsre referred 10 the Executive Committee
be revised and published at ts- earliest
practicable. These able documents. it is
airved. will be in print ear:y next week.
Tie report OF The Cominittee ON Business
READ by sections. An animated and interet
Alsbals ensued. Mr.. Aiken objected to
Ahird section, indefinite and really ineo,
tent. He was unwilling 10 vote for officers
der m unconstitutional provision. The Sc
he declared impracticnhle and invalid.
Colonel Thomas replied. 1t was DEF
amportaht to insert this section, III orje
hiring out the strength Of the white vote il
State. But suggested. that in thus voting
enter our protest against the entire procer
Col. Aiken accepted the suggestion, and
following amendment was added: /" Bu
the same time. enter our solemn p
sEainSt its validity"
Col. Aiken objected. that the fifth reso
diA got go far eaougt Let The colored
KNOW what he had TO expect; give him
thing tar gibls. Add to the resolution. Il
due time no shall have partial suffrage.
Gen. Chesnut stated that this section
eone debate in the Committee RooHa.
Sheught the gentleman from Abbeville
right. We should say that the coored IT
made " understand that hereafter lie sl,pl
qualified suffrage. He also thought IL
military parlpnce, it would be necessary
sept the 'African auxiary."
iion. b. F. Perry said he believed it "
solutsly necessary TO the peace and order
eist$ that asais class OF people who hai
slsssted, sbosid be permitted 70 vote
7.&mpestAos 70 sneoarag getheH, they would {