The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-08-03


TIM REF0RM mOvEMRNT TAKINQ
ROLD:OY >En0 M1AH0RS-THR UP
COUNfRY INA aLAzR or BNT1AU.
sIAsM-sUMTRR, ,MOy1NGi
! Our, State exchanges TEEN with ao-
counts Of enthusiastic Reform meetings,
and notes Of preparation for the oom~
ing struggle with tho "Riug Of Corrup.
tion" that now rules the. State, and is
seeking, BY unrighteous means, to &C.
cure an extension Of its lease Of power.
In almost every county the. good and
honest people, white and black, and
without regard to party, are organising
into Township aud county Clubs, and
the movement, put on foot only few
weeks ago, is already gathering its
thousands iu evory part of the State.
The apatbstio are being aroused, the
doubtful strengthened, the wavering take
position, and rallyiug point has been
established for all who favor honesty
and equal rights and justice to all.
A breeze comes down upon US from
the mountains, laden with tho breath Of
enthusiasm. Judge CARPENTER and
Gems. BUTLER aud KERsHAw and other
noble spirits are there, and the people,
white aud black, flock to hear them by
thousands, and hill side and valley re-
sound with their enthusiastic shouts
in behalf of equal rights and. honest
government. This is no enthusiastic
writing, but simple statement of the
facts.
So far, at Anderson, Piokens, Wal
halla, Pendleton and Greenville, large
and spirited meetings have been held.
Bands of music and crowds have follow
ed the distinguished speakers from one
point to the other, and the indications
are that the Uuion aud Reform Party
will sweep the upper counties of tho
>tato by overwhelming majorities. The
oampaigners are speaking daily, eucoun-
tering an amount of labor aud exhibit.
ing spirit which has never before been
equalled in political canvass in this
State. They will gradually move on
down to the middle and lower portions
Of the State, and ahead of them will
come the wave Of enthusias Let us
get ready to throw ourselves on its
bosom, as it rolls on down to the sea-
shore.
Many Of tho negroes ore already join.
ing the movement, and on the broad
ard liberal platform which it honestly
presents, of equal rights and equal dis.
tribution of representation and Office,
hundreds and thousands more will come,
even during the present canvass whilst
for the time to come, the party must
continue to grow in favor with the COL
orcd man, until, with the honest of both
races united, it shall grasp the govern.
ment of the State and bring again peace,
honesty and prosperity. This platform
is tho only basis upon which
an adjustment Of present diff.
oulties can be accomplished, and COM
prehensive look out upon the political
prospect Of the whole country, brings to
view unmistakable signs that it will be
the successful position of the next Pros.
idential struggle.
We notice, with pleasure, marked in
dications that the movement is rapidly
growing in favor with the good people
Good and honest men cannot
and will not long hesitate, (Which Of
the two to choose" The purpose to
support Judge CARPENTER and Gen.
Butler is now generally proclaimed,
aud we doubt not that Sumter will rally
with as much enthusiasm as any other
county Of tho State. 1t has bcen said,
VIC are told, by Gov SCOTT, that Sumter
Is more loyal to him than other parts of
the State. The failure to 60 into the
June Convention somewhat strengthen.
ed that opinion, outside. The failure to
rally to the Reform Party now, would be
almost con6rma:ory Of it. We believe
hat our people are true as steel, and
hat their standing aloof, up TO the
present time, from the movement, has
been no indication Of thoir leaning to
he corruptionists.
We now call upon them to take hold
NTH spirit. Thore must be organiza.
lion. Without this, we oau WELD no
effective power. Let eaoh Township
proceed to organize its "Union Reform
Club" Let tho officers Of these clubs
% composed of an equal number of
white and oolored citizens. If possible,
he organization should be complete
before the 8lst Of August, when the.
great Mass Meeting will bo hdA, at