The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-10-01
For the anderson Mteligcncer.
Shall a Convention be held z
Pco1,Zc of .InIerS0n G0uniu !:

The question at the head Of this article has
been brought prominently before the people of
Anderson County for their consideration, by
the timely action of the Broadway Tax
Union. AS I expect to leave the State for
few days, in behalf of an afflicted member of
my family, and may not be able to get back to
attend the public meeting on Saleday, permit
me, through your columns, briefly to express
my views in reference thereto. This will be
pardonable from the fact that my name has
been announced, among others, as candidate
for a scat in the next Legislature, and from the
further fact that the candidates generally will
be expected to define their position in reference
to the proposed action. When my name was
first announced, | could not foresee the present
posture of political affairs in our own State,
and had INDUCED the hope that the Republican
State Convention would have selected as their
candidate for Governor, man whose character
for honesty was above suspicion, and whose
nomination would have been a reasonable
guarantee to the people of the State Of sin
cere and earnest desire for a thorough reform
in our State government on the part of that
body. Those pleasing hopes have all been
blasted by the action of that body. AS be-
tween Moses and Chamberlain there is but
little difference, so far as their official charac-
ters are involved, except that Chamberlain is
the more dangerous man of the two, because
more adroit and possessed of more ability. A
small minority of that Convention are pro-
posing counter nomination, but so far as 1
now perceive, with but little hope of any con-
siderable success in their own party. Hence,
the necessity of a combination and thorough
organization of all the elements of opposition
within the State to the present corrupt and
plundering party in power. In my humble
opinion, in the Providence of God, the time
of our deliverance is at hand, if we are but
true to the issues involved. The great ques-
ton involved in the approaching election for
State officers, and before which all others pale
into insignifcance, is whether we are to have
a good and honest State government or not.
1t is question of life or death to the State.
Let our standard bearers in the contest, not
permit the issues to be avoided or evaded but
press it home upon the hearts and consciences
of our people, in every conceivable form, and
the result cannot be doubtful. On this plat
form every man in the State desirous of honest
government, whether Republican or Democrat,
can stand. There is feeling of unrest and
disquiet among our colored people; they feel
that there is screw loose somewhere that
there is something rotten in Denmark, and if
the proper pains are taken, hundreds of them
will vote the Conservative ticket. Urge the
colored people to attend the primary meetings
for the election of delegates to the nominating
convention, select your best men as your dele
gates, and all will be we'll. 1t is of no conse-
quence whether this or that man is nominated
to the Legislature, provided the men chosen
are capable and honest, and thoroughly identi-
fed, and in sympathy with the Conservative
party, but it is Of vast public Importance that
all the elements of opposition to the present
corrupt party should be combined in one har-
monious whole, to ensure deliverance. This
done, and the State is saved. I can't believe
that q majority of the people of South Carroll
ia are willing to perpetuate the present cor
rupt government, as they will certainly do if
they vote for Chamberlain. Public meetings
should be held in every township between this
and the election, and our white and colored
citizens should be equally stimulated to vigo-
rous exertion for the salvation of the State
There are hundreds of white people who have
never voted in any State or Federal election
since the war. These must be sought out and
aroused from their lethargy. The colored
people, who have heretofore blindly followed
their party interests, must be kindly instructed
that there is a higher duty they owe their
mother State than any mere party obligation.
Let the convention be held. Send your
delegates, as far as consistent, untrammeiled
Give the townships equal weight in the Con-
vention. The object is not All election, but
simply concentration of votes where there are
d multiplicity of candidates. Such has been
the course in neighboring counties. Personal
preferences must all be laid upon the altar of
our country's good in this her hour of peril.
With the action Of such a convention, COM
posed Of our best citizens, shall most cheer
fully comply. Neither by word or deed shall
I undertake to influence the action of single
member of that body in their choice of men,
and in any event, shall only claim the humble
privilege Of working for the redemption of my
beloved State.
Respectfully,
THOS. H. RUSSELL.
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