The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-09-24
independent Republican Convention.

We cheerfully accord space to the brief ad-
dress promulgated by certain persons, styled
the Executive Committee of the Independent
Republicans of South Carolina. Its proposed
by them to hold Republican Convention in
the city of Charleston on the End OF October,
for the purpose of nominating candidates tor
Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and trans
acting any other business deemed necessary.
This address is signed by seven persons, four
whites and three blacks, several of whom have
been intimately connected with the past histo-
ry of the Radical party in this State, and
whose record is stained with questionable
transactions in and out of official position.
Hon. Thomas G. Dunn, who seems to be the
leader of the present movement, is not one OF
the men to whom we refer, however So tar
as we know and believe, his course as Senator
from Horny County has been conservative and
honest. He was elected mainly by Democratic
votes, if we remember correctly, and has usually
acted with the Conservative Senators.
But George F. Mcintyre, (white,) W. Fl.
Jones and w. A. Hayne, (colored,) arc not
composed of such material as would insure re-
form, unless they have deeply repented of past
sins, and deserve forgiveness therefor. Before
placing implicit reliance upon their integrity
and correct motives, we would prefer to wit
ness tangible fruits of genuine penitence for
sins of omission and commission. We will not
enter upon any further explanation Of their
claims to respect and decency, than to say that
McIntyre is the bosom friend of Governor
Moses, after abusing him like pick-pocket two
years ago; that Jones is the turbulent fellow
concerned in the Georgetown riots, and has al
ways been noted for his bullying propenstles;
and that Hayne was openly changed by the
State Treasurer with receiving a large amount
of money for very little service to the State.
So long as we retain our senses, we cannot ac-
cept such characters as our political leaders,
even though respectable names are associated
with theirs.
It is due to truth and it is due to the people
that we should make this explanation, in the
very incipiency of movement from which so
many persons are likely to derive hope and
consolation. But while we express this candid
opinion of some of the men composing the
Executive Committee, we would not be under
stood as denouncing the movement thus inau-
gurated We would gladly accept the fact that
any considerable portion of the Republicans
of South Carolina meant to produce retorma-
ton in the State government and whenever
we are convinced that this Liberal Republican
movement has met with the endorsement OF
respectable minority in that party, we will
support it most heartily, and advise our politi-
cal associates to unite with them in redceming
the State. But we are tired Of fighting the
political battles of Republican factions, and
we are wonderfully fatigued in following the
fortunes of bob-tailed leaders, who cannot con-
troll any strength with their own political
friends, and are constantly deriving support at
the hands Of the Democratic party. We fol-
lowed Carpenter, Tomlinson and Greeley to no
other purpose than breaking down our fences,
and letting out many an one, who wandered
away from the Democratic fold, and became
lost in the wilderness of despair and despon-
dency, if not captured by the enemy. 1t is
not our purpose to repeat this folly, or advise
others to put their necks into the halter.
We are entirely willing to give the lndepen-
dent Republicans fair, open chance to
strengthen their movement. Activity and en-
ergy on their part may develop wonderful
change before the End day of October, but at
present we can perceive no indications in this
portion of South Carolina that corporal's
guard will follow their leadership, outside of
the white conservatives. We shall watch
the movement closely, and will not hesitate to
frankly acknowledge the existence Of its
strength and solidty whenever apparent TO
our short-sighted vision.
Amendments TO the State Constitution