The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-24


tended, would obtain it, placing himself
for instance in the position of voting both
for and againstit. He did not see how
he could be consistent unless he voted
both for and against it, and moved to
amend the resolutions by striking out all
after the word resolved and inserting
The following # "That il is inexpedient
at this time toSadopta platform by which
we are to be governed in conducting the
canvass, as far as the same relates to State
officers"
Mr.. Lipscomb, Of Newberry, moved
that the Convention 60 into secret ses-
sion for the consideration of the resolu-,
tions, which was agreed to. The State
Executive Committee and the alternates
to the State Convention were invited to
remain, while the reporters were exclu-
ded.
The debate in secret session was pro-
tracted until late hour in the afternoon,
with short intermission for dinner. The
discussion was able and thorough, char
acterized by great courtesy on both sides,
and singularly free from any violent ut
terance. Each speaker seemed to be i'm
pressed with the gravity of the issue, and
the efforts of all were directed to the
harmony and unity in the party.
On the side of immediate action were
Messrs. DePass, Lipscomb, Gary, Has
kell, DeLoach, Thomas and Butler, and
those in favor of postponement were
Messrs. Rion, Noise and Barker, and
Gen. James Conner, who closed the debate
on that side with a speech of immense
power, in which he pressed all the strong
points of his case with unsurpassed abil-
ty. The advocates for immediate action
stood upon the pressing necessity for i'm
mediate and thorough organization upon
the need for an enthusiastic rally of al!
the honest votes of the State; and upon
the impossibility Of securing these with
out definite platform and known can
didates. a . u, ,I
On the other hand was demonstrated
the impolicy of precipitate sction; the
Importance Of knowledge of the designs
and purposes of political enemies; the
necessity for information of the position
and character of the candidates and plat
form against which it was our policy, as
we'll as duty, to make an assault. The
peculiar circumstances of several of the
counties of the State were brought to the
attention of the Convention, and the del
egates from other sections were implored
not to obstruct or impede the good work,
already begun in them, by rash or incon-
siderate action. 9ii
the discussion was concluded, a
direct vote was taken, and resulted as
follows: Eighty-two for immediate ac-
tion aud sixty.fve for postponement.
The doors were then thrown upon, and
the injunction of secrecy removed in re-
gard to the vote upon the resolutions.
Being in open session, Gen. Butler
nominated Gen. Wade Hampton for Gov
ernor of South Carolina, which was re-
ceived with rapturous applause. Mr..
Robert Aldrich, of Barnwell, seconded
the nomination in neat speech, in which
he expressed the hope that Gen. Hamp-
TOMS name would be added to the long
list of ,illustrious< men who have made
the fame of South Carolina second to
none in the Union. 49,
General Hampton then ascended the
Speakers stand, and made apersonal .ex-
PLANTATION to the Convention, saying that
he came here only to promote unity and
harmony; and had .studiously refrained
from taking part in the discussion, as he
did,not wish by word or act to influence
the Convention. In published card,
he had fully, earnestly and truthfully ex-
pressed his views, feelings and opinions,
but he had not attempted to urge his
views upon the Convention, or influence
its action. when the war was raging"
said General Hampton, I was
asked to come back from the field
and allow my name to be presented as
for Governor; but I preferred
to stay where I thought I, could be of
most service to- my State and country:
[Cheers. But since the war, appeal
to you and every man in South Carolina,
!. have never offered one word of advice
unless it was asked of, me. I have never
concealed my opinions, either in the
South, or at the. North, or in the West;
but have never ventured to- give any adj
vice, or tried Ito control any action in
South. Carolina. / felt, literally, that my
day was past, and, in, coming back to
South Carolina, I felt. as he did, who
said: sAn old man, whose heart is bro
ken, is come to lay his weary bones
amongst you; give me little earth for
I have claimed nothing of
South Carolina save the narrow strip of
land in yonder churchyard. t.o
"But have always said that whenever
could, by word or deco, serve the State,
the men Of the State had only to call me,
and would devote all that 1 had of life,
Of time, and Of energy to her service, |
will now be perfectly unreseryed with
you on another point. Men whose pa
triotism is beyond all question, men in
whose wisdom and judgment 1:place great
think that, your nomination
Of me would injure the Democratic party
the. United States. If the
question were left with me to decide
whether the interests of South Carolina
Or those Of. the Democratic party of the
United States were to be placed upper
most, I could not hesitate in my choice;
but I believe that the success; of the
Democratic party will inevitably bring
success and relief to South Carolina. /
believe there can be no question that if
Tilden is elected the State of South Caro-
lima will be ours. We will work for her
redemption, and we will secure it;z
{Cheers.] ,.
eNow, gentlemen, I do not wish you in
the slightest degree to jeopardize the
general Democratic party. ] would glad
" decline the nomination, and l speak to
you with perfect honesty. Besides the
influence which this nomination may ex-
ert on the general prosperity of our par
ty, there are men in the State in whose
eyes I-possess disqualification, of which
I cannot divest myself and would not if !
could; it is what they are pleased to call
my war record. That record is the re-
cord of sixty thousand Confederate SOL
diers of South Carolina, and if l am. to
forfeit that, and say I am ashamed OF
that, ashamed to have been one of them
~ Il