The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-11

of that ticket would be disastrous to
the interests of our people, [ occupy
individually to-day agreatly advanced
position on the line OF the great battle
of reform, and | have behind me, fol-
lowing my lead, the united republican
party of this state.
DEMOCRATIC CLAIMS.
I must now examine your claim that
the democratic party is engaged IN the
present canvass in asimple struggle to
throw OFT the burden of misgoyern-
ment, and that all your methods and
agencies are legitimate and peaceful.
THE CONSERVATIVE" POLICY.
You are aware that the present poll
CIV of The democratic party in this state
was earnestly opposed and its adoption
dcplored by q portion of that
party amounting 10 nearly a majority,
and l am aware that that policy is still
deplored by many of the men,
bers of that purity. The opponents of
that policy embraced the leading and
only widely-circulated newspaper III
the state, the Charleston NctUs and COu-
ricr, as we'll as a great number of our
most honOred and experienced citi-
in all ranks and occupations of
our society. If 1 were to call the roll
of those lame l think it would be
found to embrace and represent y vast
preponderancc of the talent, property,
political experience and breadth Of
sentiment and view in Our state. The
grounds Of their opposition to the poll
cy, popularity called the ''straight.out"
policy, were clearly defined, and had
reference to the advancement
Of the cause OF practical reform Ill tile
state. They knew and recognized the
fact that the republican party embra-
ced majority Of at least twenty-five
thousand OF the voters OF the state.
They knew and recognized the fact
that the colored race, who constitute
the larger part of the republican vo-
tiers, were attached to that party by
ties the strongest which ever govern
mems political actions-the profound
con viction, whether mistaken or not,
that the great bOOns 80 recently con-
ferred on them-freedom and suf-
frage-were safe only, in their full
breadth and b~eneficence, under the
plOlcClloll WI LuC party h'C' ho"
conferred them. They believed upon
evidences too clear to leave room for
doubt that for this cause no number of
these voters, sufficient to change the
relations of our parties, could be de-
tached from the republican party by
argument or legitimate persuasion or
other lawful methods OF influencing
their political action. They recognize
ed i'm me one whose republicanism
was original and radical, but whose
course in the practical conduct of pub
lie affairs gave assurance that | had
the true interests of all. the people OF
the state as my guiding principle in
public life. Upon these grounds the
mel to whom [ refer counsel.ed q pol
icy which subordinated the interests
of party to the good Of the state.
Their policy contemplated, first, the
ucquicscence Of the democratic party
in my nomination by the republican
party, if that should take place, and
such other Of the nominees upon the
republican state ticket US should be
uneXceptionahle and, second, an ell
fort by all conciliatory and legitimate
means to secure a large minority OF
representation for the democratic par
tyin both houses of the Legislature,
and in all local or county officers. lii
the May convention of the democrat
ic party this policy apparently receiv-
ed the support Of a majority OF the
convention. That it offered the only
prospect of the removal Of the present
race and party lines, and the establish
ment of relations of confidence and
cooperation in public affairs between
the two races, was clear then and is
clearer now.
THE "STRIGHT-oUT" POLICY.
Opposed to this policy was the
'.straight-out" policy-the nomina-
ton Of entire democratic state and
county tickets and the Inauguration Of
q purely party struggle. This policy
was advocated by a class of men, the
most conspicuous of whom are we'll
known as men of extreme views, with
strong, procIfvities toward violent
methods, and measures. 1t was
openly advocated as the "Mississippi
plan," aud at the convention which
adoptedit General Furguson. oil, Mis-
sissippi, appeared IS an honored guest
and filled the Office of drill master in
the Mississippi tactics. This policy Is
properly termed In this state the
"EdgefeldP policy, and was also call
ed hy the editor of the Charleston
Ncws aud Conrlcr the "shot gun" pol
lev. OF the practfEsl details of this
policy 1 shall speak Hereafter.
The policywas adof ed in the dem
ocratic state convention inssAugust.
and was foIlowedsby the noniinasaoHsof
a full democratic state tichcHaN46W
apdotcd under Influences md auspi-
ces, it was advocated by arguments, IT
has been carried out by methods and
measures so exclusively and entirely
partisan as to deprive tile present dem
canvass of all just claims to he
what you claim for little struggle
of the white people OF South Carolina
to cast off a burtllen Of corruption and
wrong" and to warrant me in dcclar-
ing it TO be a struggle by the democrat
ic party of South Carolina to gain po-
litical coutrol Of the state for the sake
of partisan power and advantage.
The men who looked exclusively to
reform, the argument which promised
the attainment of practical reform,
the methods which are warranted by a
for the public good, all We're OPP
posed to this policy. In saying this |
regarding the facts of the case
without any reference to myself. The
the democratic party of South Carroll
were under no political obligation
to me, but if the wish to have their
present claim respected-thut they are
moved by non-partisan motives in
their present course-they were under
obligation 10 adopt a policy which did
not, as does their present policy, array
against ace and party against
party in a fierce struggle for political
mastery.
"pEACEFUL" AGENCIES.
1 come now to your claim that in
the present CANVASS all the methods
and agencies employed by the demo-
cratic party are peaceful, orderly and
the law. In your COMMUNE
you especially assure me that if
I accept your invitation my appear
ancc before the democracy throughout
the state will be to me as governor q
most pleasing REPUTATION of the SLAM
derous charges which are constantly
published against your party" My
knowledge of the serious cast of your
character forbids ME to think that you
are indulging in conscious satire or
badinage in giving me this assurance.
Without expressing any doubt of the
good faith Of your present assurance, |
fear that your experience in attending