The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-08-10
A Glorious Example to the State.

we QQO IN UQe OuaIleSVou VcWe ~s~
Courier a letter from MIR. r. Means Davis,
in which most satisfactory account is
given of the state of organization in
Laurens County. We transfer it to our
columns, being convinced that no better
argument in favor of earnest and honest
action by the ,straight-out plan can be
presented than this splendid example of
3 whole people thoroughly aroused and
determined to rescue their county. We
commend it heartily to all who may in
cline, to the policy Of inactionl or are dis
posed upon any other plea to shirk the
duty which is now more than ever before
incumbent upon them:
Of all wide-awake people, those of
Laurens are the widest. Kept down and
harrassed, and trampled upon without
mercy for years by Joe Crews and his
followers, the people have arisen to a
man for the liberation of Laurens. That
there has been trouble in Laurens none
can deny. The blame, however, rests
not with the people, who are as law
abiding and poace-loving as any in the
State, but with the government, which
has been venal, corrupt and tyrannical to
the last degree. By systematic course
of ballot box stufing, as witness the cleo.
ton two years ago when five hundred
votes were registered at the Court House
box during the first hour, the Radicals
have perpetuated themselves in power
and foisted into Office as graceless set
as could be gathered together. Laurens
is weary of this wrong. She can stand it
no longer, and she will not. e In the
breasts of her citizens rests the fixed de-
termination to be free,l and 3 resolution
lust as unalterable to be free by lawful
measures and the peaceful instrulnentai-
ties of the ballot box. The voters are
enrolled to a man, and the discipline 80
perfect that no excuses are to be appre-
hended.
The corruption in politics reacted upon
all the industries Of the county. At
every cross-rOad small stores were cree
ted, many of them retailing mean whis-
key iniexchange for cotton stolen by the
freedmen from neighboring plantations.
Thousands of dollars were annually lost
to the. planters by this pernicions prac-
tice. In addition, labor was demoralized,
contracts were openly and shamelessly
violated by the employees, and crops
were almost ruined. Decisive steps were
necessary. They were taken. Anti
cotton shop associations we're formed in
every township. Measures were inaugu-
rated effectually to stop this illicit traffic
and decentralization. Then labor reform
associations were organized to protect the
employer from faithless employees, and
the employed from fraud by his employer.
Every member of the labor reform. clubs,
and their name is legion, is pledged not
to employ laborer who has violated a
contract; and every planter is to be dis
countenanced who breaks his agreement.
These measures were found to work ad-
mirably. The formation of the Demo-
| cratic clubs was next in order. The work
of agitation was tirelessly pursued, and
| now it is said that every white man In
| the county belongs to one or all OF these
organizations. A gentleman reports that
every man, woman and child is thorough.
ly aroused. Never has such enthusiasm,
such earnestness, such confidence of VIC
tory ever existed. Each township meets
every week or on alternate weeks, and
almost every person attends. From IL
o'clock to IL a meeting of the township
Grange is held. from IL to 2 the Anti
Cotton Shop and Labor Reform Associa-
ton is in session, and from 2 to 4 or Later
the Democratic Club is in consultation.
Speeches by the score, short and to the
point, are made, all breathing but one
sentiment: "Laurens shall be free" II
is said to be only necessary to stand al
any cross-road and call for meeting,
and in half an hour fifty or hundred
persons will have assembled. No intiam.
matory speeches are made. The colored
people are told to vote just as they please.
A gentleman informed me that he offered
to provide his hands with q wagon N
carry them to the polls if they wish it.
even if they vote the Republican ticket
A fair election is desired. The Demo
Gratis are sanguine of success, and they
do not propose to have their glorious vic
tory snatched from them by accusation
of fraud and intimidation before the Leg
islature or State Board of Canvassers
They have never enjoyed free and fail
election. They will have one this year
The most careful canvass OF the county
has been made, and the name and resi-
dence of each voter, white and black, il
registered in the county roster. The
colored majority is comparatively quite
small, and can be easily overcome. a
number of colored voters express theil
willingness to cooperate with the Demo
Gratis. The prospect of success in Lau
rens is, therefore, very bright. Indeed
Laurens can be unquestioaably placed il
the Democratic ranks. Such a compact
thorough body never knew defeat ever
in the face of much greater odds. -,
The Democratic candidates have no
vet been nominated. 1t is not knowr
vet who they will be. Bnt the move
ment has been spontaneous uprising o
the people. They have gone right for
ward, and their accustomed leaders to!
| low. Their nominees will be men fresl
from the people. A prejudice, unfoundet
doubtless, but nevertheless strong, EXIST
Il against electlnS lawyers W oiuce. AZ
claimed that they have been sufficient!
honored, and should give way to repre-
sentatives of the other professions. A
the same time the members of the bar o
Laurens, in attending the meetings ant
nursing the enthusiasm of the people
are doing yoeman service in behalf o
reform.
Laurens is too much engrossed il
county affairs to bestow much though
upon State politics. A straight ticket i
doubles preferred, but number o
voters, how many I have no means Q
Judging, will consult the wishes of tn
rest of the State on this perple1ing ye
vital question.
In conclusion, Laurens sets q gloriou
example To the other counties. She ha
been outraged and robbed. Her pnres
and most peaceful citizens have beel
dragged from their homes and incarcera
ted in prison by the grace of an uncon
stitutional law, to crafty the fiendlsl
malice of corrupt scoundrels. Her treas
uru bos heen rohhed. Her courts hav