The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-24

of us thought and still think, that the
most certain and effective way to correct
the evils OF the State government is to
SECURE the triumph Of the national Dem
ocratic party and a change of rulers at
Washington that tho redemption of tho
State government cannot he complete
without that triumph and that conso-
quGnt change. For these and other good
reasons the proposition to change the pro-
grammc at the instance of the Republican
leaders was not entertained. On the con-
trary, we adhered to our platform and
original resolution-to make common
cause and fight together against corrup-
ton and for reform, both III tho State and
general governments. So far as I know
the Republican leaders referred to did not
renew their proposition. Judge Cooke
soon after abandoned Hayes, and both he
and Judge Mackev, as l am informed,
voted not only for Hampton, but also for
Tilden.
HAMPTON DESIRED THE ELECTION OF
TILDEN n HENDRICKS.
The campaign went on rs before.
General Hampton being q candidate for
Governor confined himself in his speech
cs chiefly to tho State politics. l believe
he considered the election of tho State
ticket rs more important to tho State than
the election of the national ticket, but I
know he desired the election of both.
The consultation at Ahbevil!o, which was
not generally known, had no object what
even in chilling the enthusiasm for Til
den and Hendricks. Tho electors con-
tinucl to speak ut tho appointments made
for Hampton and the State ticket, and
carried OH the fight for Tildcn and Hen
bricks with all the power and vigor thcy
possessed up to the very day Of tho cleo
ton. Indeed, they did not cease their
efforts then, butbelicying they had car
ried tho State fairly, they cast the clccto-
raj vote for rildcn and Hendricks and
sent it to Washington. In order, if pos
sible, to reap the fruits of their labors,
they have continued the struggle up to
tho present hour. They pollcd 81 900
votes for Tilden, of which 1900 or Ia, 900
wero cast by colorpd men :; and in doing
so they performed what friends as well rs
opponents considered ar impossibility.
Contrary to tho expectations Of all, they
carried tho State, or camo within a few
votes of doing so. 1t is not believed that
the people of any State in the Union
were moro enthusiastic, worked harder
or more willingly made sacrifices for Mr..
TildeAsthan the white people Of South
made to'the following
1NDIspUTABLE STATEMENTS:
lst. Tho white people of this State wero
"solid for Tilden.". 1t is not bolic we'd
that 200 native whites, excluding Office
holders, voted against him.
I'd. Many of the colored people voted
for Tilden. in different parts Of the
State "Tilden Colored Clubs" with red
shirts, banners and badges wore COM
mon.
Sd. With a largo colorcd majority, the
contest on our part was considered by orr
opponents rs foolhardy. Yet so gallant
was the fight that it is now admitted by
all that we came within a few votes of
carrying--if we did not actually carry
the State for Tilden.
18th. Some Republicans, mostly no
grocs, voted for Hampton and Hayes,
but not q largo number. Except III rare
instances, the vote was-Tilden for PreSi-
dent Hampton for Governor. In the
whole State tho vote for Tildon was not
two thousand less than that for Hanlp-
ton!
9Th. In the white belt, consisting of the
upper counties, the vote for Tildon was
identical with that Of Hampton. They
ran pari passu, and in somo counties Til
den led by a few votes.
1NSii NV IN fStSS o'P' 't"PSitoN
policy, all the whito people voted for Til
den and Hendricks, and it is most conf
IDENTITY believed that tho largo colored
vote polled for them was secured alono
by that wise and just policy which was
strictly in accordance with Mr.. Tildon's
letter of acceptance.
A. MERE HANDFUL OF VOTES.
We think these facts provo the sincori-
ty, good faith and activity of tho Demo-
cratic electors for the State Of South Caro-
lima in the late convass, and that Tilden
and Hendricks were not deserted"
Under these circumstances it is mortifv-
ing to fail if that must bc tho result.
1t is moro notifying to fail by
a nero handful of votes-less than five
hundred but it is still moro mortify-
ing, because it is unjust, to he told that
the State gavo a lukewarm support to
Mr.. Tildon, and was lost to tho national
Democracy by tho bad "policy" of one
who was not an ~oloctor, but Il candidate
for Governor.
Yours, respectfully,
s. MCGOWAN.