The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-20
HAMPTON FOREVER.
Shoe Fly, Don't Bother Me"
RENEWING OUR ALLEGIANCE TO
THE DEMOCRACY.
Full Representation Of Delegates, and
a Large Audience of Spectators.
FIRING THE FIRST GUN.
McGowan in Command.
Marshaling the Forces for the Coming
Conflict.
Democrats Confident and Eager for
Fray.
THE FIRST GUN.
McGowan in Command.
M~arshalins the Forces for the Coming
Conflict.
Confident and Eager for
Fray.

Last Thursday the County Democratic
Convention assembled in the Court
House, about eighty delegates being
present from the different local clubs.
Every club in tho County was repre-
scented. Tho Convention was harmo-
NOUS; but at one time there seemed 10
be q difference Of opinion as to the pro-
pricty Of adopting the Hampton resolu-
tons. The resolutions being fully dis
cussed, the Convention finally thought
as one man. The meeting being unusu-
ally interesting We have reported the
proceedings at great length and trust that
those who were not here may find the
report worth reading. We have endeav-
ored to give a fair presentation of the de-
alterations of the Convention, by faith
fully reporting the proceedings as they
occurred nd in this we have succeed
cd so we'll that the Secretary has compli-
mented Us by adopting our version OF
the meeting as his official report OF the
minutes.
toniclai Rcport.l
Col. J. 8. Cothran Declines Ie~e-elec.
After the meeting was called to order,
the President. in u few preliminary re-
marks said:
7 regret very much the mistake of two
weeks ago, by which many delegates had
come from the country under the false
impression that the convention was 20
have met on the first Monday in March,.
The mistake had arisen by a notice in II
Of the Abbeville papers, for which am
not at all responsible. My absence from
home prevented me from correcting the
mistake in time. I called the present
meeting by virtue Of the resolutions pass
cd at the last meeting of the Central Cur
and appointed this day because | desired
to be present at the reorganization. My
duties us Solicitor prevented my attend
ing Il meeting on Sale Day.
Pardon me for adverting to the original
organization of the County Club two
Years z when mems hearts failed them
and only q handful of members convened
ut the first meetings barely sufficient to
form a quorum. Butthe Vestal fires were
kept burning and by constant and united
efforts, the democracy Of Abbeville
County have gained q great and
complete victory. We are about to
enter OH another campaign, and if we
stand together we shall achieve q more
glorious victory. Thorough union
Is necessary to our success. 1t is the
opinion Of some that there will be little
or no opposition ON the part of the Re-
publicans in the coming canvass; that the
Radical party will not be recognized.
I think they will, and for my part | hear
tily hope they may re-organiZc. I con-
slider the opposition of the Radical par
tv of immense service and advantage to
the Democracy. 1t would promote and
ensure unity i'll Il W ranks. l fear
an open foe less than a deceitful friend.
1t is not without feelings Of emotion
that I to my fellow-membcrs OF
the convention, the determination to re-
sign the position which I hold as Prcsi-
dent and County Chairman. My official
duties as Solicitor render this course a
necessity on my part. 1 have never been
q politician; whatever Office or honor may
have come to me in the line Of my pro-
fessien has been received with gratitude,
but I have never desired political office.
This day ends my political career. /
leave this Office with nothing to regret.
You may, you will find, a more compe-
tent man to fill this office, but you will
never find one who will serve you more
faithfully, and more willingly give you
all that is in him. Gentlemen, the de-
mocracy is invincible. Upon its hoary
head a thousand wreaths have been ell
twined. We will triumph again. Allow
no root of bitterness among you.
Strike down all who would create diris-
ion. Majorities can afford to divide; mi
norities never. We have a numerical
majority to overcome. We must be unit
ed. Let your principles be pure. Recog-
nize nothing but the straightest Demo-
cracv, and victory is yours.
The convention is ready for business.
EIecting President.
Mr.. J. n. King, of Ninety Ski desire
to make q nomination for President Of
this convention. My nominee is too we'll
known to need m introduction from
inc. He is first in war, first in peace and
. first in the hearts Of the people Of Able
vile Countv---General Samuel MCGOWAN.
+. b. Gary, Esq, Abbeville.---I move
the election be by ballot.
ION the suggestion of n of the dele
gates it was agreed to vote by ballot, if
more nominations than n were made
Mr.. John T.. Bradley, Of Long Game
I second the nomination. He is good and
true, not only in peace, but also in war.
His character as a citizen is spotless,
while his record rs a soldier is inferior to
none. 1 hope the hero of 3 hundred bat
ties, and the victor Of a thousand peace
full conquests may receive the unanimous
vote of this Convention.
The vote was taken and General Nc
Gowan vas unanimously elected by ac-
clamation. The President appointed J.
n. King, Gen. P. H. Bradley and ID. J.
Jordan a committee to escort to the chair
the President elect, which they did
amidst great applause. The newly elect
ed officer shook hands with the retiring
President, and addressed the Conven-
ton as follows:
General McGowan Accepts the Office
of President.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION,
representatives of the Democracy OF
Abbeville: I thank you for the conf
dence implied in assigning me this posi-
ton. 1t is a post OF labor, toll and re-
sponsibility, and therefore honorable.
When two years ago as a member of the
State Executive Committee I appointed
my distinguished friend who has just
resigned, to organize the democracy of
Abbeville, my deliberate purpose was to
retire and give place to younger men.
l thought / had done my part long and
faithfully, and had no ambition to retain
the labOring oar. But in these times
every maj should accept without qucs-
ton tho place assigned him, whether it is
in command or in the ranks. This good
old county of Abbeville has never refused
to give me any thing ] desired, and now,
when she commands, I obey. 1t is only
paving in part o debt Of gratitude I owe
to this people. 1 will discharge the
arduous duties of this place to the best OF
nv ability. If I can do RS we'll az my
predecessor has done and again lead you
to victory that will be reward enough for
me.
The approaching election is the most
important that has aver taken place in
South Carolina, only excepting the last.
Indeed it is hardly second to that, as it
is quite as necessary to retain good
government as to achieve 1t. 1t were
better never to have carried the State,
than to lose it now, for it is the nature
of all RESERVATIONS to bring back with
them bitter passions, hatred and revenge.
Not only the peace Of the Countrywide
happiness and prosperity of both races,
but our very civilization hang upon the
coming contest. With the elements
which compose our body polite, we can
only succeed in n of three ways-in-
timidation "%returning boards or fair and