Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-09-26
The Isalicnl Convention.


Last Saturday was the day appointed for tho
meeting of tho Radical Convention to nominate
candidates for county offices at the ensuing
election.
About 10 O'Clock in tho morning Johnson
Wright the county chairman, came to our Office
to advise and consult with us as to tho best
course for thcm to pursue. Ho wanted to know
whether they could vote in tho primary election,
and If so, how? w told him they could voto
on tho same terms which entitled us to vote, to
wit: Bybecoming Democrats, joining the clubs and
pledging themselves to support the nominees of
the Democratic party for county, State and M
tional offices. Upon his replying that ho was q
Republican and could not rcnounco his Rcpub-
licanism, and that lie did not believe in giving
up his liberty to vote as he pleased by any
pledges, We then advised him as best for his
people, to go home, 60 to work, accumulate pro-
porty under honest government and low taxes,
and when the election came off to 60 up as Re.
publicans and vote for tho Democratic ticket rs
representing in South Carolina tho intelligence
and integrity of tho State, elements essential 10
good government. We explained why clubs
were formed to meet and overcome their solid
organization, and now that through clubs we
had redeemed the State, we proposed to hold it
by like means, whother it pleased the fancy of
Republicans or not
at IL o'clock the party left, promising to re-
turn by 2'P. NJ. and report what had boon
agreed on. AT that hour tho convention, num-
berng from 35 to 90 colored mon, met in tho
court house and read q resolution, which had
been adopted, that Tho party would make 10
nominations, but would support independent
candidates, If any we're found willing to run.
Wright harangued tho crowd for oonsidera-
bic time, but was so slow in the business of tho
meeting that several motions wore made to ap-
point new chairman. Finally Jackson Hon
derson took tho chair and Wright, tho regular
county chairman, after being displaced, left the
court house.
Before closing tho meeting the convention re-
quested us to address them. which We did, giving
them the best advice wo wcro capable of. They
listened attentivey, and at tho close adjourned
| and dispersed. The body scomcd to be as shocp
without shepherd, or Us vessel without rudder
or compass and general Generalization was ap.
parent.
The Democracy was out in force in the shape
Of three red shirt companies, thoroughly or
ganized and we'll mounted. The companies
were commanded respectively by Captains
Sitton, Sloan and Stribling and numbered about
l5O men. They came 10 witness tho proceedings
of tho Radical Convention and to ask division
of time, in case there was any speaking. q
| number Of other Democrats woro present and
tho Walhalla Band also during the morning.
Perfect order prevailed and there was no offer
Or attempt to interrupt the convention in any
way. In fact We never witnessed better behavior
OH the part Of such crowd, so that the day
passed quietly, though success 20 the Demo.
| Gratis Our party would not have had any speak
ing but for the request Of tho Republicans them
selves.
| We were pleased to see the interest manifested
by our people in tho present campaign, MS evil
donccd by tho presence Of the red shirts and
other Democrats. 1t shows rising enthusiasm
here which will ensure us q heavier majority in
| November than in 1876. We understand there
ore several other red shirt companies in the
county, and that the people are beginning TO
work actively for the issues at stake