The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-08-02
THE DUTIES OF THE HOUR.
eral John ID. Kennedy on tic Political
Situation IN South Carolina.

OH Saturday last, and in response to spe
cial invitation, Gcn John ID. Kennedy de-
lvercd Il speech OH political affairs in this
State, synopsis Of which appears in the
Winusboro Ne,1s and Herald, as follows ::
l am heartily rejoced at the interest you
E&ave evinced in politics thus early in the
campaign. Upon the elections this fall
depend matters Of vital Importance to the
people. The orator, Burke has said that
the heart of thc oitizenis perennial spring
of energy to the State, and it is we'll that
every citizen, laying aside for the moment
his other duties, should attend public meet
ipSs, and keep himself abreast with the
politics of the hour. More especially is it
important at this hour, for the State is not
yet safe. Those who arc inclined to rest
supinely on their past achievements and to
lull themselves into security are pursuing
course fraught with danger, and he who
stands back while she calls is stabbing his
mother in the vitals Let us take a retros
spcctivc lance at the history of South Car
olina after reconstruction. In 1870, the
people Of the State, in opposition to their
feelings, entered into the Subcrnatorial race
with Republican at the head Of the ticket
Again, i'll 1872, they pursued a similar
course, and supported Reuben Tomlinson
for that high position. In 1874 the good
people of the State again rallied to tho sup
port of Judge Greene, and again they
failed to accomplish the result for which
they had laborcd.
After these repeated concessions and re-
pcatcd failures, the people determined
never again to coqucttc with the Radical
jade, but with Il firm belief in the right,
they raised their own banners aloft, and
under their own leaders went forth to vic
tory. We remember the events of that
campaign, how the people suffered every
species of outrage without resistance, and
how their sclEcomposurc gained for them
tho paudits Of the world. Then, in the
trying times succeeding the 7th of Novem-
Der, their continued forbearancc, their self
control, their obedience to the law, won for
them still greater renown, and for their
loader, Hamnton=s ;'i10- slor:cr Let US
review the blessings that have resulted
from this change of government The
public debt has been honorably adjusted
The schc IS are prospering under enlig ght-
cncd and honest officials and with proper
distribution Of the funds. Justice is rcn.
dercd everywhere and to every class of
people The State taxes have been re.
duced one half. The Stase Offices arc filed
by men Of integrity and responsibility
The corruption and filth which made South
Carolina the synonym of evil throughout
the world have been all removed, and South
Carolina has again taken her place pure
aud uEsulied in the honorable sisterhoOd of
States. But while we should send up
peans of rejoicing for the redemption all
ready achieved, we have yet the task before
us Of binding around the work a chain of
adamant that will not break whatever be
the forces arrayed against it.
To ensure tho completion of this great
work the fundamental principles Of the
platform of 1876 must be reaflirmcd and
carried out, for on that platform We
achieved glorious victory. The platform
contained few broad principles. We
asked to stand on common platform with
us all tho honest citizens of South Carolina.
We pledged ourselves to honesty and econ
omy in the administration Of the State gov
ernment. This platform was catholic in
spirit aud broad in principles so broad apd
so deep that thousands who had not before
SuhIu I'CuiOCldtS W
assistance, and by their aid we redeemed
the State. 1t placed us in full accord with
the national Democracy while in accepting
as finaitics the issues Of the war, it turned
its back on the past and directed us to the
future. On this same platform we go forth
again to victory. The injection Of any
extreme plank will tend to cut the throats
of the Democratic party. We must not
cut off the thousands of votes who aided
us in 1876. We need thousands more
There need be no fear that this element
wil assume control of the party and shape its
dcsAinics. The whites will always direct.
But we want to hook these people to us
with hooks Of steel. / have great respect
for all the Democrats in the State, but ]
must say that the Inauguration Of any such
harsh measures as arc proposed by certain
members Of the party seals the doom of the
State. We have been placed in peculiar re-
lations with the colored people, and it would
bo madness to turn our backs Oh them.-
With honest whites and honest blacks close
ly united in defence Of honesty and home
rule, we can bid eternal defiance TO carpet
baggcrs, scalawags and any other rascaily clc-
ment that may seek our destruction.
Not only should we adhere to our plat
form, but we should maintain strict party