The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-08-09
PROCEEDINGS OF
THE STATE CONVENTION !
HAMPTON RENOMINATED,
WITH ALL .-,
The Other State Officers /!
THE PLATFORM OF 1876 REAFFIRMED,
Harmony and Unity Secured
THE DEMOCRATIC RANKS uNBRoKEN

of the State Democrats Execotive COMMITTEES.
called the State Democratic Convention to order,
and nominated Col. j. s. Cotbran as temporary
chairman Of the Convention.
Col. Cothran was unanimously elected and
in taking the chair addressed the Convention as
follows:
Allow me to thank you, gentlemen of the
Convention, fer this unexpected honor in calling
upon me to assist in the organization of this i'm
portant and responsible body. shall not VEN
ture in this position to impress upon your mind Is
any peculiar ideas of my own as to the plans
and policies or purposes of the Democracy
in the campaign about to begin. That banner
which was furled in victory nearly two year ago
is about to be thrown to the breeze again. BY
common consent It win be doubtless submitted
again to the same wise, prudent and faithfsl
hands which bore it to victory before. (GfSHt
applause.
Amengst all her devoted sons, and South CIR
olina has many, who clung to her through de-
cade OF diversity, none have been found, in the
Judgment of q grateful people, more faithful and
more devoted 10 cause than these have been
[Applause.1
congratulate you, gentlemen OF the Convcn-
tion, upon the changed condition Of affairs
which appears so conspicuous rs compared with
those Of two years ago. Your political adver-
saries then we're thoroughly organized and firm
ly seated In power, rejoicing rs a strong man
about to run q race and now they are disorgsn-
lied, dishsartened and dispersed. It must not
be, however, forgotten that the battle Of life is
never ended, and the army which appeared be-
fore ycu yesterday vanquished may renew tho
struggle tomorrow. Often in the sense of secu-
rity there may lurk the greatest dagger
have achieved, in the hope of those that are to
be achieved, and in the name of Q redeemed
regenerate and grateful people in the name Of
civilization and decency, apd in the name of an
enlarged, unselfsh interest, let me hope that no
spirit of bitterness shall spring up amongst us,
,and that the success of the past may be consid-
cred ds mar rbinger Of the future.
After prayer by the Rev. VIM. Martin, Messrs.
d. s. Henderson and L. &. CASTOR were elected
temporary secretaries.
The temporary organization Of the Conven-
ton being completed, Hon. Geo. d. Tilman Of
fercd the following, which was adopted:
Resolved, In NIL elections by the Convention o
majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to
choice, and the vote shall be taken viVa voce and
recorded, except when there is but one candi-
date, in which event the vote may be taken by
reclamation.
Col. J. A. Law, of Darlington, then nominated
Gen. J. ID. Kennedy as permanent president of
the Convention, and, as there were no other
nominations, he was unanimously elected by sc-
clamatien.
On me.,on of J. c. Sheppard, ESQ.,, Gen. Ken
OF shress Aaa npeAstak tho chair made the
following remarks.
Gentleman Of the Convention thank yeu
for the honor you have conferred by electine me
your presiding officer, and will endeavor to dis
charge its duties impartially and to the best of
my ability.
You are the representative body of the Dem
ocratic party OF South Carolina, and as such are
assembled for the first time since our grand and
triumphant victory on the 7th of November, l876.
On the 18th of this month two years will have
passed since your last assemblage, and the con
trast between our condition now and then should
nSssssit Ss y grateful emotion. At that
lied and abs s sssssS;EE Sf ";
the Offices and election machinery ofv6s SssStste.
endorsed and aided by powerful ally at WASH
ington, backed by the purse and sword of the
General Government with an exciting Presi-
dental election to complicate the situation ;
with heroic resolution you laid down n broad
liberal and wise platform, and with Wade Hamp-
ton rs your standard bearer carried everything
before you. II was long, perplexing and
stormy campaign, taxing to the utmost the pae
thence aud patriotism of our people, and even
after the election weeks of weary watching and
stern self-control elapsed before we entered into
possession Of the government of the State. 1t
was victory achieved by the irresistible morale
of our attitude, and it is q subject of profound
quired over the good people Of Carolina of all
classes and conditions. Peace reigns supreme,
justice is administered to all alike taxes are re-
duced and honesty, economy and competency
characterize our officials. Such, gentlemen, is
our condition, and it behooves us 10 rise to the
fullest measure of our responsibility as o party
and take no step BACKWARD, but lay still deeper
the foundations of perpetual good will and en-
during prosperity. We are the custodians Of
tho interest of the people of this State and will
be held accountable for its welfare.
Iknow address men who neither lightly es-
teen nor will rsOklessly jeopardizs this exalted
position. Political wisdom is the outgrowth oi
political experience, and our experience in the
last campaign shenld qualify us all the better to
grapple and dispose Of the complications aris.
ing FROM the anomalous and diverse relations
which exist in our midst. Let uScontinue true
10 our platform and l feel assured that with
energy, unity and good faith we will win this
campaign still more triumphantly. l invoke
the utmost concord in your deliberations and
the blessings of God on your actions.
Messrs. 8. w. Maurice, b. +. Whitner, w. B
wilson, Ct. l.. Buist and A. p. Butler, were
elected Vice-presidents from their respective
Congressional districts, and Messrs. 4. s. Hen.
derson and f. Il. Murray we're elected perma
nent secretaries. Mr.. w. G Brown, from Ander
son. was elected treasurer.
Mr Jecr, Of Union, moved that O committee