The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-05-05
county CIAITI1uIl.
Abbevillc C. H., May 5, 1850.

Your obcdicnt servant,
S. MCGOWAN.
County Chairman.
Abbevillc C. H., May 5, 1850.
THE REORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY
CLUE.
President King---The election of q
President to serve for two years is now in
order. We should in looking fora PrcSi,
dent, select the man best qualified to fill
the Office, to the satisfaction of all parties,
We should unite upon Il man who has
! been true and tried, and never was found
wanting.
Dr.. Maxwell---I rise to put in nomina-
ton the name of Col. James S. Cothran.
In 1876 the County Clalrmen Of the
State did rs much as all others to carry
the election. There were one more sue
ceSsful and prosperous than ourselves
and none did more to secure the victory
than Colonel Cothran. All can unite OH
him, without n particle Of opposition.
DR.. +. F. Gary---1 move that Col. Goth
rams election be made unanimous.
The election was unanimous and Col.
| Cothran took the chair amid the greatest
applause. .,
raids now"
When the applause had subsidized, Col.
Cothran spoke substantially as follows:
COLONEL coTHRAN's SPEECH
My FRIENDS {: It is no affectation in
me to say that / arr profoundly impress
ed with this evidence of your confidence.
The place to which you have elected me
is not a bed of roses. 1t is n place, how
ever, with which l am not unfamiliar.
We are now entering upon scenes which
were enacted in the past, and which are
fresh in your memory. The retrospect
calls to mind the manhood, and true
heartedness, and devotion Of this people.
Circumstances to-day are not as they
were then. Then the Democratic party
was Democracy militant; now it is De-
mocracv triumphant. tChccrs. In the
memorable campaign of rs we achieved
all that men could do. We are now call
ed on to maintain that which we then
achieved: There is nothing to prevent our
maintaining it except some rootof bitter
vide US. There must be no dissension in
our ranks. If we arc not united as one
man, vain were tho sutfcrings, toll, and
sacrifices of &c. Omitted we stand, divi-
ded we fall" Truer words were never
said. 1 know not, gentlemen of the jury
---Laughter]---I betray my calling.
Yes, you arc the jury to pass between
the State of South Carolina and the Re-
publican party.
1 will not say, gentlemen of the jury
[Renewed Laughter.] l will not say that
again. You are watched, fcllow-citizens,
BY a party which is not dead. That par
ty is Vigilant, active, unceasing, and ull-
scrupulous. They despair of defeating
you by their W party. They know that
IS impossible. They expect to divide
your ranks. That is where the trouble
| will come in. Whenever you allow dis
sension in our ranks, either upon princi-
pies or aspirants for office, we ensure our
own defeat, and the elevation Of the DEM
aeogue. The reign of the d%elnagogue
means ruin to decency, to responsibility,
to fair and honest government. l say,
| without having more knowledge on the
subject than you have yourselves, that
the Republican party will not make noun
nations for State officers. / only wish
they would. That course would unite us,
and deliver us from the enemies within
our own household.
If we yield to men who seek Office, and
their own ACKNOWLEDGMENT, We are bound
sooner or later to be defeated. l call on
all good men, and Democrats to maintain
the purity of the party at all risks. Fail
| ing in that, we are defeated. On entering
upon the duties Of my Office, I promise to
the utmost of my ability, that will dis
charge them. You have a duty to per-
torn greater than mine; 1 could float like
fhc cork on the water, but need the sup
port of your strong arms and faithful
hearts. AS Aaron and IIur held up the
hands of Moses, "the one OH the one side,
and the other on the other sidc," l call
upon you. to hold up mine, while I pray
success, brilliant, unboundcd, success,
may yet perch upon our banners.
[Chcers.
The Convention is now ready for bus
mess. 1t is i'll order TO proceed with
the election of a First Vice-President.
DIR. Gary---A general should hayo
GOOD officers, and, as you intimate, good
men on his right and left. ] take pleas
ure in nominating one, who will answer
in every particular-Dr. j. G.. Maxwell.
Can't. McGhcc---I nominate DR.. J. &.
Maxwell.
e. &. Graydon, Esq---I move that
the rules bdsuspended and that DR.. Max
! well be elected by reclamation.
The motion was carried and Dr.. Max
well unanimously elected.
President Observation-Disclosures are
now in order for Second Vice President.
Col. Z. u. ITerndon--We may need two
doctors. l therefore nominate DR.. j.. D.
Neel.
DR.. Ncel---I thank the gentleman for his
compliment, but respectfully decline.
General X. II. HcInphill---Agrccing
with my friend in the opinion that We
may need two doctors in the campaign, l
nominate Dr.. +. +. Gary.
DR.. Gary---I respectfully decline, and
nominate DR.. Wideman for the Office.
DR.. Neel---I second the nomination.
DR.. Widcman is the man TO take the
bull by the horns.
DR.. Widemau---Tho bull has no horns,
they have been butted off.
ii. Galman, Esq---1 nominate General
r. II. Hcmphill.
General Hemphill---I respectfully de-
cline. I cant hold the office. l never
was much at acting as Presidents and
Secretaries.