The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-10-20

I
the returns from Ohio aud Indiana. He
sees no cause for encouragement. "All
we have To do is to stand firm, says Bob.
"spd we are bound to win" We will see
YOU later, Robert, alter the 9ud prox, and
learn why it was the Democracy did not
stand firm. OF course you will come pre-
pared with the proper explanation in
your pocket.
A specimen Of south Carolina Politics:
In certain parts of South Carolina, not,
it is needless to say, in Hamburg or Edge
field. but in the lower and sea-board coun'
ties, where the negro population is over
whelmipgly the largest, the Republicans
venture to assert themselves, to hold meet
ings and 10 express their political prefer
ences in public. One OF these meetings
was held at Fort Motto. 0raugeburg coun'
ty. and after it had been given out that
the Democrats proposed to be in attend
ance and make the usual demand upon
the Republican speakers to divide time,
with the threat that II II was not accorded
they would break up the meeting, 1t was
announced with equal decision by the
Republicans that any such attempt would
be resisted. The Democrats were on
hand, aud not liking the appearance
OF the crowd, they changed the
tone Of demand by threat. to re-
quest by courtesy, and although there
never has been an occasion in the history
OF the State when similar favor was
granted TO the Republicans, 1t was cheer.
fully acceeded to. 1t was not successful
operation, the logic OF the Democratic ora
tors being greatly weakened by the fact
that it waa not backed by shotguns, and,
for instance, when 1t was asked by Dem.
ocratic speaker what rights the people had
lost under Democratic rule, which they
had four years ago, and it was responded
that they had lost the right to nave their
votes honestly counted, there was no re.
Spouse. The Democratic went away silent
and crestialIen, and will probably not at.
tempt to compel the speakers at a Repub-
lican meeting to divide time again, unless
they have force on their side. What the
Democrats Themselves think OF the result
Of the meeting may be seen in
fhe following letter from DR.. Bates,
prominent politician, addressed to the
Chairman OF the Democratic County Com
m,ttee OF Otangburg, which has been pub
lished. 1t will be seen that in his opinion
the Democratic speakers were outargued
and miscouducted themselves, and thatin
his opinion it would be better to canvass
the voters indt yidually than attempt to
convince them by public discussion or
use violence, since violence would result
in injury to the national cause, induce
the negroes to regard its victims as mar
tyrs, aud finally because 1t "would take a
deal OF violence to drive Mickey away"
However, the letter speaks for itself:
ST. MATTHEWS, S. G., September 49,
Mr.. L. DiGJie, County Chairman, 0rangeburg
County:
DEAR SIR-I hope you will not think me
prssulnpt1ous in endeavoTing to commu'
nicate to you few lines expressing my
disapproval Of your policy requiring Us to
attend the Republican meetings in this
county. Iattended the meeting at Fort
Motto on Saturday, and was close obser-
yer and careful listener, and came away
satisfied that our presence there not only
did no good but actually made the meeting
complete success for the Republicans.
The Republicans treated us with every
cpnrles\ and gave our speakers respect-
iul hearing with tho implied understand.
inr that VIC were to show them the same
conttesy, and, rs the superior race, set an
example OF orderly behavior, etc. The
result YVES very few wild speeches by our
side without.any effect, and two tery stir.
ing ard telling speeches by Mackey
and Taft, very exasperatlng 10 us
and very damaging TO our party
in the minds OF the negroes. Sew.
ersl very grave and telling charges
were made against our party aud went un-
denied, and several very strong points
we're made against US, and those points
did NOT have any Of their keenness and
sharpness taken away by our leaders.
Our going there and acting as we did was
very unfortunate. The only way to save
NM credit and pride when We attend
these meetings Is to act and speak agrees.
siyply. Speakers should be put up who
will furn upon Mackey, TAFT & Co., and
hold them up 10 ridicule and deTision;
strip them naked, and expose them IN all
their meanness aud selfshness. Fair
argument and a statement OF facts and the
giving OF figures accomplish nothing With
a negro audience against the arts OF q Mac
kew. This latter aggressive policy, II at
tanlpted, may result In violence, 70 the In
iury OF our national success, and il not
only might end in violence, but thinkyery
nrobably would 80 end. After all we can.
pot win negro votes by peaceable and mild
discussions at Republican meetings, and
40 cannot win them by an aggt essive
noIicy at those meetings. We might make
I, 40 UNPLEASANT for Mackey & 20. as TO
cause them 10 leave the stump In our coun.
80 INIT the result would be the negroes
wnrld regard them as almost martyrs to
tbeir caose, and they would fnd in such
tbs;r fears that we will In many ways de.
priye them Of their rights. Your plan Of
privately canvassiBg individual voters IS
infinitely better, and IN my Judgment
should be adhered to and the other policy
Abandoned. I wish could express more
Clearly and iorcibly what ] feel and think
With respect and esteem, yours. ETC.,
B,-I don't think II likely that we
conld cause MacSey to quit the stump,
INT only supposed the case, To- express my
belIei that il would do no good, 1twould