Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-06-10

cratic party of the State of South Carolina
Can the call put forth by the Executive Com
mittee be decided by any other judg
than by the judgment of the Democratic par
ty in convention assembled? We are, there
FORE face to face with a question which has
been submitted through the counties by the
Executive Committee of the party. We are
to decide it us question of party policy,
This is party question, free from personal
feeling. AS party issue, upon which the
Democracy are divided, it is to be brought
here in family council, to compare our views,
consider the situation, and to decide in such
manner as, in our judgment, is best for the
party and for the State. No personal consid'
Grafton should influence the vote of any dele;
gate upon this floor. We are not deciding a
question simply for this year, but which may
hereafter come up as precedent for future
years. It is, therefore, wise that we should 60
prudently to work and leave no room to regret
our action hereafter What are the reasons
why this Convention should now act? 1t has
been said that there is no precedent. Can any
one point to all instance where Convention
has been called by the committee under the
same circumstances? We are limited and
narrowed down in the matter of precedent in
this State. There has been but one single
Democratic Convention in a Presidential year,
and that was in 1875. am one of those who
think that we have too many conventions, too
much politics. We have here body which
is instructed, body that is prepared to act
according to the will of its const tuency.
Why, then, have another convention :? There
is nothing in the reason of precedents which
justifes it. Nor do see any reason in the
objection that we cannot nominate because
the National Convention has not assembled.
| am surprised to see so much Importance at.
tached to platform. We know that beyond
the shadow of doubt, no matter what is done
in Cincinnati, the State of South Carolina is
bound by it. She has to day named delegates
in whom she has absolute and implicit faith,
and whatever they commit the State to in
Cincinnati, that the State will stand by. Does
it matter one iota to us what the platform may
contain or who may be the nominee who may
be placed uponit? When the flag is unfurled
South Carolina must wheel into line in its
support. Why wait for the future when our
action is fixed and certain in advance of that
future? 1t is said that nominations now will
derange the agricultural interests of the State.
1t has been provided that the executive COM
mttee si.all not open the canvass until such
time, as in their judgment, shall least disturb
the agricultural interests of the State. That
matter will be left to the judgment Of the ex-
ecutive committee. There can be no execu-
tive committee elected until the State ticket is
nominated. The ticket and the committee
are the working factors of the campaign.
We have never gone into political campaign
in this State yet, in which the executive COM
mittee has had half enough time to make an
effective campaign. Nominations by this
Convention will be followed by the election Of
an executive committee, which will have the
party to organize, and to consider deliberate.
ly and calmly what is to be the plan of that
campaign. The time which this would give
the committee, General Conner held, was of
the first Importance. Enthusiasm was not
everything in campaign. There was some.
thing more important than enthusiasm, and
that was work-calm, quiet, solid, effective
work 1t is that which tells in the campaign,
and which, nine times out of ten, wins the
fight. The Convention was here to do what
was right, and if they could not do what was
right, and face the consequences, it has not the
strength to live.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Gen.
Conner called the previous questions on the
whole matter.
Tie main question being in order, the Chair
ordered vote upon the adoption Of the mi
nority report postponing nominations, as a
substitute for the majority report, which re-
commended nominations by the present Con.
vention.
The yeas and nays were called and result
ed yeas g., nays Sc. Lost. It was then
claimed, by Messrs. George Johnstone, J. w.
Gray and R. R. Hemphill that the previous
question had been exhausted, and that de-
bate was again in order upon the adoption of
the majority report
After some discussion Of this point, the
Chair ruled the previous question not ex-
hausted and declared the debate closed. The
vote was then taken on the adoption Of the
majority report, and resulted yeas "a, nays
63. Adopted.
Mr.. Murray, of Anderson, rose and said
that now that the Convention had spoken and
decided in favor of immediate nominations,
he moved that the adoption of the majority
report be made unanimous. Lord applause. ]
Gen. Harllee seconded the motion.
Mr.. Allen, of Edge6eld, stated that, under
instructions from his people, he could not
endorse the action of the Convention, but
would abide by whatever the people of his
county did.
Mr.. Murray said that as there was objec-
ton, he would withdraw his motion.
Mr.. George Johnstone renewed the motion.
Mr.. Sheppard, Of Ed gefeld, said that while
he recognized the right Of the people to in.
struct their delegates, he felt that there was
a higher duty than the instructions which
be had received. The majority report being
adopted, he believed that it was the duty Of
every Democrat in South Carolina to sup.
port it. When I return to my constituency,
he said, don't know what my fate may be-
I will however, support the action Of this
Convention, and beg my people to do so.
And if I know the people of Edge6eld arigh
an overwhelming majority Of the straight
out Democracy will sustain this action with
me. Lord applause.]
Gen. Conner said that as an expression Of
unanimity had been obtained, it would be
useless to press the calling of the yeas and
nays to secure a unanimous vote. He felt
assured that every man in the Democratic
party would cheerfully support the action of
the Convention.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr..
Andrew Crawford, Col. Blue, of Marion, and
Mr.. Johnstone, Of Newberry, and the Con-
vention, at midnight, adjourned until 10
o'clock to. morrow, when nominations for
State officers will be made.