The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-23
See Ourselves as Ithers see Us.

Let our readers read the following en-
tract from the NeW York Times and see if
they recognize the picture. The people
of Abbcville are included by name, and
they will be surprised to find that they
are freely discussing the prospect of an
independent movement and cherishing
'most bitter" feeling against "the lIa-
good men," The Charleston correspond
ent OF the Times has a vivid imagination
and he paints a wondrous picture Of our
State Democracy and our State generally.
Really we must open our eyes and see
| what manner Of men we are, whether we
are Hampton men, or Hagood men, or
Gary men, or of the State House Ring, or
arislocratic bull-dozers, or their vassals.
We confess we are puzzled !; and then the
touching scene Of the cows and hogs slow
ly starving because of the obnoxious
fence law" gives us pause. The truth is
not found in the words Of the "promi-
ncnt Edgeield politician either. Some
strange things nave come out of Edge
field and good things too, for it is not the
Nazareth Of South Carolina, although
General Gary would have it SO; but VIC
don't think the nonsense at the end OF
tho Times extract came out of Edgetlcld.
The Times tells just as much truth in the
following as it did in the article 1t publish
ed last year about Hampton's reception
at the Abbeville Fair,-tkat is to say, the
truth is not in it,-not a particle of truth.
CHARLESTON. S. G., June ll.-Much has
been said in the South Carolina newspapers
about restored harmony In the Democratic
party, and the general acQuiescence in the re.
suit Of the recent Democratic State COnven.
ton. These assurances look Well on paper,
and sound well III the ears OF the Hampton
men, but there is not the slightest particle OF
truth in them. A brief visit to the upper
counties will convince the most obtuse OBJ
server that the discontinue OF the Gary fac
ton by the State House ring has widened the
breach betwcen the Two factions. While the
counsel of the more prudentof Gary's friends
may carry some weight and prevent the NOM
ination OF another ticket, 1t Is safe TO predict
that the Gary men. or "stra1ghtouts, wlllnot
support the ticket forced upon them by the
Hugood men. In Edgetield, AbGeville, An
derson, Uconce, Pickens and Grcenvlllc coun-
ties the feeling is most bitter, and the pros
poets Of All Independent movement are freely
discussed. The chief grievances are the in
tolerabic arrogance OF the aristocratic bull
dozcrS'' controlling the Hampton, Or, errUIc-
ously termed, Fusion" wing Of the South
Carolina Democracy, who look upon the State
as their property, and the working and mid
die classes as their vassals high taxation
which amounts to slow contiscatiol OF the
property owned by the agricultural CLASSES ;
the obnoxious fence law, which protects the
rich aud prevents the poor from raising or
owning cattle. The hardship OF the latter is
most seriously felt IN the mountain districts.
Under the Old law cutie were allowed to
roam at large, which enabled the poor to
raise their annual supply of meat without
much cost. The new law compelS a fencing
I'M ol stock and euforces the expense OF feed
ing cattle on all who own no grass-lanus.
Nine-tenths of the Inhabitants or the dis.
trictS above named own oniy u lew acres OF
cultivated land, In q corner OF which their
hogs and COWS are penned up, slowly starving
to death. Men who have grown gray in the
Democratic party openly assert that they Will
never vote another Democratic ticket. An
other cause OF complaint among the up-cOun-
try leaders Is that the counties which have
actual Democratic majoritieS arc not repre-
senied on the State ticket nor among the
Presidential Electors, the delegates to Cincin-
natl. or the Executive Committee. The
truth is" said Il prominent Edgeield polite
Ian q few days ago, "we arc tired OF our arls-
tocratic masters and wan a change In the
Columbia Convention they started out with Il
General and wound up with a Colonel, and
even went SO far as to provide for us another
master to rule after Hugood. / ar abiding
to General Bratton, whom they elected Chair
man of the Executive committee. AEticipa-
ting Il national triumph, they have already
fixed up q slate for the Federal appointments
in this State: Col. SimOnton TO succeed Uni
ted States District Judge Bryan; Major Bark
er for United states District Attorney; Col
oncl Miles for Collector of Customs Chancel-
Tor Lescsne for Postmaster at Charleston
Hampton's son-in-law, Haskell, for Collector
Of Internal Revenue. Senator Butler will be
place. II the Republican party" he conclu-
died., "can be induced to nominate q good tick
ct, we'll support 1t to a man, and well make
IT our business to see the votes counted. "-N.
J. Times.