The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-29
TUE WONTIOELLO CLUE.

Speech OF the President-Elcction Of ON
cers md Delegates.
Pursuant to the call ofthc president,
4ho Monticello Democratic Club held
meeting on The 22nd inst, for the
purpose of rcorganizing for the ap-
nroaching campaign. The following
officers were elected:
| Prcsident--John W. IIylcs.
| Nicc-President-J. II. Dawkins,
Sccrctary-H. NJ. Zealy,
Trcasurer-J. X. Davis.
Member of County Executive Com
mittcc-Amos T.. Dnyis.
Capt. Haync McMcckin, the late
president, on retiring from the Chair
| spoke rs follows:
GENTLEMEN-This little meeting is
oYr first step ill tic campaign Of 1880.
The contest promises to b0 lively, earn
est and we'll sustained. The two great
parties arc preparing to make q su-
prcme effort for victory. The Rcpub-
licans, conscious ofimpcnding dissolu-
ton. will exert the fierce energy of
despair, embittcrcd by the reflection
that the loss Of prestige is attributable
alone to their misconduct. For hold
ing unrcstrained control Of The govern
,ncnt they enjoyed and abused it dur
ing many years; and at length, from
tancicd security, permitted themselves
to indulge in liccntious legislation to
crafty malice. The Reconstruction
Acts, their untceling enforcement and
dreadful consequences, require only
the harcst allusions to recall to our
minds the horrors ofnegro domination.
General decentralization 4nd corruption
grew apace. The highest officers Of
tho government were infected, and
Grantism, to go no lower for an in
stance. became and remains tho svno-
nym of habilual misconduct in office.
A revolution ensued. The best cle-
mcnts of their party rejected the nau-
seating dose. Sufficient detection fol-
lowed to give the Legislative depart
mcnt to the Democrats and enable
them to place The result of the presi-
dental campaign Of 1876 in doubt,
where it still remains. The facts war
rant stronger expressions; but let
these suffice. Their defeat in the en-
suing elections Involves their final
overthrow, because they can scarcely
expect to rcanimatc u party that is
held together only by sectional hatred
and the sclf-consuming passions en-
gcndercd by war. Although thus
handicapped, nevertheless they do
not undertake this conflict without re-
sources. Their leaders are men Of the
finest parts and skilled in political arts.
Democratic blunders are numerous,
and above all, the cry"Solid South" can
be made to appeal with force to the
sectional pride of the North ern people.
Let us for a moment examine this sub
ject with candor from q Republican
standpoint. Two-thirds of the Demo-
cratic members of Congress arc from
the South. From sheer force of num-
bcrs, therefore, the national Demo-
cratic party appears to be subject to the
control the Southern wing, at any
time it may think proper to claim lis
prcrogative. Should Democratic
president be elected, tho executive as
well rs the Legislative department pass
cs into the hands Of the Democratic
party, and thus that portion Of the
Union SO lately engaged in an effort
to destroy it will attain ascendancy in
tho government thereof. 1t is mani
fest, then, that this cry can be made
with fatal effect if unfortunate blund-
crs OH our part so occur as to give
point to its application. Under a
favorable yieW places the Democrats
on the defensive, and renders their
situation one of painful dclicacy.
90 not presume to suggest what line
of argument on this point our able
leaders may think proper to adopt;
but we who live in tho midst cali
claim to be familiar with the convic-
tions and sentiments of our people,
and may, with becoming odcsty, ask
tl,e pertinent question; Why is the
South solid? In reply, we can truth
fully affirm that wo are not solid as
against a just and impartial admins
tration Of the government because
controlled by Republicans, but solid
only in our SORROWS and suffcrings and
in our desires and efforts for relief.
We wonld with equal solidity gladly
have extended q cordial support to adj
ministrations of o less PARTISAN tone.
But we could not lick the hand thai
bruised us, nor tlwn upon those who
spurneQ us with scorn and contempt.
Sclf-rcspect suggested only one course:
silent submission and manly fOrtitude
under unparalleled wrongs. This is
the extent of our offence. Lot us ill-
dulge the hope that the Republicans,
in urging it as evidence of our rebel
lions spirit, do violence to their real
sentiments, since their conduct in this
matter evinces an incrcdible absence
of magnanimity aud transccnds tho Or
binary limits of party malignity.
With one additional observation
shall leave this subject. 1t has appar-
,ently been conceded that the Sonth
CO.. .trole the Democratic party. This
concession must bo materially modi-
fled. Southern influence is potent
because Of the Qlliance Of the two
wings, Northern and Southern, of the
Democratic party. All attempt to
uso this poWcr to promote private
views and Interests of tlie South to tho
general dctrinent, would dissolve the
alliaMce and destroy Southern power.
A Amoro. effcctual check to toSouthern en-
croacllments, therefore, cannot be dc
rived oven by the ingenuity of the Re-
publicans. The true power rests real
1y in the Northern wing. Hence,
"Solid Soutlt' means nothing dan
<rnrnnc CnuE In .;onc fo,, ~