The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-02-12

more Importance in National politics
than Hampton, and in showing how b.
was deprived of his and our rights, which
may yet be restored, only do the Ma
tional party service; for believe tht
present Democratic demoraiization ant
the fa'iure in New York is largely dut
TO the opposition of Hampton and Others
to Mr.. Tilden, and the outside Demo
cratic as well as Republican support and
encouragement received by John Kelly
Senator Hampton continues TO harT
upon my opposition to him in the Senate
and In general, and upon my GreenvilIe
speech, as if did not hav- q right tc
honestly differ with him iyr I firmly
believe that his policy has led us into
many serious mistakes and damaging
compromises, both in State and National
affairs, which even now seriously embar.
rass and reflect upon the party. am
willing to have my opposition, so-called
in and out of the Senate, as we'll as INV
Greenville speech and card, thoroughly
Investigated, 30 that its nature may be
more thoroughly understood.
In the first place, If we had stuck 10
Straightont Democracy iu 1876 instead
of adopting Fusion methods, We would
have carried the State overwhelmingly
both for Tilden and himself, jus. as he
{ .rried that section of the State where
the Straightout policy was inaugurated
and prevailed, and then he would have
been saved the necessity OF making any
compromises with the Radicals in State or
National affairs, for the truth is he came
near losing the State by his much.talked
of "conciliatory policy" It was the
Straightout aggressive policy which
saved the State in spite of Grants bayo-
nets, as every one knows, not 1900
negro votes, as Hampton says. The con-
servative, reform and conciliatuYy poli.
cies Of plans of campaign had been tried
by Gems. Kershaw, Butler and others
until our people were 80 discouraged that
many seriously discussed making terms
with Chamberlain, and the State was ut
last saved by the enthusiasm, courage
and devotion Of cur white people, who
arose in their might and said, "We will
preserve our State and civilization :" and
when the negroes saw that we were in
earnest they gave way, although they
| had previously laughed our mili. and
| water Fnainn policies &c scoTn. Fair
comparison between the sections in which
| the Straightout and Fusion methods pre-
jority came from, and which policy gave
i
/ .secess1ry, do again with greater ease, for
now we can have a fair election, having
| the State government in our own hands.
and everything 10 changed and peaceable
so that we are in o condition to conciliate
those who SO long refused to listen to us.
agree fully. with Governor Hampton's
remarks condemning fraud ir elections,
and am glad to see him tako The posi-
ton which ] have always held concern.
ing State and National politics, and our
State debt, and hope thai ia the future
| we may have no advocates or apologists
for fraud in any shape, which should be
rebuked BY the people in the approaching
elections.
To return to my so-called opposition to
Gov. Hampton and our personal rela-
tions. That my opposition has not been
| CT personal character is shown by nv
| speaking of him in the highest terms on
| divers occasions. In speech before the
Taxpayers Convention of 1874, whilst
he was on the banks of the Mississippi, I
| allcded to him in the most compliment
| ary terms. Every one knows the part
took advocating his nomination in 1876,
and how IaDDred to secure his election.
At Edgefeld, in 1873, after my so-called
| opposition began, alluded to him in the
following language: 81 have listened
with pleasure to the words of wisdom
which have been uttered by our Chief
Magistrate, Gov. Hampton. It is with
pleasure that we welcome him again to
Edgefield. It is we'll known among the
members Of the General Assembly that
have always favored his denomination
and reelection, although / have honestly
differed with him. now say to him that
Edgefield accepts what he has go well
said, sWe can honestly differ and be
friends Sc:h, sir, is the reciprocal SEN
timent: of the entire Edgefe!d Demo-
cracy."
In Spartanburg, few days later,
suggested Hancock and Hampton for
President and Vice President in 1880, in
the event OF the nomination of Grant by
she Republican party, and at Greenyile
a few days later alluded 10 Governor
Hampton as follows: "Compare Hamp.,
ton with Chamberlain. It is like COM
pairing Hyperion to Satyr." This il
the speech abont which so much was said
and TO which Hampton and others took
exceptions because said that we might
soon hear dining and dancing with
negroes excused as Hampton Democ-
racy" This being sensitive point with
him il was then that the gagging process
began by his instructing the executive
committee not TO assign me to speak at
any place where he was to appear, thus
endeayoT:fg TO rule me ont Of the eaa.-
paign and denying me the freedom of
speec'i aud the opportunity of replying to
him in p1blic.
This is he sum and substance of my
opposition 70 Senator Hampton, and il
will be seen sherefiom that although I
have treated him with the greatest
courtesy and consideration, have nomi-
mated him for positions and compliment
ed him in the highest terms, stfll in his
opinion / am not even respectable
source from which anything Trustworthy
can emanate; what say Is t'ritteriy and
absolutely false." and am 60 s'nnwise,
naIIOW anu; dangerous, ina5 ne mas
never even Consulted" me OH any occa-
sion. may have had some little per-
senal feeling at times, when felt that,
although had shown the desire 20 do
him full justice. he had never recinrn.
Gated the feeling, and that had his con.
slant, unrelenting opposition and weight
to carry, he quietly welding power and
iil6uence that had largely. helped to
race in his hands. But 1 repeat that
my, opposition has been In the honest
discharge of my public duty, and 1 have
too often risen above mere personal feel.
| ing to do him justice and honor, my State
snd country g service, &, he damned now
without fair inquiry into the nature of
Az