The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-11-03
To the Democrats Of South
Carolina.

The few days which intervene be
tween this and the I'd of November
may be decisive of the election, Ma
tional, State, and local; and in view Of
the Importance of the issues involved
and the absolute need of success, the
State Executive Committee appeals to
the Democratic clubs and voters
throughout the State for united and
vigorous action.
The failure of the Republican party
to openly nominate State ticket has
lulled our people into a sense of secu-
rity, and has inspired the belief that
there is no real contest, no need Of
work, and that success will come as it
came in 1878. Nothing could be
more delusive or destructive: Apathy
now is fatal, and supineness will only
pave the way to defeat.
There is contest before US not on
ly for the Electoral, but for the State
tickes. We feel authorized, from the
information We have, to say to you
that the Republican party will pre-,
sent an unbroken front on election
day in support of the Greenback
ticket, aud coalescing with that small
faction Of the people, will strike under
their banners to win Republican
victory. The instructions have been
already given, the orders issued, the
combination of forces arranged, and
the bargain struck, which unites the
Greenback party with the Republican
for defeat throughout the State of the
Democratic Electoral, State and local
ticket.
The remembrance of that dark Pc
riod from 1868 to 1876 is too vivid
for you to tolerate the thought Of
agein passing under Republican rule.
We have realized the blessings Of
Democratic government. The reforms
which have come are not imaginary
nor are they mere party cries for pollt-
ical effect. They are real and sub
staptial, visible to the whole world,
felt and recognized in business circles
everywhere, and admitted by even
the most bitter and hostile journals.
Peace throughout the State; the ab-
,senee of all race collisions, the equal
and Just administration of the laws !;
security to life and property; the re-
duction of taxation and expenses, and
a marked and general increase in ma
terial prosperity, are the fruits of
Democratic rule, and the results of
the overthrow of Republican DONNA
tion.
To Us the success of the Republican
aud the overthrow of the Democratic
government means far more than an
ordinary change Of political rulers.
It means the destruction Of every ma
terial interest, the paralysis of all In
dustries. 1t means the return to power
of ignorance and corruption, a new
era of extravaganza and wasteful and
shameless expenditure, an increase of
State debt and taxation. It means a
venal Legislature, a corrupt Judiciary
and an Executive poWerless to enforce
the laws. It means daily recurring
strife of races and constant. sense Of
Insecurity and danger. Under that
woke we cannot and will not again
pass. .,
The bitter lessons of the past will
be lost unless they teach US that it is
only in the unity and energy of the
Democratic party that the hope OF
safety lies. By these means we won
in the great struggle of 1876. By
these, and these alone, can We win
now. The intense enthusiasm of that
campaign called out every voter. The
full strength of the Democratic party
is needed now. On that, and that
alone, can we rely. No party ma
chinery nor political management, no
secret counsels nor subtle contrivances,
can avail. To rely on these is to trust
to a broken reed. The race is to the
swift and the battle to the strong; and
victory on the I'd November will range
itself on the side of the heaviest bat
tallioDs. It is for you and US to see
to it that the heaviest battalions march
under the Democratic flag.
The one paramount duty Of those
who hope to preserve the civilization
they have inherited, and the prosper
ity they enjoy, is to be active and
earnest for every man to work as If
success or defeat rested on his indiyid-
uh effort, and not to rest from his
labors until the last man has been
brought out and the last ballot polled.
Upon those who have been clothed
with power as executive officers in the
counties, or chosen by the people as
their standard bearers in the contest,
will rest heavy responsibility. To
them their fellow-citizens look for
guidance and example. With them
is the real and active management Of
the campaign. The State committee
can only exercise general supervision
and direction. The struggle in each
county must be under the leadership
of the local Executive Committee,
and success in the counties means vic
tory in the State.
The lines are drawn and the issue
Joined. Those who are not for US are
against Us. There is now neither
room nor place for Independents or
third party of any kind. No matter
under what flag they serve or what
battle-cry they utter their vote is
against US if it is not with US. Con-
sciously or unconsciously, they are
Syorkino for opr defeat.