The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-06-09

OHt ""I t4iGi VI JOol Nu'i|0, loi I1io
time has come agaiu when 90 son of
the State could look to a higher posi-
tion than that in connection with
which you have named me. 1t was
only in the dark days of our history,
when the alien and the dress of our
own population riotcd in power, that
shame was ever suffered to approach
South Cardinals Executive. \ long
list of illustrious names adorned it in
the better days of the past, and Hamp-
ton and Simpson have filled it in the
present However | may fail, if your
nomination becomes an election, in
the ability with which, as compared
with these, the trus: be discharged, |
confidently pledge you that the banner
you place in NY hands will not be
lowered, and that no shadow of dis
honor or taiut of personal ends shall
dim its folds.
You have not, gentlemen, called me
to lead a holiday pageant. The des-
tinics of our people for veal or for woe
are involved in the success of the
political struggle in which we are
about to embark. The redemption of
the State from the rule of Radicalism
was worked out in 1876 by efforts
made in the white heat of revolution
ary fervor. It was maintained in 1873
by triumph won over an opposition
not yet recovered from the demorallza-
ton of defeat. 1t must in this year
be secured by a conclusive victory, if
the efforts Of the past are not to
go for naught But your opponents
are uerved by the knowledge that they
are now fighting for their life, and
they may be backed up by powerful
extraneous aid. One more crushing
defeat aud Radicalism as a party,
such as we have known it, will cease to
exist in South Carolina.
But it may be in this Presidential
year one of the great National parties
will fud its lease of power dependent
upon the restoration to rule in our
State of the hybrid concern, which
here assumes and disgraces its name,
and that party may seek its purposes
regardless Of the local ruin it will in
flic:. It is the part of wisdom to be
prepared for this, and to marshal our
forces to meet it successfully. We
cannot rely upon the fervor Of 1876.
Such efforts are not repeated in gen
Grafton. We can only succeed by
thorough organization and diligent
work, and in preparing for this you
have. in my judgment, seized upon
the true plan of battle. When the
canvass, with its distu urbiug influences,
is limited to the short period necessary
for the only purpose it can effect, the
arousing and soldifying our friends for
the final effort, you have given the
time to DO the work which will be
most powerful in accomplishing the
result. This is contest to be won by
votes.
There is q portion of our people
who are reliable to a man, and who
heed no summons but that of the
Democracy. To bring these to the
ballot box is the only problem. A
very large part of the remaining por-
ton of our people have now voted
Fith the Democracy in two successive
campaigns. We have only to poll the
same votes and to supplement- their
number. The time you have wisely
given to the purpose will enable your
executive authorities, both State and
county, to quietly and patiently or
ganize our forces to move when the
signal is given. And opportunity is
afforded to recruit our RANKS By the ezz-
ertion of the full influence of the indi-
vidual Democratic voter, that each
man a man policy, which We have be-
fore found a powerful factor Of sue
cess. Accepting in perfect good faith
the enlargement and debasement Of
the suffrage which events have COM
PEELED, we will and must preserve the
life of the Commonwealth BY keeping
it's control in the hands Of its better
element. Seeking to deprive no man
Of his franchise, conceding freely to
all men their rights under the
law, the God-given right of self:pre-
servation remains, of which neither
laws nor constitution can deprive
people, and We will assert it by those
appeals to reason, to interest and to
personal associations which influence
men everywhere. We have found
them potent before, and We will find
them potent now. [ have spoken of
the approaching canTass only from oar
local standpoint, because the necessity
of local success is to US supreme. But
our interests and welfare cannot be
discovered from the National De-
mocracy. Until the General Govern
ment is restored to the methods and
doctrines Of its founders, until the
American doctrine OF local govern
ncnt in local affairs is again made the
keystone of the structure, until there
is blazoned upon its portals once
more, that 'the powers not delegated
to the United States by the Constitp.
tion nor prohibited by it to the
States arc reserved to the States re-
spectively or to the people'-until
this is done the position Of civilization
in South Carolina and of all that
makes the State it for fFeemen to
live in is as best but that Of armed
neutrality. Our people want peace.
They want repose from revolution and