Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-09-14
Col. ThOsnpsOn's Great Cam
pafsn Speeches.

Upon being introduced to tho largo audi
ence at Anderson, Col. Thompson said that
there was in the constitution Of every man
and woman some feeling Of superstition,
and at the beginning of evory undertaking
they were accustomed to look forward for
favorable omens. Where could this oam-
paign begia under better auspices than hero,
upon this historic ground, where six years
ago that revolution was inaugurated which
restored the State into the hauds of its own
peopIel Ii was here that the inspiration
OF success could be caught in the smiles Of
the women who will ever keep South Caro-.
lima truo to her traditions of the past and
the hopes of the future. 1t was hero that
tho campGres we're to be lighted which will
continue to brighten into perfect bluze
from tho mountains to the SEQ, leading on
to certain victory and honor with victory.
No appeal for unity is needed 10 Anderson
County Tho ouy hopo for the peace,
prosperity and harmony of all our people is
10 the continued supremacy of the Demo
cratio party. There are and can he but
two political porties 10 the State, the Re-
publican party and tho Democratic party.
The Republican party has been tried. It
held power for eight years and built up for
itself name of infamy never tcforc writ-
ten in the history of ony country. Tho
people cannot afford to let this party, under
ony guisc or by whatever name dcuomi.
mated, regain control of the government
They do not intend that any but honest mcn
shall rule in South Carolina. No party
shall rule in this State that cannot insure
equal justice to all men of every race and
condition. Standing fairly md squareIy on
the platform ndopcd by tho Democratic
State Convention, we propose to give
greater prosperity not cnly to those of our
own household of faith, but to all men Of
every race, color, condition and PARTY. All
men who want to live in peace und harmony
must fall into line. lie who is not for us is
against us. If we stand together tho
blessing of peace and harmony will be made
more LISTING aud their benefits secured to
all classes. COL Thompson then referred to
tho taxing power as distinguishing the
Anglo-Saxon civilization and the great
revolutions resulting from its abuse. This
Is the highest power entrusted to tho ser.
wants of tho people, and if it is exercised
faithful account must bo kept aud for its
abuse full punishment demanded. 10 show
that tho Republicans had abused this
power and piled upon the people mountain
load of debt, careful statement of figures
from the State 1resurer's books was made.
Such carnival of corruption never before
prevailed in any country. The public
treasury was robbed of the taxes of tho
people; obligations were incurred that
threatened to crush out tho ycrv life
OF the State; bonds were issued whioh
there was no chance to redeem. In three
years of Republican control the debt was
raised from $5,500000 to near 500 900,
ooo, and then the crew who had imposed
these burdens on this State resolved unon
reputation. Under Democratic admins.
tratlon the debt of the State is about
So.oUO,O0O; in round numbers onlv y
million dollars moro than the emount of
the debt OF the time Of Governor O1r's
administration. Tine interest on the State
securities is promptly paid, and the credit
OF the state has been re established upon
fa'r and honorable basis. With suoh sta
tistlcs before him no man oertainly can de-
clare preference for party which has
already put tho brand of infamy on his own
works. When the Democrats secured con-
troll OF the State the public school system
was IN disorder aud confusion. Debts had
pcen piled up, tie teachers were unpaid,
the school houses were open only three
months in the year, and when tho teaohers
got from twenty five to thirty cents on their
certificates they were fortunate. The plan
adopted by the Republicans was to require
oil the school tax collected in the different
counties to be sent to tho Stale treasury.
II nevor was returned to the schools. The
books of the State Treasurer show that the
unpaid balances of the State appropriations
for the support of the schools Of 1877 were
Slo4.7O4 Tho whole debt reported then
was S2O9 $40. Subsequent Investigation
has shown that this amount is below the
truth. The Republicans now owe the
schools in Anderson County $6,256, which
wos stolen from the treasury. In 1877 the
school attendance in tho State was 46,OOO
whites and $4,000 colorcd. In 1881 the
attendance of white children 81 900 and Of
coIored 1000. The length of tho school
session in Anderson has been increased
from three months under Radical rule to
six months under Democratic administra-
ton. Tie whole expense Of State Govern
ment last year, not including tho interest
on the public debt, was S283,5T6. The
sum set apart for the support of the schools
was s354 900. In the light of these facts
it must DO conceded that the Democratic
party is the ouly party that nan preserve
peace and insure good government in South
Carolina and the pure administration of
the laws. The public school system is not
now perfect system, but We have been
laying its foundation broad and docp upon
which finished structure may bo built.
The inscription ovor tho entrance To tho