Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-07

the right to vote either for or against it. Blu
in my Judgment it would be unwise to vot'
for it's adoption, for several reasons. Apar
from the expense that would be entailed upol
all the people in the formation of new coun
ties, there are several other considerations en-
tering in the question. 1t is claimed for th'
measure that it is designed to strengthen th'
Democratic party in the Senate. With what
confidence can we look for that result will
the overwhelming negro maJorities in many o1
the lower counties -Orangeburg, COlleton
Kershaw, and others The statistics show
vast difference in the area and population o
the lower counties, as compared with the up
per counties of the State The lower counties
have a much larger area of territory, and theil
colored population vastly out-numbers ours
Colleton, which is As miles from one limit tC
the other, and 80 miles wide, has a white pop
ulation Of IL, 184 and a colored population OF
24,202-in round numbers a colored population
double that of the white. Orangeburg is Z;
miles from one limit to the other and in some
places 90 miles wide. 1t has white popula
tion of 12942, and a colOred population OF
2S, 453-more than double that Of the white
Georgetown has white population of 3,46t
and a colored population of IL, 49, kershaW
numbers 1892 whites and 13, ,646 colored. And
so on with other counties. Suppose these
counties were cut up and divided-those EMU
merated thrown into twenty new counties, 1t
would have no other effect than to increase
the Republican strength in the Senate while
the upper counties, ON account OF lack OF ter
ritory and population, would not admit OF be-
ing cut up. 1t is a dangerous experiment ;
and with the United States government under
control of stalwart Republicans who menace
our State on every hand, is this time to
think of adopting such al amendment to our
State constitution, thereby increasing their
advantages over US and aiding them in their
means of oppression do not doubt that the
proposition was submitted under patriotic mo-
tives. 1t could pass through the Legislature
only by Democratic votes but should the
Democrats incorporate it in the constitution,
it will stand there, and should the Republican
party ever come in power they could so use it
as to- perpetuate negro dominion and Radical
misrule over the State. It will be for the peo-
pie of South Carolina to say whether or not
they want it, but my judgment is that the
adoption of the amendment would be unfor-
tunate for the best interests Of our people,
am coming before you at a time when an
effort is being made to bring before the peo-
pie, besides Republicans, Greenbackers and
INDEPENDENTS rejoice to say that l have
ever been a Democrat, and though l have not
been before you as a candidate for any office,
I have never failed to respond to any call dll-
ring the campaigns in which Democratic prn-
ciples were contending for the mastery over
vice, corruption and ignorance. l have al
ways regarded the welfare of our people as
bound up in the Democratic party-the party
of liberty, happiness and prosperity to the pe0-
pie. Under that party the United States gov
ernment prospered before the war as it has
never proSpered since. In her legislative halls
and cabinet was galaxy of statesmen whose
wisdom was exerted only for the welfare OF
the whole country.
The Democratic Convention that met in Co
lumbia gave to the State wise and admirably
wOrded platform and ticket that will unite
the people from Kings Mountain to the sea-
board. Our people cannot forget the gulf OF
infamy in which South Carolina was plunged
from 1868 to 1876. What we have won in
rescuing our grand old State from that lnta.
famous pit of degradation, we must and will
defend. We must stand shoulder to shoulder
in this campaign as in the past. The su-
prenlacy of white rule is essential, not only TO
free and honest government, but CIVILIZATION
ITSELF
The United States Congress spares no efforts
to put South Carolina under Radical rule. 10
maintain an honest State government we must
be united. Never again must we permit our
beloved State to fall into the hands OF such
adventurers as Moses, Scott and Chamberlain.
There is not country on the globe, governed
as South Carolina was under the extravagan-
ces of that infamous crew, that could have
survived that plundering Had it continued,
under the rate Of taxation and robbery to
which we were subjected not al acre OF land
in the State but what would have been under
the tax-gatherer's hammer. In the brilliant
movement which Overthrew this horde, Hamp-
ton led. AS we did in that glorious struggle,
50 must we now stand united. Since 1916
South Carolina has written one OF the bright
est pages in her history, and with the ola Gar
olina spirit she is regaining her former pros
perity. Through her platform she proclalms,
in the State justice and equality for all, to en-
sure harmony and good will between the races
in the Union, no sectionalism in policy or feel
ing-an indissoluble Union OF indestructlDle
States-one flag, one country, one destiny. II
our countrymen would stand Oh true grounds
of patriotism, that destiny would increase in
grandeur and power with the coming years,
and our whole people of this broad land could
he as one in spirit as well as letter.
The spirit and unity Of South Carolina has
been equal to every peril from Colonial days
to 1876, when from the humbled position OF a
Prostrate State, she lifted herself up to regain
her former prosperity. 1t must now he our
spirit and determination to retain what we
then won, as due to ourselves, our wives and
our children.
The Chairman next introduced
CAPT. j. c. wITHERsPOoN,
candidate for the House of Representatives:
He began by excusing himself on the ground
of having just come across the country TO
ion the speakers, and OH the question OF the
amendenment, which was be-
ing discussed, was taken somewhat by sur
prise, and had not given the question much
consideration. But in viewing the question,
we must look further than the limits OF ork
county, and take into consideration the well
fare of the whole State My judgment is
that it is premature and unwse to discuss 1t
at the present time. But while expressing
this opinion. can state my own individual
views as regards the proposed amendment. l
shall vote for it. shall be true to the party
that proposes it as party measure. But L
don't think we should bring the question into
the present canvass. With what has been
said on this subject as regards the lower coun-
ties, 1 don't propose to join issue, Those
counties have Republican majorities, but they
have always been controlled, and can be con-
trolled again. The great object should be to
prevent them and the State from going Repub-
iican. am willing, OH this question to risk
the people. II you send me to the Legislature,
propose to serve you faithfully. am op-
posed to the lien law, and have been opposed to
it for six years. 1 regard it as a curse to the
country. 1t encourages extravaganza and
destroys the manhood of the people. This
wear our farmers are blessed with abundant
crops, and now would be good time to cut
off from it. If the farmer cannot run ten
horse farm without it, let him run five-horse
farm; and if not a fve-horse farm, for Gods
sake, let him run one-horse farm, or such a
ono ia no can RIM independently. Would we