Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1882-10-05
The FaE1acy of New Cositu-

Ties.
SPEECH OF col. W. b. WILSON, OF YORK
COUNTY, IN THE PRIMARY CANVASS.
Yorkvile Enquirer
um here as q candidate, somewhat un-
expcctcdly. Ouly the day before yesterday
| received public call from my fellow
citizcns to become n candidate for the
House of Representatives, which call
did not feel at liberty to decline, and if |
should be honored with an election, can
only say that l will discharge my duties as
ono OF your representatives. to the best of
my ability in all measures that may come
before the General Assembly. 1t has been
long time since | have been in public life,
but l have some ideas of the duties of
legislator. In the discharge of these duties
all personal considerations should give way
to only what would bc for the welfare of
the entire pcop'e.
On all questions before tho people, you
have right to frank answer from tLose
seeking your suffragcs, and as candidates
have been called upon to express their views
upon the proposed constitutional amend
mcnt reducing the area of counties, | will
frankly give my views on this question.
You are to vote on this proposition
the adoption of the amendment, or for its
rejection. You have the right to vote
either for or against it. But 10 my judg.
mcnt it would DC unwsc to vote for its
adoption, for several reasons. Apart from
the expense that would bo eutaled upon
all the people by the formation of new
counties, there are several other considera-
tons entering iuto the question. 1t is
claimed Tor the measure that it is designed
to strengthen the Democratic party in the
State. With what confidence eau wc look
for that result with the overwhelming
negro najorities in many Of the lower
counties Orangcburg, Collcton, Kcrshaw
and othcrs2 Tho statistics show vast
difference in the area aud population of the
lower counties as compared with the
upper counties of the State. The lower
counties have much largcr area of ter
tory, and their colorcd population vastly
ontnumters ours. Coleton, which is IS
miles from one limit to the other, aud 80
miles wide, has white population Of 12, 1S4
and colorcd population of 24.202-in
round numbers a colorcd population double
that of the white. Orangeburg is rs miles
from one limit to the other aud in some
place 10 miles wide. 1t has whto pop
ulation of 1912 and colorcd population
OF 2o,453-more than double that of the
white. Georgetown has u white population
of 3,466 and colorcd population of
III. l13. Kershnw numbers 1892 whites
and 1866 colorcd. And SO on with
other counties. Suppose tho counties were
cut up aud divded-thnsc enumerated
thrown into twenty new counties, it would
have no other effect than to increase
the Republican strength in the Senate;
while the upper counties, on accout Of lack
OF territory and population, would not admit
OF being cut up. 1t is dangerous ex~
pertinent; and with tho United States
Government uDtcr tho control of Stalwart
Republicans who menace our State on
every hand, is this tho time to think of
adopting such an amendment TO our State
constitution, thereby increasing their ad-
vantage over rs aud aiding them in their
means Of oppression? do not doubt
that the proposition was submitted under
patriotic motives 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 tho Republican party ever come in
power they could so use it us to perpctuatc
negro dominion and Radical misruc over
the State. I. will be for the people of
South Carolina to say whether or not they
want it, bu: my judgment is that the
adoption of the amendment would be un-
tortunate for tho best interests of our
people.
"A Fatal Pitched Battle at Lam