Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-10-30
THE DANGER OF THE HOUR.
IN APPEAL TO THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS
OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
HEADQUARTERS STATE DEMOCRATIC
ExEcI1nINE CaAMITIEE


COLUMBIA, S. c., October 90, 1884.
To the Democratic Voters Of South carolina :
The political enemy is hard at work in
the middle and lower counties of South Car
olina, where the Republicans always expect
to obtain their largest vote. There is not
much display. Their public meetings are
few and unimportant, but the ralliers OF the
party are passing from house to house. noti-
flying the colored people to vote early on
election day and telling them, in the usual
Republican style, that they will imperil
their freedom if they fail to vote for Blaine.
In some parts of the State secret gatherings
of the colored people take place every night
and the speakers fiercely eXhOrt their hear
ers to be ready to fight for their rights.
The Democratic organization is not as
thorough as it should be, and the Democrat
ic voters, it is feared, are not fully alive to
the necessity Of eXerting themselves to the
utmost to bring out the full Democratic
vote. With the Republicans there is little
or no need of organization, for the leaders
rely on appeals to the ignorance and antip-
athies Of their supporters. It is prudent,
therefore, to assume that the solid party
strength of the political enemy will be ar
rayed against us. The danger which con-
fronts us is due to Democratic apathy ri tar r
more than to Republican activity. The
way to meet it, and the only way, is by in
cessant political work from this time to the
closing of the polls on election day. South
Carolina may we'll prove to be the pivotal
State in the present gigantic contest. If
the Democrats carry the Whole of the South
ern States, together WITH New York, New
Jersey and Connecticut; or if they lose New
Jersey and Connecticut and carry in their
stead the State of Indiana, Grover Cleve-
land will be the next President of the United
States but if South Carolina be lost to the
Democracy in this emergency the Demo-
Gratis must carry New Jersey or Connecticut
in addition to Indiana, or must find in the
Northwest or among the Pacific States nine
electoral votes to take the place of those
given to Blaine by reason of indifference
or over confidence in South Carolina. 1t is
best that the Democracy of the State should
know the whole truth. South Carolina's IS
electoral votes will be given to Cleveland
and Hendricks if every Democratic vote,
white and colored, be duly polled and
counted on election day. Any lukewarm-
ness, any carelessness in any County in
South Carolina, puts the State in jeopardy.
There is no security, no certainty of victo-
ry, but in dilligent, untiring and systematic
canvassing during the few days that are
left.
The County Chairmen, as the immediate
representative of the Democratic party, are
directly responsible for the result of the cleo
ton in their respective counties. Full in
structions have already been given to them,
and it cannot. be supposed that they are
unmindful of the imperative need of arous-
ing every Democratic voter to a sense OF his
political duty. The County Chairmen are
now urged and instructed to communicate
Immediately with the Presidents of the
Democratic Clubs and the heads of SubOr-
dinate or auxiliary organizations in order
that not a Democratic vote be lost by mat
tention or want of care. It is not too late
even now to visit every Democratic voter
in every county and insure his attendance
at the polls.
The people, when the nature of the con-
test is explained to them, will not be found
wanting. They who have already dared
and Won so much for the Democratic party
will not falter in this supreme hour.
Besides the canvassing Committee ap-
pointed by the County Chairman, there is
room for volunteers. Intelligent citizens
everywhere can render valuable service by
calling on their neighbors and showing them
the Importance of voting at the approaching
election. Every Democratic voter who con-
stitutes himselfa a committee of one can reach
dozen voters or more. And, again, in
this way only five voters in each election
precinct will make difference of about
three thousand votes in the State.
There is much to accomplish, and the
time is short. 1t will be the fault of the
Democrats who realize the momentous char
acter of the present political struggle if their
friends and acquaintance are not by per-
sonal appeal made as ardent and earnest as
themselves.
The united efforts of even handful of
sagacious and jealous Democrats in every
county will give cohesion and energy to the
Democratic host All along the line there
will then be unity and strength, with de-
termination to command the success which
the State requires and deserves.
JAS. F. IZLAR,
Chairman State Dem. Committee.
VILE JONES, Secretary.