The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-10-16
Rooms OF REPUBLICAN
SrATn EyECI1TTVE COMMITTEE.

|
! hoods.
Rooms OF REPUBLICAN
STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE,
COLUMBIA, S. O., October 6, 1884.
FELLOW. CITIZENS: The Republicans
of South Carolina enter the campaign of
| 1884 with .unbroken ranks. They renew
their allegiance to the National Republi-
can party, and pledge support as enthu-
siaatic and unswerving as was given when
its success depended upon them.
In spite of the malignant spirit and
criminal conduct of their adversaries in
this State they stand together united and
determined to do their utmost to defeat
at home the organization which, having
stolen power in 1876, has by misrule,
Injustice and oppression failed to stiae
the convictions or silence the protest of
those people who. through compulsioD,
Yielded to a minority of more than
10000.
We know that the means by which
they have retained power in this State
are not less fraudulent and un-republican
than were the methods by which they
obtained it revolutionary and criminal.
We have waited with fortitude for our
deliverancn from this political bondage,
and endeavored through the peaceful
agency of the ballot alone to free the
State from this usurpation; not because
| there was not abundant cause for revolt,
but because, under the conditions as they
Eexist in the South, and such effort as was
necessary to obtain our rights and right
our wrongs would result in conflicts and
consequences so disastrous and unequal
That we could not do otherwise.
Those who reproach us for our submis-
sion little understand our circumstances,
and feebly realize the situation of affairs
! in the old slave States. We likewise
cannot comprehend how the loyal people
of this country can be apparently so in
different to the real condition of their
fellow. men at the South, or will suffer
the law-abiding citizens of a great section
to be tyrannized and dominated by those
who so recently were the known enemies
of the country.
If all the misdeeds charged against
Republican governments at the South
we're true it could not begin to equal the
crimes committed to overthrow them, or
the fraudulent practices by which power
| is retained, or the injustice and vicious
acts which have characterized the Bour.
bon administrations.
The adroit Southern leaders, by work.
ing up the race prejudice which untortu-
nately prevails dormantly at the North,
and stimulating themercantiles spirit, have
closed the eyes of the country to the sub
version Of those rights which are vital
and fundamental, and without the enjoy
ment of which rightful government does
not exist.
Startling as it may seem, we declare
that there is no political offence commit
ted for the benefit of the Democratic
party in this State, ranging from assassi-
nation to the pollution of the ballot box,
where the authors and instigators are not
safe from punishment and which the
ruling public sentiment does not sane
ton.
| A truthful recital of the outrages and
wrongs Inflicted on Republicans could no
more be credited than could those unfa-
| miliar with the South comprehend the
extremes to which the Bourbons would
go to maintain their power.
We challenge history to show an ex'
| ample of greater fidelity and more
thorough devotion, under equal dangers,
suferings and sacrifices, than that exhib.
tied by the loyal and unaagging support
of the emancipated and enfranchised
citizens of the South to the party which
gave them freedom and the ballot, and
whose plain duty it is to protect them in
their guaranteed rights.
We hail with satisfaction the bright
prospect of Republican success in those
portions of the country where the ballot
is free, the count is honest and intimida.
tion does not prevail; and feel thankful
to God that the malign of the solid South
is not to be extended; we believe that in
our illustrious standard bearers, the two
leaders best able to break sectional oppo.
sition, have been chosen to conduct US to
assured victory, and are firm in the hope
that they will prove, with equal zeal and
power, the champions of Republican
citizens at the South as we'll as of Amer.
ican citizens abroad.
While we heartily endorse the princi-
pies enunciated in our national platform,
and are particularly glad that the great
subject of protection to American indus
tries, especially in the interest of the
laborer, has been 80 wisely and bravely
championed, we hold that the most vital
question to be determined at the ap.
proacEiug election is the establishment
and maintenance of the political rights
of the people; and we call upon Con.
gress to enact such laws as we are con.
fident President Blaine will recommend
to overcome this travesty on free popular
government at the South. If there be
not the constitutional power to legislate
80 as to give all citizens equal rights in
State elections, then we demand that in
Federal elections the registration, as we'll
as the management of the election, shall
be under the supervision of the General
Government.
We denounce the registration and
election laws of this State as horrible
conspiracy against the rights of the
people. The registration of the voters
| of this State as practiced is sham and
would be delusion but for the fearful
reality of its injustice and deprivations.
Not only is every Supervisor of Regis
tration an active Democrat, but the po.
sition is looked to as a reward for parti.
san services. Under the provisions of
the law every qualified voter who failed
to register prior to the election of 1882 is
disfranchised forever, without the Super
visor in his discretion deems it advisable
to allow subsequent registration, SO that
in effect the disability attaches only to
Republicans. We charge that while
Republicans are required to personally
take the registration oath, that it is not
only a common practice for Democrats to
register by proxy, but that in many
instances local politicians have received
the certificates of those Democrats in
their vicinity who failed to obtain them
through indifference or otherwise, aud
al