The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-31

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The farmers Of South Carolina are awake
ut last, thank God and will know how
to reward or punish him and others ac-
cordinS to their deserts. AS am on the
witness stand, and mention has been
ma lie of the ''parallel courses Of Mr..
Iillmsn and Of Capt. Dawson in the
State conventions | will simply state
why | voted for Mcssrs. Sheppard and
llutson-wc did not run together on at
torhey general and all other votes were
purely accidental, certainly not the re-
suit Of any understanding" Edgcficld
voted solidly for Mr.. Iutson for two
reasons First. because of resentment
against Grecnvillc, which had found
votes for everybody but Governor Shcp-
pard.
Secondly, Edgcficld and Hampton are
IN the saline congressional district and
are on very friendly terms.
AS regards my support Of Gov. Shop
pard: Long before Gov. Thompson's
resignation and therefore before there
was the least probability Of his being a
candidate, Gov. Sheppard and had dis
cussed the issues presented by the far
mcrS' convention and found him in full
accord with us in everything except the
calling of constitutional cor vcntion and
the abolition Of the military academy.
Therefore when nc became Governor
and was naturally considered in the race
as his own successor, had to decide as
between him and others. We made
strenuous efforts to find a strong candi-
date of our own, We had tried TO con-
vert some men whom we thought avail
able. but failed. They couldn't see it."
and when the convention met we were
virtually 1T sea. We lacked 40 votes of
being able to control the nomination
and therefore were forced to choice
among TIE avowcd candidates. Now
why did urge Gov. Sheppard as our
candidate ?
First, because he came nearest being
on our platform. Without any selfish or
ultcrior design, SO far could sec. he
had so expressed himself long before
Gov. Thompson's resignation. and re-
duced his ideas to writing M my request,
after had decided to support him.
Second, He is man Of ability, who
has filled every position he has occupied |
With credit to himself and to the State
He pays his debts one hundred cents on
the dollar and there is no blot on his
that ever heard of, and he
had fallen heir to the office, so to speak.
have been accused Of hypocrisy in vo-
ting for lawyer after making such Il
blow about farmers rights and the
question asked, why ] did not oppose
him in our county convention | had
no reason to oppose him. lie was in
accord with our views. we had been
playmates at school and friends ever
since. He lived in Edgeficla and was
her son. What reason did | have to
him l had never clamored
for New Dcal'' and | had asserted
that the farmers movement only aimed
10 secure our rights-not to ostracise or
impose on other classes.
am damned by the editors and re-
oortcs because they say this is my pur-
pose, and when ] disprovc it by voting
or a man who is not farmer am damn
I'd because do so. am in the inter-
esting situation described in the dog
,rel.
"lle can and he can't,
He will and he won't: !
He'll be damned If he does.
And he'll be damned If he don't.
The farmers Of South Carolina must
lecidc the question as to whcathcr I
AVE betrayed them: misled them or
loceived. do not claim to be infallible. !;
,ut do claim to be honest and unset
fish. defy any man to prove the con-
rary. If the people send the right men :,
o the legilaturc we will secure our
lights as farmers and all needed reform
If we do not, will then, if =
live, try to find out why and to tell
hem who is to blame. B. II. Tillman.
Edgefcld, s. c.. August, "a, 1886.
Reunion Of Orr's Regiment Of Rifles