The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-05-27
Parties.

| ed territory With varied interests anu
a mixed population; but we are dispos-
ed to doubt it's application to a state of
narrow limits like South Carolina,
where the population and interest are
SO nearly hcHaGGgeeHH geeHH60aS. 60 There- are
only two elements in our population,
tn, white and the colored, and the
interests OF both are identical, based
upon agricultural products and upon
whatever system of government that
will yield the greatest protection tolife
and property. These elements, there.
fore, left to themselves, would very
naturally unite into one great political
party for mutual protection. That
they have diverged is due not to any
principle of action belonging to either,
but to outside influences directly op-
posed to the best condition of both.
After the war Northern fanatics found
them standing in allegiance to each
other and saw that it was for their in
terest, both religious and political, to
keep them so. Hence every effort was
made by "these people" to array the
races against each other in order that
they might reap an abunGant harvest
of plunder and spoil by the division.
These influences were checked in rs by
exposing the dark ways Of the thieves
and murderers who controlled them,
and have been made comparatively in
effective since then by the experience
of those vino were used as tools to
further their nefarious designs. The
inside history Of penitentiaries may
give the subsequent lives of many of
these gentlemen and just social ostra-
cism stamps the rest as unworthy of
the respect, to say nothing Of the con-
fdence of the people among whom they
live as self-condemned criminals. Their
former tools are already supremely in
different as to their fate, and as wealth
and comforts multiply, under Demo-
cratic rule, around the homes of our
colored citizens, they will despiSe the
very memory of their bondage to such
vile miscreants. All the requirements
of the community and every feature Of
our social condition point, at this time,
to political unity and it will be worse
than folly-suicidal for any class of our
citizens to think Of division in the
Democratic party. Its principles are
broad and liberal and, when properly
used, conduce to the well-being of
every citizen. Its aim is the best gov
ernment at the least cost to the govern
ed; and. if this result has not been
reached, it can only be obtained by
unity of action, particularly on the
part of the controlling element of our
population. The colored voters hold
the balance of power and, in case Of a
division among the whites, will join
that faction which promises them the
largest share in controlling the govern
ment. The success Of such scheme
would make the division permanent
and once more put in jeopardy the best
interest of the whole State. In this
crisis, therefore, when new problems
are being solved, new schemes are being
devised and new patriots are seeking 10
enter the approaches to office, our peo-
pie had better think seriously before
they hazard the unity of the Demo-
cratic party. Our interest being one
and our aim being the same, safety and
prosperity for every citizen lie not in
division but in the political union of the
whole population. 1t cost too much to
wrest South Carolina out of the hands of
political thieves for us ever to abandon
her again to their tender mercy. The
type of patriotism which finds its origin
in the commingling of French, English
and German blood in the veins of the
citizens of Orangeburg will not suffer
so ruinous a disaster to befall the State.
Mr.. Tillman Replies.
"Farmer Tillman" rises this week to
reply to the many criticism of the peo-
4 1