The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-06-17
FARMERS CONVENTION.
4 BUGLE BLAST FROM GEN. BRAT
TON, OF FAIRFIELD.

zeal md unreasonable and Utterly Re
.artlle,s of the Difficulties and Conn
pIications of the situation III south
Carolina.
In Il letter to the WiDnsbOr"' News
and Iearld Gen. John Bratton explains
his position iii reference to the Farmers
movement. He says:
| desire to be distinctly understood as
according to the advocates OF the farm;
ers movement the honesty Of purpose
and good faith that claim for myself.
and indeed have ever claimed for the
sturdy farmers Of the land i'll public
matters. The expression ito the man
ner born" with all the devoted fidelity
to country that it carries with it. has
ever been associated in my mind cs-
peciallv with the owners and tillcrs OF
the soil. Their interest arc as fixed as
tie soil itself. They cannot be stored
in safes. or boxed and sent oil to foreign
vaults in the time Of trouble. They
must abide the fate Of their country.
whether it be devastated By All invading
foe. or rent and torn bv internal dlssen-
sious and class conflicts. or calmly rests
under the peaceful reign of law based on
mutual concessions. II they are not true
in their hearts to the best interest OF the
State. where are we to look Tor fidelity:
With no doubt as to their motives |
hoved and expected that the Convention
would be an effective agency OF agitation.
and bv ITS consideration and discussion
Of the agricultural situation reach some
INTELLIGENT conclusion as to the close OF
the depression. or ut least. throw some
l"ht on the subject and to that extent
1llay the unrest and discomfort which
seem to prevail. 1t was with feelings
Of disappointment andrcgrct that found
mvsclf unable to concur in the action or
the Convention or in the assumptions
on which it seems to have been prcdlc-
ted. say seems. because in the publish
ed proceedings the ground on which the
action was based are not clearly and
definitely stated. There seemed to be
q vague. indefinite idea that the body
uolitic was afflicted with lcprosy and
ioneycombcd with rottcDncss. and that
amid this rubbish Of lcprosy and rotten
ness. concealed somewhere. is masked
enemy 10 the agricultural interests OF
the State. | cannot concur III these
assumptions. cannot concur III the
idea that is tioatcd on the air. not fixed
and located, that injustice has been
done to, or Justice been withheld from.
the farmers of the State by any other
class in the State. or that the agrlcul-
tural depression prevailing is in any
,y,r. s.:apc or form attrl'y!tah!c 20 t.
conduct of our State Government. The
administration Of our Government since
'-S has never been cXcclled in purity Or
in fidelity to constitutional obligations.
end il will continue to be an honor and
blessing TO the people OF the State as
,onc as it is controlled by apolitical or
caniZation which combine in harmonious
union the conservatism, the intelligence
and the character Of all classes OF our
pcoplc. whether the offices arc filled by
farmers or not.
IF there is an individual, or a class,
organized or disorganized in the limits
Of the State, in hostile attitude to tho
AGRICULTURAL interests OF the State. | will
venture to say that he or they arc so
closely masked as to dc!y the skill Of
the best scouts Of the farmers army to
locate them. TO my mintl lit is all
baseless assumption---puttin% up an
imaginary enemy in order to get up 4
fight.
But grant the correctness OF these
assumptions the measures proposed
reach and cure the evils: DO they tend
to generate or call into service healthy,
sound. elevated. liberal and enlightened
public sentiment: This is the only
reliance-thc single and sole agency hy
which rottcnncss in Government like
ours can be reached and cradicatcd.
TO meet the assumed condition (Which.
by the way. has straycd entirely away
from the lncipient object of the Convcn-
ton. namely agricultural depression and
its causc) the farmers arc called upon to
organize as class to enforce class leg
islation-to capture the Legislature to
take what legislation they want. They
arc to call convention OF the pco-
nle. and rcorganizc the Government
to suit their views. In the meantime.
such institutions rs the assembled
wisdom of all classes Of the state
have been able. with patient ami
earnest labor IN adinStiny complications
and surmouut;ng dnicultlcS. TO build on
the ashes OF our runs. are to be lrllcd ut
one blow as State institutions. and.
without regard t" cost. converted INTO
class establishments. II the farmers "r-
naniZr ior such Il ;"ht they will inaugu-
rate class conflict in which the actions Of
mcn are governed. not hy moderation
and wisdom and calm consideration i"r
the common veal. but hY passion and
prejudice. Will this. | submit /" the
orcanizcr> call int" action that sound.
healthy public sentiment thai YOU need
10 cure r0ttrMncS> III the Government:
1t seems that one ri the PURPOSES E!'
the movement is to take hy legislation
!or the benefit al llr farmer tirir Just
share of the hubble treasure. " hen the