Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-04


YOU to 90 with US, and unless you do fear
you will get left. Please, now, don't think
me presumptious or inclined even to die
tate oradvise, where you alone have a right
to choose My simple interest in you as our
leader prompts we to write thus to you.
You may, for all know, have crossed the
Rubicon, but have not seen it. | feared
the pressure around you among the office
holders might have kept you from acting
till some said you were driven to it. Tho
l know your independent spirit don't run
in that line. a good many prominent
grangers over here urged me to drop you
line, so please don't misconstrue my motive
and take offence where we wish to help you
solid for farmers convention. Yours very
truly,
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb 18th, 1886.
Mr.. -. ly dear ,S'-There was no
liberty taken in your writing to me, as you
did in yours of the 18th, and no apology
needed. l am glad to receive letter ex-
pressing such consideration for me and
recognizing my honest efforts in the past in
behalf of the agriculture and farmers of the
State.
1t was, and is labor of love to me, and
after some thirty years spent in that way, |
am Just as deeply interested in, and as
devoted to the agricultural interests and
classes of the State and county now as l ever
have been, and l am ready and anxious to
work Zealously and independently in pro-
noting their welfare. None know better
than you and your fellow-farlners of how
for years l have urged the vital need of
organization Of the farmers of the State and
nation. This I still deem most essential to
any scheme, policy or plan that will success
fully advance their true interest, and conse-
quently the true and best Interests OF the
entire country and whole people.
To secure this, 1 should say that as an
important auxiliary cooperative machn-
cry, or strengthening adjunct, convention
composed of farmers, representing farmers,
knowing farmers, knowing what is due to
farmers, and atthe same time due to others;
ready to demad what is due themselves
and determined to accept no less; ready to
recognize and respect the rights of others;
ready to assume policy true, honest, just
and fair ready to reform and improve the
laws, customs and systems that govern and
affect agriculture and farmers, instead Of
destroying them would be extremely de-
sirable and eminently beneficial. This |,
you and others for years have been trying
to do through the grange and other agricul-
tural organizations with, I contend, signal
though partial success. Such a convention
1 shall hail with joy, and to such [ will
give my most cordial support and Jealous
aid.
But to a convention to be called and con-
trolled, appointed and organized by B.
r. Tillman, who has outraged all the cour-
tesies and decencies of life who has shown
an utter reckleSsneSS in his assertions and
insinuatons as to men and things; who
wants to do nothing good but what you and
I and many other farmers have been for
years working for, but, fear desires to
pull down, destroy and obliterate every
thing and everybody, from Hampton and
Democracy down to himself and chaos;
who is an avowed destructionist, instead Of
constructionist; who asserts that no man in
the State, farmer or other, has ever been
put in Office that did not at once and then,
become disoyal, corrupt and venal; who
proposes to destroy all the institutions es-
tablished for the benefit of the farmers by
others and has nothing to replace them
with except u college with him as trustee;
which from self sufficiency cannot realize
in any other purity of motive or honesty OF
purpose; to such convention called and
manipulated by such man for such pur-
poses, and you, and the farmers of the
State cannot look for help or good. You
say, "Mr. Tillman wrote he regretted hav-
ing to attack you but could not help it to
keep from being personal toward others.
He said you alone spoke for his resou-
tions." Still he denies my honesty of pur.
pose, purity Of motive, loyalty to my
class and insinuates that l am corrupt
politician, working in the harness of ring
and for it betraying the trusts placed in
my hands by both the farmers and the
Democrats of South Carolina. Such a man
can be no "NIoses" for me, nor can he safe
ly be for any portion of the farmers of this
State. So for real Simon pure farmers
convention, just count me in for all | am or
ever expect to he, but for "Moses Tillman"
and what he bosses count me out. l have
written you plainly, for it is my way and
due under the circumstances. AS soon as
the proceedings of the recent session of the
State grange are printed will send you a
copy and ask you to read my address which
is part of my public official record. AS to
my being continued in office, it is for the
people to say.
AS incumbent l make no claim over any
other good Democrat. My only plea is
honesty, fidelity, loyalty and duty done.
to the ranks of the farmers and Democrats
without question or murmur. But have
too much faith in the people of South Car
Olina to think l am to be punished tor not
admitting or accepting Mr.. B. R. Tillman
as the "NIOses' and leader of the farmers
or people of this State.
The importance | attach to the interest
of our class is my only apology for the
length of this letter. AS l feel bound to
freely and fully give my views on questions
of public policy when asked to do so, as in
this case, and have nothing to conceal, you
are at liberty to make this letter as public
as you choose.
With the kindest wishes and the highest
regards for yon and my friends in your
section.
am very respectfully and fraternaly,
JAS. n. IIIPSCOMB.
ANOTHER AGRICULTURAL OPINION.
Under the caption of "Watch the Law
yers," the following communication from
&mon-I'ure Farmers recently appeared in
the Charleston News and Courier:
Mr.. Tillman calls on the farmers to hold
convention so as to adopt measures to
protect themselves against everybody, and
especially against their natural enemies, the
lawyers.
1t is high time these gentlemen should
be curbed.- They are appropriating nearly
cry Congressman, all the Judges, a very
large proportion of the members of the
Legislature, and many other officials are
lawyers.
The subtle Wiles Of these gentlemen are
apparent in the fact that two prominent
members Of the bar take the ground that
the University ought not to afford free edu-
cation if they have to pay for tuition. One
says: "EducatiOn not paid for is not appre-