The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-06-17
Jan I>G
with which crippled and debased poll
tical sentiment emerges from the con-

ti:ct?
We will have lowered our standard Of
education. especially that of the farmer.
bv substituting. regardless Of the cN-
pense. set Of special class schools for
our State University system. BY special
class education we will secure the per-
petuation of the class dlssensons and
Strife which we have ihaugratcd. The
State will not be allowed to concentrate
her educational strength. and: i'll her
impoverished condition, exercise the
highest and wlsest economy in attordlnS
opportunities for the moral and intellec-
tual culture of her sons. and. breaking
down class lines. train up all into one
hearty. healthy, strong family mutually
dependent, mutually supporting and al
ways struggling together for the welfare.
honor and glory of their common moth
er, How this is to benefit the farmer
as an individual. or The farmers as Il
class. or the agricultural interests Of the
State, it will be difficult to show.
There is one assumption that l
neglected to mention. which is correct:
and that is, that the farmers constitute
The majority Of the dominant political
party of the State. This IS Il first-classs
ground for not organizing rs farmers Tor
political purposes, as in that dominant
party only can they WELD their political
strength wisely for the welfare of the
State and for the benefit Of themselves.
But the programme is nappcal to them.
not to assert that strength as citizens
and Democrats, but to organize it and
WELD it as class power for class pur-
poses. This power is to be welded
within the lines of the Democratic party.
That is the avowed and. | believe, the
sincere intention Of the movers and
organizers. Will such a movement con-
tribute to the harmony and efficiency Of
that party: Is there any conservatism.
and spirit of concession in it.: Is there
not the shadow of the spirit that would
rule or ruin? &.
.Agan-it is farmers organization
to carry out platform political in its
character and other than that of the
Democratic party. How is the member
ship of such an organization limited to
Democrats? Is it not unturling flag
that might attract even judlclous
enemy CT Democracy and under which
lie could iudiciously fight? There is,no:
provision against it. Can we afford tins
sort Of thing in our condition? Fear
fully handicapped by the weight Of 4
ncwly-hedycd and dcbascd citizenship,
is it not suicidal to trittcr away our
strength for such purpose, when it is
all needed to uphold the thin veil Of the
law between us and licentious and de-
bauchcd government, and with it. if 1t
ever comes again, the dcbasement of our
standard Of free citizenship? From
such a copdtion there Gan be DO restora-
fer -. = ~ ..
The situation here III South Carolina
devolves on us Of the white race the
highest duties Of citizenshlp-reQuires
the maintenance of the highest standard
Of citizenship. While orators. writers
and sentimental phllanthroplst theorize
at a distance on the race question, it is
our fate to be in the forefront IN the
practical solution Of the problem: The
vital question with us is-can we, under
the load thrust upon us, maintain a
healthy, liberal. enlightened public and
political sentiment, or are we to sue
cumb and be dragged down to its level
BY taking care of ourselves in this mat
ter, we render the highest service and
do our full duty to the State, and, in
deed, by thus holding up to his view a
high and worthy standard we render the
only aid IN our power to the imam and
brother" in working out his own destiny;
for that he must, under the laws Of ma
ture, do for himself. But the point is
made for application to ourselves and
our duty in working out our own destiny.
Is it not the part Of wisdom, is tnot
the dictate of self.presel 1ation, to con-
ccntratc our torce-our intellectual and
moral force, our educational and pollti-
cal force, our Anglo-Saxon race force
and apply it to the accomplishment of
this purpose?
How can we do it: The only agency
in our reach for etlecting this combna-
ton is the Democratic party-thc
organization not of any class, but of all
classes-thc organization of thc people.
1t was framed for the purpose and used
effectively to lift the political sentiment
of the State from a condition Of runous
and disgusting degradation to a healthy
standard. and thereby restore to its allcgi-
ancc to the Constitution the Government
of the State 1t is the only means ut our
command for maintaining the fidelity Of
Government to the expressed will o! the
people. II is the only inStrumcntalty.
through which we can concentrate Our
strength for the supreme duty Of the
situation. So long as it will require Of
the officials Of Government fidelity to
constitutional obligations in the conduct
of their offices, and maintain the rule Of
their Constitution. SO long may VIC
await in calm security the dcvclopc-
mcnt of the destiny )f the black race.
The Democratic party. with I'LL its