Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-06-10

storing family mutually dependent, mutually
supporting and always struggling together
for the welfare, honor and glory of their
common mother. How this is to benefit
the farmer as an Individual, or the farmers
as a class, or the agricultural interests of the
State, it will be difficult to show.
There is one assumption that 1 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 first-class ground for not organiz-
ing as farmers for political purposes, as in
that dominant party only can they WELD
their political strength wisely for the well
fare of the State and for the benefit O. them-
selves. But the programme is an appeal
to them, not to assert that strength as citi-
zens and Democrats, but to organize it and
WELD it as class power for class purposes.
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 contribute to the harmony and
efficiency of that party? Is there any con-
servatism, any spirit of concession in it?
Is there not the shadow OF the spirit that
would rule or ruin?
Again it is a farmers Orgaization to carry
out a platform political in its character and
other than that of the Democratic party.
How is the membership of such an organiza-
ton limited to Democrats? Isit otunfurl-
ing a flag that might attract even a judicious
enemy of Democracy and under which he
could %judiciously fight? There is no pro-
vision against it. Can we afford this sort OF
thing in our condition? Fearfully handi-
capped by the weight of a newly.fedged
and debased citizenship, is it not suicidal to
fritter away our strength for such a purpose,
,,hoo ~ &c oil noo1oH fn unhnI6 tho thin
veil of the law between us and licentious
and debauched government, and with it, If
it ever comes again, the debasement of our
standard of free citizenship? From such a
condition there can be no restoration for us.
The situation here in South Carolina de-
wolves on us of the white race the highest
duties of citizenship-requires of us the
maintenance of the highest standard of citi-
zenship. While orators, writer's and senti-
mental philanthropists theorize at a dis
lance 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
succumb and be dragged down to its level?
By taking care of ourselves in this matter,
we render the highest service and do our
full duty to the State, and, indeed, by thus
holding up to his view a high and worthy
standard we render the only aid in our
power to the "man and brother" in work
ing out his own destiny; for that he must,
under the laws of nature, do for himself.
But the point is made for application to
ourselves and our duty in working out our
W destiny. Is it not the part of wisdom,
is it not the dictate of self-preservation, to
concentrate our force-our intellectual and
moral force, our educational and political
force, our Anglo-Saxon race force-and ap-
ply it to the accomplishment of this pur-
pose:
How can we do it? The only agency in
our reach for affecting this combination is
the Democratic party-the organization not
of any class, but of all classes-the organiza-
ton Of the people. 1t was framed for the
purpose and used effectively to lift the polit-
ical sentiment of the State from a condition
of ruinous and disgusting degradation to a
healthy standard, and thereby restore to its
allegiance to the Constitution the govern
ment of the State. 1t is the only means at
our command for maintaining the fidelity
of government to the expressed will of the
people. 1t is the only instrumentality
through which we can concentrate our
strength for the supreme duty of the situa-
ton. So long as it will require of the
OH1CldlS OF Cne ROVerLllueuG lueIlCy W CoH-
stitutional obligations in the conduct of
their offices, and maintain the rule of the
Constitution, so long may we await in calm
security the development of the destiny
of the black race. The Democratic party
with all it's faults and shortcomings, is our
sole reliance, our forlorn hope, in the con-
fiict with the difficulties and dangers of
this critical period in the life of the State:
Can we afford any movement that will
cripple and impair its efficiency
But enough has been said to indicate my
views on the subject. / am forced to the
conclusion that the movement will operate
in the opposite direction from that intend
ed, and is a most unfortunate mistake. Its
fullest success would sacrifice the substance
for the shadow, and, far from benefitting
the agricultural interests of the State, would
be detrimental to all the interests of the
State and especially to the agricultural.
But the particular misfortune of such a
movement lies in the fact that success is not
necessary to enable it to do harm. The
mere persistence in it will be like a fire in
the rear and will distract and cripple our
strength in the great conflict in front.
In my judgment the action of the Con-
vention was ill~-considered and inconsider-
ate, radical and unreasonable, and utterly
regardless of the difficulties and compiled
tions of the situation here in South Car
olina. JNO. BRATTON.