The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-05-06

light and liberty which was their right,
he was afraid that when tho era of the
Now South did come it would find the
lands of the farmers in tho hands of
aliens, and the sons of the present own
ers sunk into condition Of slavery more
abjcct and degraded than that of the
slaves which their fathers held.
"Say, you men of South Carolina, 1"
exclaimed Mr.. Tillman, ''who own the
soil and pay three-fourths of the taxes,
how do you take this system of dry nurs-
ing, this intolerable insolence?" He
urged upon them to find out what was
the wish of the farmers on this subject
and then go homo, and in the primary
assemblies aid in securing true men to
represent them, he cared not what was
tier calling, whether lawyers, doctors,
preachers or what not, so that they wore
prepared to do that which was for the
best interest of the farmers and all other
classes.
What the farmers wanted was self
government. Since 1876 tho negroes
had been corraled in q convict camp
with the Democratic party as u guard
| over them. Rhe guards had sunk into q
deep sleep, while favored few had been
fola8ing the fields and reaping all the
benefits and emol,mcnts. He earnestly
protested his loyalty to the Democratic
party, and said that 'no private citizen
had done OF riskcd more than he had in
1876" If the reforms advocated by him
| were adopted he believed that the bottom
| would be reached, and the future would
| be bright with hope and not dark with
gloom as now.
In the years i'll which he had struggled
to his present position as farmer he had
learned little about farming, and when
he came to die he would probably have
learned about as much as he might have
learned i'll four years at well conducted
| Agricultural College.
Capt. Tjllman's address (of which the
above is but an imperfect synopsis) was
we'll received, and was repeatedly ap-
plaudcd.
At the close of his address Capt. Till
man declared the Convention ready for
business. O
| DR.. w. H. Zimmerman, of Edgeficld,
nominated the following-named gentle
men as temporary officers: Chairman, j.
e. Tindall. Vicc-Presidents- Dis
trict, W. Z. Brooker, Lexington; Second
District, w. j. Talbcrt, Edgeficld; Third
District, j. A. Sigh, Ncwberry; Fourth
District, Nj. l.. Donaldson, Greenvillc;
| Fifth District, j. H. Hardin, Chester
Sixth District, e. j.. Stackhousc, Ma
mon; Seventh District, George Tuppcr,
Colleton. Sccretaries-O. f. Cheatham,
Edgetield, and Thomas w. Holloway,
Newbcrry.
The Chain appointed Mcssrs Thinner
man, Stackhouse and Thomas a commit
tee to inform the Chairman of his clec-
ton, and they retired and soon returned
conducting Mr. Tindall to the platform.
Mr.. Tindall returned his thanks in a
graceful speech, concluding as follows:
'The grandest of all civilizations is
that which is built upon the social
| country life of an intelligent and virtu-
Gus people. 1t shall be only necessary
for this intelligent body to announce
their wishes, and there will be found
no party in the State who will have the
temcrity to stand in th6a&ay of their en-
| forcement.
A committee on credentials, consisting
OF one member from each County, was
appointed, to whom it was referred to
examine credentials. The committee re-
tired, and the Convention took a recess
till 2. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION
On motion, Commissioner A. p. But
Ter and Master j. N. Lipscomb of the
State Grange were invited to seats on the
floor of the Convention.
Mr.. Allen, of Spartanburg, moved
that Governor Thompson be invited to
address the Convention. Mr.. Evans, of
Chesterfield, opposed the motion and it
was lost.
MI. Williamson, Of Sumter, moved to
reconsider. Mr.. John j. Dargan sup-
gested rising vote. If there were OBJ
Jcctlons or charges against the Governor
they should be made openly.
Mr.. Evans disclaimed anv reflection
on the Governor, either as an official or
as IN individual. He simply meant that
the time of the Convention should not
be taken up with general speech
The Chairman ruled the discussion out
of order, as the Convention was not yet
organized.
After q little further debate motion to
receive the report of the Committee on
Credentials was carried, and this report
was made by Mr. ClNrkson, of Richland.
The list of delegates included the names
of two hundred and scvcnty-fvc per
sons-every County in the State being
represented except Bamwoll, Beaufort,
Georgetown and Horny.
The report was adopted and the tenn
porary organization was made pcrma-
nent.
Tho Chairman said he thought the
matter of inviting Governor Thompson
to address the Convention should come
hoforp tho body, and no hoped some
member would mako o motto. l. no.
end IN to that