Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-01-30
COURIER.
:. A. THOMPSON. d. A. SMITH. II. T. JAYNEs
by THOMPSON, SMITH & JAYNES.
II. Il. JAYSES
THURSDAY, JAN. 80, 1890.
Chairman Shell's Manifesto.

We publish this week the address
of Col. G. w. Shell, Chairman OF
the Executive Committee of the
Farmers Association Of South Caro-
lima, to the Democracy of the State,
calling for convention of all Demo
Gratis who sympathizo with the views
and purposes of the Farmers Move
ment as therein set forth, to convene
in Columbia, March 9th, proximo.
While we advocate most of the
reforms specified in this address, yet
we regret to see the wholesale and
indiscriminate charges of weakness,
inetficiency and corruption in our
State Government as therein made,
and the bitterness of the Indictment
drawn. The manner in which it has
been composed, we fear, will do the
cause Of ture reform and economy
more harm than the address will ac-
complish of good. However, all
fair, impartial, and unprejudiccd
minds will separate the chaff from
the grain, and calmly view the ne
ccssitics Of the hour as they appear
in the light Of mature dclibcration.
The importance of the matters in
yolvcd cxhort us to lay aside all
passion, prejudice, envy, jealousy,
sclfsiiness, malice, and approach
their consideration in the spirit Of
true patriotism.
About two-thirds of the address is
devoted to restatement Of the
fight in the last Legislature over the
Clemson College bill. SO far as this
institution is concerned, we believe
it has been started on n sound finan-
cial basis, and its continued support
by the State must and will depend
on the value of the scientific and
agricultural knowledge there i'm
parted to the youth of our State.
SO long as it continues to fill sslong
felt want" we need have no fear
about the forthcoming appropria-
tions for its successful equipment.
We should not yet lose sight of the
fact that we are at present only try
ing an experiment, which may, or
may not, prove to be all that it's
most sanguine friends predict and
now believe. We are persuaded
that it will accomplish great good
for the farmers, tnd be the means of
great advancement in the agricultu-
raj interests of our State; hence we
have laborcd for its early establish
mcnt. But it can readily be seen
that its practical usefulness must de-
pend on its management, and how
far the knowledge there gained will
go toward solving the hard problems
which confront the farmer in his
everyday work. This must be the
dcscsive test of the knowledge i'm
parted, and of the continued pros
perity of the institution. This is
the key which will unlock the door
10 all future needed appropriations,
and thereby remove the Clemson
College issue from the domain of
politics. Let, therefore, every en-
dcavor now be made properly to
man and equip the College for a
career of great and practical useful
ness. This fact being once fully
demonstrated, all that is asked for it
in the address of Chairman Shell
will be readily granted. Nothing
more should be asked, and nothing
less should be granted. We do not
believe the people have any fight to
make against the South Carolina
University or the Citadel Academy,
unless the friends and supporters of
these institutions make the mistake
of arraying them in opposition to
the Clemson College. This, it is to
be hoped, will not be done; for such
conflict of forces would doubtless
jcopardise their welfare, by compcll-
ing the farmers, in order to preserve
their own institution, to make war
on both the University and the
Citadel. The friends of these eek
isting institutions" surely have too
much prudence and wisdom to pre-
cipitate such fight, but if they
should, let the challenge be no soon
CT given than accepted.
The other reforms referred to in
the latter part Of the address we
deem very important and will gladly
hail the day of their successful ac-
complishmcnt. No longer should
there be permitted the wrongful
delay to rcapportion the representa-
ton according to the population of
the various counties throughout the
State. 1t is notorious fact that