Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-04-03

F"oA.o A,y"y1 ptOtkocN OuSlT SOCiul
and family relations are artist ocratic,
and tho Legislature has more than
once acted IN n way to create sus-
picion of sinister Influences at work.
The people know these things and
have DSen mourning for years.
Their cries have gone unheeded, and
until the agitation for reform, known
as the "Farmers' Movement" began
four years ago, there appeared to be
no remedy for these evils other than
submission or an Independent move
ment. But one was invented or dis
covered by a plain farmer, who had
never been connected with politics.
Capt. r. r. Tillman began to auitate
Tor reform inside the party. His
record as Democrat, his character
as man arc unimpeachable. The
ability no displayed excited admira-
ton, and the people rallied to his
support from almost every county.
The farmers began to move; they
are moving still; they will keep on
moving till they reach their destina-
ton, and that is to reform the party
and purify the State Government.
This is our business here, and we
have but to act in harmony with pro-
per discretion to accomplish both at
the next election. Instead of his
being abused, the State owes heavy
debt of gratitude to the man who
showed us how to accomplish these
ends and yet maintain the unity of
the Anglo Saxon race.
One word more and / am done {:
Taunts and accusations have been
heaped upon me as an office seeker,
a demagogue, trying to array class
against class-a man who had "slan-
dcred and misrepresented the State
and it's officers"
To the first charge can only say
that | am clerk of the Court in Lau
rens County and my people have
kept me in that place for six years.
have been chosen to that place in
primary election and the last time by
a vote of 1900 to 600 for my op-
poncnt.
| am not here seeking any office at
your hands and l would not accept
one if rendered to me. l am actua-
ted by no selfish or ambitious motive,
and have spent my tine and money
for four years for the love of the
cause. If it succeeds under nv
leadership it will be glory enough
for me. l have never attacked any
class of my fellow citizens. In Lau-
rens County my friends are among
all classes, and those who accuse me
of arraigning class against class
have simply said what they cannot
prove.
In regard 10 the address of the
executive committee, every one
knows am not responsible for it
alone. AS chairman | signed it, but
it is the work of the committee.
But endorse every line and every
assertion made in it, and I challenge
any one to disprove the charges.
We are ready to 60 to the people on
these issues, and if they are ISLANDERS
and lies it can be shown that they
are such, but thus far not one has
been rcfutcd, and I know they can
not be.
In conclusion, gentlemen of the
Convention, | would say that this is
the most important meeting that has
been held in South Carolina since
1876. There is much to be thought
of, much is to DC done and we should
be in no hurry. We should deliber-
ate calmly, hear all sides patiently,
"be sure we are right and then 90
ahead" Differences Of opinion we
are bound to have. Acknowledging
the patriotism and loyalty Of one
another, let us differ in kindly
spirit and yield obedience to the ma
jority. If, after the majority has
spoken, we act in unity and move
forward rs band of brothers, sue.
cess is bound to crown our work.
In obedience to the executive
committee, | announce as temporary
chairman Mr.. w. j. Tolbcrt, of
Edgetield, who will proceed to per-
feet the organization.
a committee Of one delegate
from each county was appointed on
credentials. Mr.. S. Y. Stribling
was elected as the member from Oco-
nee. The only real contest was
from Spartanburg, which had two
delegations. Two delegates from
one delegation and eight from the
other were seated. Thirty one coun-
ties were represented. The counties
unrepresented were Horny, Hampton,
kershaw, Georgetown. The delega-
ton from Oooncc, consisting Of
Messrs. A. p. Crisp, j. r. Earle, Jr.,
Andrew Bcardcn, j. a. Johns, S. Y.
Stribling and W. j. Neville, were
present.
Ex-senator Tolbcrt, Of Edgefeld,
temporary Chairman of the Conven-
tion, WAS made the permanent pre-
siding officer. Mr.. j. f.. Wannama-
ker, of Orangcburg, was elected
Vice President. Messrs. John D.
Duncan, of Ncwbcrry, and j. w.
Stokes, of Orangeburg, were elected
Secretaries.
President Tolbert addressed the
Convention at length. His remarks
were singularlv free from bitterness
and exceedingly tolerant in tone.
He regarded this as the most i'm
portant convention that had ever
been held in South Carolina. and hc