Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-06-05
{For tho Kcowec Courier.
Ttlln. anism to the Front.
BY G. Il. d. d.

has this movement, headed by Till
man, aroused so much determined
opposition by tho heretofore leaders
of tho Democratic Party2 1t has
been defined by its opponents to be
an "indcpcndent movement" and as
an "unusual and unfortunate move.
ment outside the party" yet such
objections arc mwarrantcd, because
no ono of its advocates has been
shown to be disloyal to the party, OF
declared his unwillngncss to abide
by the arbitramcnt of the Demo
cratic Party, fairly expressed through
it's regular channel.
There are none who realize more
scnsibly the necessity of preserving
intact, at this juncturc, the suprcma
cy of our party than the supporters
of this movement. This is a fight
for self-govcrnmcnt upon an eco.
nomical basis, ,oithin the party-all
principles, measures and men con-
stituting the issues of the day--will
be Mt the September Convention de-
cided satisfactorily. and tho grand
old Democratic Party go forth from
the deliberations of that Convcn-
ton united, purified and invigoratcd
with new life to defeat it's old cnc-
my, the Republican Party, in No
vcmbcr.
The early call of the March Con
vcntion and its action in adopting a
platform, in appointing leader to
go before the people in defense of
those principles, was such an unprc-
ccdcntcd move Of the farmers that
it has filled with dismay and conster-
nation the ringstcrs and aristocratic
aspirants for Office, that the howl
since raised was reasonably to be en-
pcctcd. This move, however, has
demonstrated the ability of the
masses to exercise forcthought in
the affairs of government and COM
mon sense in the selection of men
who arc in sympathy with their
views and wishes, that the wiry poll
tician will be practically shclvcd in
the political contest Of the present.
Is the charge that tho movement
thus inauguratcd, as U,fort,mute,
true? No, not even docs it threaten
the disintcgration of the party.
We fail to sec anything in it at va
riancc with the spirit Of Democracy.
We hold that the discussion of
principles and measures as this is,
strictly within ranks, right of first
Importance among any people who
arc intrustcd with sclf-govcrnment.
The neglect in the past to have as
pirants for official honors come be-
fore the people and the discourage
mcnt by the press of any who at
tempted it, with the cry "you'll split
the party" is, in our opinion, the
fruitful cause OF the present agitated
and disquictcd condition Of the
country. The obnoxious results of
this gag law is apparent in the pres
ent State officials, who are, as n
class, advocates of cXtravagant ap-
preparations, believe in high sala-
rics, &c, and the conduct of the
State Government on scale not in
keeping with the ability to pay of
the people in their present impovcr-
shed condition. The reform Of such
m abuse of power is the aim of the
Farmers Movement and advocated
by its leaders, Tillman, Shell and
others, which appeals to the sense OF
right and fairness to every voter in
he State. 1t is now in the power
Df the people to forever smash ring
rule in South Carolina, if they but
make use of The means this move
ncnt has placed within their power.
The success of a Tilman State
ticket will not give the reform so
much demanded. That must come
through the Legislative and not the
Executive Branch of the Govern
mcnt. This being true, the nomina-
,tion and election of members to
,hc Legislature, pledged to sustain
he platform adopted by the March
Convention, now becomes the duty
,f all the farmers in every county of
he State. Remember that the Leg
stature is the supreme law-making
md unmaking power in the State;
hat from this source alone are we
o expect Il full enjoyment Of the
blessings Of an economical govern
ncnt. 10 secure the election Of
'traight-out men, pledged to use
very means in the interest of re-
'orm at this juncturc, should be
lcarcr than amy personal desire for
'flicc to every one committed to
his reform. The adoption OF some
concerted plan of action by the
armcrs and Their sympathizcrs we
to be the duty Of the hour.
Let some plan that will be satisfac.
.ory to all who desire legislative
lonorS, and at the same time insure
harmony among the people, be
adopted. II such policy is not pur-
sued there will be division, disrup-
ion and failure Of the movement in
Dconcc County.
Therefore, to guard against divi-
sion and insure success, we would
suggest that delegates elected by
the sub-Allianccs to the County
Alliance Convention be instructed
by their sub Alliances as to who