The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-08-08

world that magnauimous spirit char
ncteristic of South Carolinians, re-
mcmbering that Ito err is human,
but divine to forgive.
For the State Democratic EXecu-
tive Committee | entertain the high
est regard, so also with my distin
guisheu friend Gen. John ID. Kennedy,
for whom | feel more than ordinary
concern, but l can not, to save me, see
any good that could result from L
Joint conference such as proposed by
you.
The August Convention meets in
twenty days. Its action will be con-
elusive as to the matter of primary
on no primary-the latter condition
being most probable. l deprccatc
the thought ofprecipitating Il primary
upon the people during the campaign,
and nothing could be devised that
would contribute SO much to divide
the Democratic party. The very
least friction Just now is the most
desirable thing hoped for, and the
adoption of any suggestion looking
toward the perpetuation OF conflict
ing influences, such as would result
from O hotly contested primary elec-
ton, Il quarter Of a century would
hardly heal the breach incident to
such proceeding.
1t is my opinion that the complec-
ton of the august Convention will
reflect the ultimate result OF the Sep
tcmber Convention, which if true,
would be sufficient to satisfy all rca
sonable minds, and would also give
abundant time and opportunity to
heal all the bitter IlsappointmentS
caused by reason Of defeat. For
these reasons | most respectfully dc
cline TO invite the committee over
which have the hOnor to preside to
participate IN III conference proposed
by You. | have til" honor TO DC, very
respectfully,
Your Obcdicnt Servant.
G.. w. SuELI.,
CHM Cam. Com. Farmers Ass II. $. {.
GHEENvILLE, $. c.. July 26. 1890.
Capt. G.. w. Shell. Llurcns. 5. c.
My Dear Sw--Yours Of the oath
inst, was received last evening. [
regret that you adhered to decision
against thcproposcd conference. rs [
am sure YOU have misconceivcd the
main object of comforting together
upon the political situation. 1t is
also unfortunate that our interview
(Which was held at your request to
avoid such Il result, as | understood
it, should have failed to impress you
with the real purpose of the confer
oncc. | sought TO convey the idea
that the paramount object in view
was the concentration of forces to Il
particular end. namely, the unity and
pcrpctuity of the Democratic party
in South Carolina. mt the close of an
exciting and cventful campaign. 1t
WAS not my purpose to make the con
ference an occasion for urging the
adoption OF the primary system III
in choosing delegates to the Septcm-
be- Convention. That matter will
be settled at an carly day, but us you
seem to hinge much objection against
the conference on this scorc,allow me
to say that ] do not mt all agree with
you rs to the effects Of n primary
election for delegates, such as pro
posed FOR the consideration of the
August Convention. The people are
going 10 have primary elections III
every section of the State. and to elect
delegates by this method is not pre-
cipating anything they dO not want
1t would be easy enough to arrange
for the election of delegates at the
same time the county officers are
chosen in this way, and it is possible
TO do so without friction or unncccs-
sary excitement. / confess that the
adoption Of this method of selecting
delegates would interfere with the
prevailing mode by which II few men
are deciding upon representatives for
whole counties, but nevertheless L
give the primary plan the preference
i'll all cases.
But, wish to say on the main point
at issue that 1t was expected to meet
in conference for free interchange
OF opinion upon the political condition
of the State, and not to gain advnnt
age for any faction, nor to bind any
one to given course against honest
convictions of duty andresponsibility.
The strained relations existing be-
tween the factions and the unusual
heat cngcndcrcd by the campaign
now in progress do not augur well
for the future harmony Of the party
III South Carolina, and my chief OBJ
jcct i'll suggesting the conference was
to secure adherence to regular meth
od, anl recognized usagcS, 80 that
there will DC no reasonable excuse
for splitting til" party in twain. u
has been threatened IN certain con
tingcncirs, nor justification on the
Other hand for the enactment of meas.
urcs that vii! prove offensive or dc
grading to any portion of our party.
We arc fellow Democrats, AMI what
ever affects one ofus viii surely touch
the other III Our political relations.
SO long rs there arc open questions
to be considered. there will continue
ri i.'ton and conflicting influences, and
It is ,llc to tell grown mon That they
can scc".", place by an ignoblc sur
render. l., when the contest is
between the .9ctions,thcrc will be
Tie test Of true manMdo =: vi exalted
courage as to who can bcsl serve Il
united party. the manifest DUP of
which is to preserve the honor aud
uphold the integrity OF our ancient
commonwealth In i,pliavipp th,t tIn