The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-07
GREENVILLE. =. C. July 16. 1egW


Capt. &. u. Mcll, Lawcns, S. g.:
Ny DEAR SIR:-Iours of the 24th
inst, was received last evening. l re-
gret that you have adhered to Il de-
cisiom against the proposed conference,
us | am sure you have misconceived
the main object of comforting together
upon the political situation. 1t is also
unfortunate that our personal inter
view, (Which was had at your request.
TO avoid such result, rs l understood
it,, should have failed to impress YOU
with the real purpose Of the confer
ence. | sought to convey the idea that
the paramount object in view was the
concentration of forces to Il particular
end, namely, The unity and perpetuity
Of the Democratic party in South Caro-
lima III the close of an exciting and
evcntiul campaign.
1t was not my purpose to make the
conference an occasion for urging the
adoption Of the primary system in
choosing delegates to the September
Convention. That matter will be
settled ut an early day, but as YOU seem
to hinge much objection against the
conference on this score allow me to say
that | do not ut all agree with you as to
the effects of a primary election for
delegates, such as is proposed for the
consideration Of the August Conven-
ton. The people are going to have
primary elections in every section of
the State, and to elect delegates by this
method is not "precipitatingn any
thing 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 fric-
ton or unnecessary excitement.
confess that the adoption Of this
method Of selecting delegates would in-
terfere with the prevailing mode, by
which q few men are deciding upon
representatives for whole counties, but
nevertheless I give the primary plan
the preference in all cases.
But | wish to say on the main point
at issue that it was expected to meet in
conference for 4 free interchange of
opinion upon the political condition of
the State, and not to gain advantage Of
any faction, nor to bind any one to a
given course against honest convictions
of duty and responsibility.
The strained relations existing be-
tween the factions and the unusual
heat engendered by the campaign now
in progress do not augur well for the
future harmony Of the party in South
Carolina. and my chief object in sug-
gesting the conference was to secure
adherence to regular methods and
l,nt l,<
no reasonable excuse for splitting the
party in twain, as has been threatened
in certain contingencies, nor justiica-
ton on the other hand for the enact
ment of measures that will prove often
sivc or degrading 10 any portion of the
party. We are fellow Democrats, and
whatever affects one Of us will surely
touch th" other in our political rcla-
t"MS.
So long rs there are open questions
to be considered there will continue
friction and conflicting influences, and
1t Is idle to tell grown men that they
can secure peace by an ignoble sur
render
But when the contest is over between
the factions there will he the test of true
ilittilib'"t anu tAdtltfl COuIuNc as 10
who can best serve Il united party.
The manifest duty of all is to preserve
the honor and uphold the integrity of
our ancient Commonwealth. Beicv-
ing that the patriotic impulses of the
gentlemen composing the several COM
mittees would readily suggest the
means for this most desirable end, and
relying with confidence upon their
Willingness and readiness to serve the
whole State, | made the suggestion for
IN early consultation as to these means.
and very much regret that you have
declined to meet us for this purpose.
AS the newspapers are already sur
missing as to the brief Interview we had
the other day. and to prevent any pos
shle misunderstanding Of its purnort I
will furnish this correspondence for
publication.
With sincere regard, very truly yours.
JAMES \. HOYT,
Chairman State Dem. EX. Committee.