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

soIe COuntieS. Let no delegate 70 the
state Convention DO appointed before
they hear this joint discussion.
After some discussion, on motions
to amend, the platform was adopted.
Mr.. Padgett, of Edgefield, offered
the following:
Resolved, For the purpose Of cdu-
eating and arousing tho masses we
will proceed to suggest candidates
for Governor and Lieutenant Cover
nor who favor these measures, and
we ask those who disagree with us to
do likewise. Without excluding any
candidate who may desire to enter
the race, let us have a full and fair
discussion and q free fight inside the
party lines, and lot the majority rule.
1t will remove it's discomfort, act rs
a school for training our public men,
strengthen the party for its conflicts
with radicalism, and be of untold
benefit to the people of the State.
Mr.. j. Il. Harrison, of Grecnville,
then offered as a substitute the fol-
lowing:
Resolved, That it is tho sense of this
convention that no nominations DO made
by this body.
AS was expected, here came the
tug of war. A storm of discus
sion was precipitated by this inter
lection of denominations or no nomi-
nations," and hot debate of two
hours duration ensued. Up to this
time the proceedings of the convon-
ton, though marked by great con
fusion, were comparatively tame but
when this question was sprung, there
was girding Of loins by opposing
parties, and all signs betokoncd that
there was music in the air.
Mr.. Irby, of Laurens, moved that
the substitute be tabled. This was
defeated.
The discussion was opened by Mr..
Mcqueen, of Chesterfield, in a
speech opposed to nominations. a
number Of delegates made speeches
pro Ind con. the discussion lasting
at least two hours. There was n call
for Mr.. Tillman, He said:
There are mon here" said Capt Till
man, "who arc so narrow, so prejudiccd,
so poisoned that they arc ready to say
that | am speaking for myself. 1t is
true that my name, without any active
movement OH my part, is connected with
tho Office Of Governor; it is truo that |
tho Shell address, but, as God is my
Judge, l had no idea of doing anything
for myself. Yct it has been said that
Iillman had como out of his shell and
shown his head. Now | would like to
know what is Tillmanism p
will yield I will try to explain Tilman-
ism, as am accredited with being the
author of the term"
Delegate Tillman yielded, and Delegate
Dargan said he defined 'rillmanism to be
this very Conventional departure from
the general usagcs of the Democratic
party. He went on to say that he
thought Tillmanism good thing for
South Carolina if this Convention would
stop right here without making nomina-
tions-"
Delegate Tillman: 81 want it under
stood that whatever else | may be | am Il
simonpure Edgcficld Democrat. Zap
piause. This Convention has Just
adopted Il platform, every lmtc of which
was written by me. You have swallowed
Tillmanism whole, unadutcratcd,
straight. 1 don't ask you to swallow
Tillman. | don't ask you to nominate me
for Governor. All ask is that you put
up man to represent this PLATFORM
We arc not divided, and We arc not going
folly and idiocy to do SO. We are simply
trying to change the methods of govern
ment. inaugurated the fight five years
ago, at Bcnnettsvillc, alono by myself.
took the position that the farmers were
imposed upon, that they were heavily
taxed, and that they should have relief.
But let me como back to tho present.
My head and heart are SO. full that
could talk for hours and I don't want to
delay this Convention. Cries: Go ahead
-therc's plenty of time before us.'] |
want to show yOu that it is not to my
advantage to get this nomination. Sup
pose | am nominated and accept the
nomination, what is there ahead Of me
The bitter opposition of disgruntlcd
Democrats Men, plenty of them, will
preach from the house tops and say
There, told you so, he has been want
ing Office all the time If accept this
nomination, | put myself solitary and
alone against the combined intelligence
of this Ring. | will have to abandon my
plantation or hire some one to look after
it for me, and | will have to meet the
heavy expenses Of travel throughout the
campaign. Yet say to you that the re-
form element of South Carolina have
reached the Rubicon. If you don't cross
it now, you may as well go home and
you had better never come here. If you
ask me to lead this fight, you call upon
me to lead forlorn hope, but you will
have at your head the only man who has
the brain and the nerve and alb V to
organize the common people against the
arstocracy. Talk about Democratic
form of government. This is an aristo-
cratic form of government that we have
here, for here Democracy means the rule
of the best men not Of tho people, and
this gives rise to ringism, bossism and
corruption. You have adopted Il plat
form. What is the use of having plat
form unless you put man before the
people who knows it, endorses it, has
slept over it, and can explain il to the
people and fight for it and give it life and
force? | don't ask to be your leader.
But if you put me there you may be sure
that III fight for it. I have been villiiicd
and abused by the press. Columns of
abuse have been hcapcd upon my head.
1t is true that | have also said some
harsh things, but then you see don't
claim to be an angel If a man smitcs
me on one cheek | don't generally turn
tho other to him. Pm just III Edgciicltl
Democrat, and when any one jumps on
me Pm going to knock him or try"
This is, of course, only a summary
of Mr.. Tillman's remarks. They
were not long, and they were heartily
chccrcd at times.
Much confusion followed. During
the roll call it was well asccrtnncd