The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-06-18

vcned upon this occasion, Tor the purpose or
hearing Il discussion upon the issues or the
day, by the various candidates Tor position o
the State ticket.
In behalf Of Abbeville county, would bid
you, gentlemen, welcome, thrice welcome tc
our mldSt.
AbbevIlle audience, that courtesy and atten
tion, to which the gentlemen who are TO ad-
dress you, are justly entitled. Although the
weather is excessively warm, ana notwlth
the programme, yet feel assured that each
OF them will be accorded patient hearing
from you.
n candidate for Governor. He Is q worthy
son of South Carolina. and not stranger tc
the people OF Abbeville county. l now have
the pleasure Of introducing to you, Gen
John Bratton, Of Fairfield.
General BrattOn's Speech.
General Bratton said somewhat MS follows
Ladies and Fellow Citizens: Your noble
old county is well known us being at the head
of noble counties in the grand old State oi
lat this point amid enthusiastic cheers
flowers were thrown forward In great prolu
sion, until the table and the floor of the plat
form on which the distinguished speaker
stood, were literally covered. General Brat
ton was evidently greatly touched BY the
manifestation OF love and respect from the
Abbevlle ladies, and for little while his
feelings we're unnislakable. Continuing. he
said.:l
My friends. was going to say something Of
fail me, and am unable to express my nd
miraLion for the noble women of Abbeville
county. Abbeville county has been the
mother OF noble men and women who have
in the past shed lustrc on the fair fame ol
South Carolina. Without fear of invidious
distinction, l would say that Abbevile has
furnished US beacon light of constitutional
sons have built up high PEDESTAL upon
which to proclaim her honor and glory. II
is for you to say whether you will maintain
those principles amd enforce H those rights sn 1I
them, in your presence thaC l draw inSpra'
tion.
With slight variations of matter and
verbiage. Gen, Braiton's speech was not en-
tirely unlike. his speech at Greenville. Be
cause of the limited lime at our command
and because OF our inability to do better, we
copy the speech which lie delivered In Green.
Vile, and which has b, been published IN the
The situation demands the earnest and
thoughtful consideration of the people of the
entire country, particularly of the people o
this State, the voters, on whom at least more
than on the mere personnel OF their officials
depend not merely on The policies OF an ad
miniStration of government, but the churac'
ter Of the institutions under which we live
Although my life has been spent rather In
thinking anu doing. 10 the neglect OF that cul
tivation of the gifts OF speech which enables
men to express clearly, Iorcibly and attract
lively their thoughts and ideas, am here tc
contribute, as best may, to the agitation
which will aid us In performing intclligently
our duty as citizens. But were Possessed o.
the fiery eloquence OF Il McDutfie, or the cul
tured rhetoric and elocution OF a Preston
they would he devoted us my humble efforts
will be on this occasion TO that fair and frank
statement which will tend to divest the minds
Of my countrymen OF all prejudlccs and pas
sions, and enable them to look the situation
calmly and squarely In the face.
For the past eight or ten years we have been
subjected 10 the evils Of one party control
against which not even the increased respon
sibility and danger incurred by the fact that
II Is also one race control, could guard us
The aspiring talent of O party, whose nom
ination is election, finds the requirement OF
political methods more important, certainly
MS q first step, than the mastery of a political
principle, and, once in that field, pride OF
opinion, desire for success. and the heat Of
conflict lead TO excesSes not dreamed OF when
II is entered. The result Is that we have made
great progress In political methods, and alb
Sorbed In personal contention and partisan
strife, all losing sight of the great purpose OF
our organization, and drifting away from its
cardinal principles. Unable To find n way Ia
combat the evil which seems inherent In one
pariy's power, was content as long as 1t was
confined 10 "contentlons OF politicians" To
inter the silent protest OF having nothing 10
do with these combinations, relying OH the
solid array Of our people, which enabled
them 10 defy and correct the use of perverted
power by adverse administration Of govern.
ment to easily enforce respect for the author.
ity OF our constitution by our own officials.
This partisan strife and contention, which
up TO this time has been confined to contests
between temporary combinations for special
or personal purposes, has made decided step
of progress in political methods by the organ
lzaton within the party of permanent p0'
litical combination for not only specific. but
ty0y, NIL ftnnI IN rIr nir1o
methods and purposes OF this oganization
and its effect on our common party and the
great common interest Of our people are mat
ters on which there Is difference Of opinion.
For myself, think that In this heudlonG
career OF progress We have reached the dan.
ger line.
Before l utter one word it is doubtless
known that the Farmers Movement which
did not commann the approval OF my Judg-
ment in its incipiency when 1t presented IT.
self In It's most Inviting shape as an organi.
zation Of the most independent OF my fellow
citizens, the owners ana tillers OF the sofia
band Of private citizens who had no favors to
ask but rights to demand-and cannot com.
mand 1t now after It's recent elimination into
fully equipped political organization push
Ing It's campaisn as Independently OF our
could. Such a procedure Is better calculated
to command the approval Of our dire oppo
nentS, the Radicals. than of those Democrats
who organized their party to promote and
sound integrity as of more consequence
than the election OF any man or set of men ia
office.
The spirit In which 1t is entered upon af
mics. The charges OF corruption sweeping,
not specified, but made with n rcckleSsncsS
Unprecedented In our history do not simply
please but actually strengthen cur opponents
and actually weakens us.
Now, do not propose to assume the role OF
special champion Of the administration oi
our party or State They need none, as far as
l know. But II they do, 1t might be preSump.
either.
Again. desire to divert as far as practca.
BILE my discussion OF tho situation Of any per.
sonal consideration whatever. and direct 1t to
however, In this line. ask how, even If the
charges are true. can this clamor which has
been raised, and caught up by our enemies
and rung from end 10 end OF this broad land
possibly conduce to our common interest? Is
It's tendency to reform TO purify or elevate us
or is it the reverse? Is 1t not rejecting OH us
already. the innocent. sufferers by The evil
doing II it has been done. the pains and pen.
altieS that should be visited upon the evil
doors? 1t Is not a political error that in.
wolves fearful perverSion of Justice? No
my friends; If our officials hare wilfully
violated the law regulating the conduct OF
their Offices they arc guilty OF high crimes
before the baseness Of which any violation oi
Il statute by private citizen would pale into
white Innocence. II would be the part ol
wisdom, plain, practical sense, simple justice
and our duty as Democrats to arraign them
before the courts instituted for such pur-
poses.
But these random shots. fired into the mul.
titudc, that strike innocent parties, arc auda.
ciouSly reckless and dangerous TO the public
welfare, although they may be intended
merely az Shrcwd political devices for the at.
tanment of personal ends.
But would asE yOur consideration of one
charge, because 1t takes us back to first prin.
ciples, to which we cannot recur too often In
periods of difficulty and doubt. This charge
is SO sweeping as to involve US all of the white
race, and our ancestors to the third and fourth
generation, In the darkness Of Ethiopian ig.
norancc or a vile conspiracy against our own