Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-02-06

w iSoiiHS c'ioV WV DHlloV 10 IhS SOHi-
bined lever and fulcrum for tho cx-
ercise Of their power. They arc
better organized to-day than they
have ever been in the history of
the State since occasion arose for
such organization, and when the
proper time comes they will without
ostcntation begin the ballot snow
drift that will so purify the political
atmosphere that their rights will be
at once assured. The opposition to
fair and honest rule will be showed
under. And it will be done inside
party lines, regularly and fairly and
wisely, and without injustice to any
body or anything. The party and
its plans and politics will be purified
without harshncss, or vindictivcncss,
or personal warfare, the unwisdom
of which is recognized by all right
thinking men.
"The address Of Chairman Shell,
SO far rs it relates to measures of
reform, is very thoughtful and well
prepared paper, but in temper, Ian
guage and spirit, it is iliibcral and
umwiscly uttered. This feature of
it was doubtless intended for effect
in arousing the farmers from sup
posed lethargy. We do not think it
either wise or necessary, however.
The farmers are already aroused but
dispassionately. They arc scnti-
mental enough, but their sentiments
mean business rather than bad blood
and sectional cstrangcmcnt. Their
pu. poses are not to be destroyed in
madness. They are cool in the cul-
tivation Of wisdom, and they will
vote right when the time comes.
"1mportant concessions have been
made to the demands of the farmers
of the State within the past few
years. Their plans have been OPP
posed and thwartcd in several in
stances, but step by step the farmers
are gaining ground. From every
fight they merge with at least a par
tial victory. All they can demand
within the bounds OF reason is within
their reach inside the Democratic
party, strictly, with it's present
machinery in operation. Let the
farmers calmly and coolly decide
upon the reforms they desire, and if
they do not carry them through it
will be because they are not united.
And until unity prevails nothing will
be accomplished by this means or
that. They are in the majority, and
the cause Of the farmers has thou
sands OF friends among those who
are not farmers. by reason of their
superior voting strength they are or
can be masters of the situation.
Under a wise policy, covering wise
and just demands, and under a
determined yet wise and conservative
leadership, their power will be cxcr-
cised for the nd djustmcnt of all mat
tcrs of State government upon Il
basis fair and just to all interests.
Rash and intlammatory declarations
will neither unite the farmers nor
gain them friends.
"Thcrc can be no valid objection
to Il convention of the farmers of
the State under the call issued by
the Executive Committee of the
Farmers Association. 1t is well for
them to meet, even Oftcncr than they
do, and discuss and decide upon
measures of relief and reform. IN
deed, there ought to be very full
convention in response to that call,
and when assembled il will show it's
wisdom.
I"'. BY deciding at once not ito
nominate a State ticket.
"2d. BY adopting wise, just and
statcsmanlikc platform and plan of
campaign in the Democratic pri-
marics.
"3d. BY eliminating and refrain
ing from sectional and purely per-
sonal issues. 'First to thine own
self be 'ru",' &c, and rs firm as
Julius Caesar in the demand Of your
rights, and all will be well.
"ln the Democratic primaries is
the place to secure the rights Of the
farmers, and to settle all disputes
and issues inside the Democratic
party A victory won in the pri-
marics will not be open to technical
objection or cavil, and hence it will
be peaceful and of lasting good"
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