The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-30
THE COMING CAMPAIGN.
A Contest Proposed Within the Demo
cratic Party.

Mr.. G. w. Shell, of Laurens, presl-
dent of the Farmers Association of
South Carolina" requests The News
and Courier to publish the following
address:
To the Democracy of South Carolina:
For four years the Democratic party in
the State has been deeply asitated, and
efforts have been made at the prima-
ries and conventions to secure retrench-
ment and reform, and recognition OF
of the needs and rights of the masses.
The first Farmers Convention met in
April, 1886. Another in November Of
the same year perfected 8 permanent
organization under the name Of the
Farmers Association of South Caro-
lima" This association, representing
the reform element in the party, has
held two annual sessions since, and at
each of these four conventions, largely
attended by representative farmers
from nearly all the counties, the de-
mands of the people for greater econ
omy in the Government, greater eth-
cheney in it's officials, and fuller rec
oenition of the necessity for cheaper
and more practical education have
been pressed upon the attention OF our
Legislators.
In each of the two last Democratic
State Conventions the Farmers
Movement" has had a large following,
and we only failed of controlling the
Convention of 1888 by small vote
less than twenty-fve-and that, too in
the face of the active opposition of
nearly every trained politician in the
State. We claim that we have always
had majority of the people on our
side, and have only failed by reason OF
the superior political tactics OF our
opponents and our lack of organization.
In proof of this we point to Abbevllle
and Chester, the only counties except
Charleston which had not already ap-
pointed delegates to the State Conven-
ton before the campaign meetings two
years ago, at which Governor Richard
son spoke. Both of those counties,
after hearing the Governor defend his
policy and that Of his faction, repudl-
ated him and it, and be received only
two votes from them.
The executive committee Of the Far
mers' Association did not deem 1t
worth while to hold any convention
last November, but we have watched
closely every Move of the enemies of
economy-the enemies Of agricultural
education, the enemies of true Jeffer-
sonian Demrcracy-and we think the
time has come to show the people
what it is they need and how to ac-
complish their desires. We will draw
up the indictment against those who
have been and are still governing our
State, because it is at once the cause
and justification of the course we in
tend to pursue.
South Carolina has never had real
Republican government. Since the
days of the Lords Proprietors" it has
been an aristocracy under the forms Of
Democracy, and whenever a cham
pion of the people has attempted to
show them their rights aud advocated
those rights an aristocratic oligarchy
has bought him with an office, or fail
ing in that turned loose the tloodgates
of Misrepresentation and slander in
order to destroy bis influence.
The peculiar situation now existing
in the State, requiring the united
efforts of every true white man to pre-
serve white supremacy and our very
civilization even has intensified and
tended to make permanent the condi-
tions which existed before the war.
Fear of division among US and con-
sequent return of negro rule has kept
the people quiet, and they have sub
mitted to many grievances imposed by
the ruling faction because they dreaded
to risk such division.
The Farmers Movement" has been
hampered and retarded in its work by
this condition Of the public mind, but
we have shown our fealty to race by
submitting to the edicts of the party,
and we intend, as heretofore, to make
cur fight inside the party lines, feel
ing assured that truth and justice must
finally prevail. The results of the agi-
cation thus far are altogether encourag-
ing. Inch by inch and step by step
true Democracy-the rule of the people
has Won its way. We have carried
all the outposts. Only two strong
holds reuain to be taken, and with the
issues fairly made up and plainly put
to the people we have no fear of the
result. The House OF Representatives
has been carried twice, and at last held
after a desperate struggle.
Theadvocates of reform and economy
are no longer sneercd atas "Three for
quarter statesmen" They pass meas
ures of economy which four years ago
would have excited only derision, and
with the Farmers Movement to
strengthen their backbone have with
stood the cajo'ery, threats and impo-
tent rage of the old "ring bosses." The
Senate is now the main reliance Of the
enemies of retrenchlnent and reform,
who oppose giving the people their
rights. The Senate is the stronghold
of 'existing institutions" and the
main dependence of those who are an