The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-05-29
THE CoCK;s sHRtLL CLARION.
Col. j. j. Dargan to the Farmers of Sum-
ter County.
From, the ,sumter Watcln,an and Southron

to hear report from him as to hlsactlon
in the She'll Convention and the "21
Conference" and to confer together on
the political situation.
The contrast between this meeting and
the one gathered under the Shell call
was striking, and was remarked upon.
At the latter about fifty farmers were
present, while at this the seating capac-
icy of the Court room was taxed. The
meeting was a representative one
farmers being present from all parts of
County-Tillmanites as we'll RS Anti
Tillmanites.
The meeting was organized by the
election of the Hon. w. D. Scarborough
as chairman. Later on when it became
necessary to have secretary, Mr.. W. q.
Dick was appointed by the Chair to act
in that capacity.
Col. Dargan, who had called the meet.
ing, then took the floor, and in his usual
interesting and earnest manner proceeded
to s'give an account of himself" bespoke
at length in opposition to "Tillmanism," !"
indulging in no abuse of those who diff
fered from himself-preferriDg rather to
throw the mantle of charity around their
actions. The following is a synopsis of
his remarks:
I received q summons to attend "an
| important meeting" at - o'clock to-day
of tie County Democratic Executive
Committee. 1t occurred to me upon
reflection that it was favorable time for
me to account to the people of Sumter for
my action in two important gatherings of
farmers recently held in the Capital of
the State, to which went in sort of
representative capacity, yet with scant
representative authority from those 1
was attempting to serve. The Demo.
cratic Committee, charged with proper
conduct of the present canvass within the
party, SO novel in all its features, has as
difficult task as was ever allotted a
similar body. 1t needs all the light it
can get in regard to the state of the pop
ular mind, as it will tax its Judgment to
the utmost to map out and sustain wise
course of action on the part Of the party
they represent. I hoped this meeting
would give them -some insight into affairs
that might prove helpful.
CHAMPION OF EDUCATION.
1t cannot be too early or too clearly
understood that the prime object of all
canvassipg is to arouse and enlighten the
popular mind, and the prime and only
object of an education is to ascertain that
mind. Your wishes or mine, your pre-
ferences or mine, the success Of this man
or that, are all subordinate and compare
lively of small consequence. To en-.
tighten the mind and to register the vote
is the aim and end of political campaigns.
However unwise the measure, however
unfit the man, it is better that such meas.
ure be adopted and such mau elected
than the people be deprived of one jot Of
responsible authority over elections.
For it is only by the exercise of such
responsible control that their advance
ment in citizenship can be effected.
All that any true Democratic Ameri.
can citizen can ever attempt to do in a
political canvass is to spread the light,
and receive the light, and secure, if pos
sible, brave, honest vote and an accu
rate count and correct return. If errors
are committed by the people it is the
people that are hurt by such errors and
no one should be dissatisfied Because
better this than worse. Better this than
suppressed manhood, better this than
checked, stunLed and dwarf citizenship.
This being my conception of Anglo.
Saxon American citizenship, it shall ever
be my effort and true desire to have the
popular mind as we'll informed as posi-.
BILE and the popular will as we'll ascer-
teincd as possible, be the consequences
what they may.
IF, therefore, l could, by the turn of
my hand, arouse prejudice or excite a
passion which would impair the judg
ment of g voter in exercise upon issues
presented to him, 1 would not do go for
the world, because l would feel that I
was traitor to my trust of citizenship,
and an enemy to mankind we're l guilty
of such an act
TILLMAN MUST BE DEFEATED.
To bring my thought directly to the
practical issue now presented, wish Mr..
Tillmau defeated in his present under.
taking. earnestly wish it. 1 am will.
ing to spend and be spent to that end.
But as God is my witness 1 wish him to
be treated with absolute fairness. wish
him to be fully heard and fully under
stood, and | shall do all i'll my power to
see that these rights are secured him.
And when the vote is taken, if honestly
cast and counted, and he has the major.
ity, it will be my pleasure to see him
Governor of South Carolina, great as 1
may think the people have erred in put.
ting him there. This is my conception
Of my duty and this shall bo my course of
conduct.
I have unshaken confidence iu the
ability of the white people of South Car.
olina to take care of themselves, and to
recover from any mistakes they may
make. Ny supreme and controlling dc.
sire is that they shall have that man for
Governor whom majority of them
want, and my earnest labor ahall be to
assist in securing under that rule the
man best qualified to serve US. There is
but one course to pursue to achieve such
result and that is to get all the light
possible upon men and measures and
then act like brave and independent
Carolinians ever should-vote according
to our belief of what is best for the State,
without fear, favor or affection for any
man, or any faction, or any class, remem
beripg always that the greatest of all
public injuries is to darken the mind, or
blackcn the heart, or impair the strength,
or lessen the courage Of fellow citizen.
That the most useful of all public SER
vices is to enlighten the mind, to elevate
the sentiments, TO increase the strength
and develop the manhood of every
fellow citizen. Keeping these cardinal
rules Of good citizenship in mind ever,
we will not go far astray and may keep
others from such a misfortune by our
example.
Ofa!l the follies 1 ever heard, refusing
to read opposing newspapers is the worst
is sure to lead to s-:;in. The ostrich
policy is unworthy of any intelligent
mind. Know your opponents strength
aud methods that you may meet him and
overcome him.
TIE SHELL CONVENTION.
Believing We could not we'll have
too many conventions and conferences at
a time requiring so much Investigation
and counsel in order to 60 right, | did