The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-24
AN APPEAL TO PATRIOTS.
Democrats Call on Their Fellow Demo-
Gratis for Fair Play.

AA-SS1
OF the Democratic Conference which
met in Columbia on July 10th, the fol-
lowing address has been issued by the
Advisory Committee:
To the Democracy of South Carolina:
All white Carolinians worthy of the
race from which they sprang and CT
the name they bear, and entitled to
share in the traditions Of the past, the
prosperity of the present and the hope
of the future, are Democrats.
To such, and only such, we earnest
ly and confidently appeal.
All that we have and are, all that we
hope for and desire to transmit to our
children, depends upon the continu-
ance of white supremacy in this State;
and this supremacy upon our united
devotion and loyalty to Democratic
principles, unity, harmony and organ
ization within party lines, obedience
to the rules and faith in the justice and
success of Democratic aims, purposes
and methods.
To each succeeding generation of our
race is entrusted the ark of civilization,
and upon each devolves the sacred
duty of defending, preserving and
transmitting our racial heritage of civil
and religious liberty, the fruits of labor
and of thought, the garnered stores of
material and intellectual wealth-all
that is good of what our race has won
and held by hand or brain, by valor,
industry or wisdom, throughout the
ages.
Is this generation of Carolina Demo-
Gratis equal to the trust? Judging the
future by the past, we unhesitatingly
answer, yes. It is, however, true that
eternal vigilance is the price Of liber-
ty," and the least vigilant must now
perceive that grave danger is impend-
ing over US. At a time when our State
is prosperous beyond precedent, wax
ing each day stronger in material
wealth, leading in the race for mechan-
ical and industrial supremacy, our
people living and thriving under laws
made by legislators, interpreted by
Judges and executed by officials of our
own race and choice, with peace and
security at home, respect and credit
abroad, we are suddenly confronted
with such danger as has never before
threatened the Democracy of this
State: the danger of division in our
own ranks.
Infallibility and perfection are divine
attributes, and have never yet been
granted to human wisdom or human
institutions. If injustice has been
done, errors have been committed, or
mistakes have been made, remember
that to err is human; and remember
also that the great party to which we
belong is broad enough, strong enough,
wide enough and just enough to right
all wrongs, correct all errors, rectlfy all
mistakes and mete out equal and I'M
partial justice to all men.
Remember that all true Carolinians
are Democrats, and as such entitled to
a full, free and equal share in the man
agement, control and policy of the
party, and that it requires the COM
bined and earnest efforts Of all Demo
Gratis in the State to keep the Republi-
can wolf from our door. AS Democrats,
We know no class. Brothers in blood
and race, destined to stand or fail to-
gether, we depreeates ali efforts, from
whatever source, to destroy the unity
and integrity upon which the strength
and life of our party depend:
In order to better understand the
position We now occupy, let US recall
the history of the movement which
has resulted in the condition now con-
fronting as, and take counsel together
on this extraordinary emergency in
our party affairs.
A convention composed OF farmers
representing not less than twenty-six
counties in the State, held i'll the city
of Columbia on December lst, 1887,
unanimously adopted the following
resolutions:
"Resolued, That it is not the purpose
of the farmers of the State to make
their organization political body hos
tile to other classes, nor is it their in
tention to attack the integrity of the
State officers, nor their policy to ar
raign or dictate to the Legislature.
THAT we believe in the thorough
organization of the farmers ofthe State
with the object and firm purpose of
developing its agricultural resources
These resolutions, reported by B. r.
Tilllnan as chairman of the committee
on resolutions, were adopted without
debate at his request, and expressed
the purpose and scope Of the movement
inaugurated by him, land the will Of
the people, represented in that move
ment.)
In November, 1855, another conven-
ton of the association was held at Co.
lumbia with small attendance, which
elected q new Executive Committee, |
having G. w. Shell as president and
chairman er-otieio. No meeting of the
association was called or held in 1889
and the Shell committee held over,
their successors not having been ap-
pointed. In November, 1889, this COM
mittee met in secret without instruc-
tions from or notice to the association,
and authorized G. w. Shell, as chair
man er-ofcio, to issue call for con-
4 l.