Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-03-24

other rule must inevitably lead TO the
destruction of party discipline. It will
not do to say eight tire devil with his
own fire. This is an inconsistentmaxim
for those who are insisting on strict con-
strrction of the constitution. Nor is it
a splitting of hairs. A political wrong,
a departure from the right and only safe
path by one set of Democrats cannot JUS
tify like conduct by another.
This is my view, and while my judg-
ment as weighed against the gentlemen
who called the convention may not weigh
a feather, yet I feel 1 would stultify
myself if I did not 40 express myself.
I shall, however, if the convention sug-
gests candidates pledged to abide the
result of the contest give them my ear
nest support. I say pledged to abide the
result, because any other course is
destructive of party organization and
efficiency. I so acted in 1890, and shall
do so again wherever the Nominating
Convention in September shall declare
the nominees. Up to that time If candi-
dates are in the field let them make
every effort to secure the nomination by
that convention. Political agitation is
healthful, but when the September Con-
vention speaks it is the voice of the
party, and the minority, on whichso-
ever side it may be, should submit, as
'what is sauce for the goose should be
sauce for the gander."
To ascertain which side has a majority
by a direct primary for State officers
would certainly be desirable in this ext
gency, for, as Senator Butler has well
said, let us find out where the majority
is, and abide by it, but, as a rule or pre-
cedent for the future, we must be care
full not to sow seed for future trouble
for the sake of a temporary expedlent.
1t is a fact that there is a majority OF
the Democratic party of the State IN
what is known as the up-ccuntry, and 1t
is increasing by the influx of 1opulation.
Would not a direct primary for State
officers throw the selection or nomina-
ton of such officers in the future to this
section, as it is human nature to exercise
power when it can be done, and, to say
the least it is a great temptation? Will
not this in the future revive the now
defunct sectional feeling? Is it not safer
and more conducive to harmony, aye
more just, that the party equipolse should
be maintained, so far as the middle and
low-country sse concerned, by having a
primary for delegates to the State Con-
vention? l merely throw out the sug-
gestion under an apprehension of future
trouble.
AS to the approaching convention
ordering a direct primary, if a demand
for it is refused, I fail to see anywhere
any authority for it. However desirable
it might be, will not such a course make
confusion worse COMPOUNDED, produce
greater disharmony and eventuate in all
probability in permanent and irremedia-
BILE division? AS to the conduct of the
campaign, unless County Conventions
disregard tie arbitrary rules of the State
Committee, which under the constitution
they have a right to do, as they alone are
empowered tc establish such rules, is
there any otL.er course open except to
make the contest under these rules,
trusting to rectify the wrong in the Sep
tember Convention? a few words in
conclusion. The time has come when
every patriot must considert the necessity
of maintaining u supremacy n the
status of the State in the National Demo
cratic party. Let us not in our differ
ences and contests overlook these para
mount considerations.
j. D. KENNEDY.
Camden, March !.