The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-06-09
The Chronicles Reply.

We publish this morning, 8 d1gnifed,
conservative, and not altogether unmeri-
ted criticism of the Chronicles silence
with reference to the Carolina State Con-
vention. It is written from Edgefeld, and
signed "Fairplay."
we have delayed longer than we in
tended giving attention to our Carolina
with reference to the undemocratic
methods and undemocratic platform of
the Carolina Convention. But there were
such points of similarity between the two
State Conventions, and our criticism Of
one necessarily bore so directly upon the
other, that having our hands rather busy
on this side of the river, we have unin-
tentionally failed thus far to make direct
application Of the same arguments to the
Carolina Convention.
No, "Fairplay," the Chronicle does not
have one standard of Democracy for
Georgia and another for Carolina. What
is Democratic here is Democratic there,
and we arraign what is undemocratic in
CAROLINA as earnestly and as unhesitating-
ly as on this side of the Savannah.
We have predicted the overwhelming
reelection of Governor Tillman, simply
as truthful chroniclers of current events
as they impress themselves upon our
convictions. But because we believe the
Tillmanites will sweep the State, it does
course when it leads beyond the pale Of
Democracy.
Without going into detailed review of
the Columbia Convention, we point out
few incidents that challenge our disap-
proval.
Though not advocates ourselves Of Mr..
Cleveland as the Democratic Presidential
nominee, yet we think it highly unbe-
coming in q Democratic Convention to
pass resolutions condemnatory Of the ex-
President and his administration, which
is recognized, even by those who differ
with Mr.. Cleveland's policy, to have been
one of the most honest and manly in the
history of this country-unmarred by
corruption and political scandal of any
kind.
The failure Of the Tillman majority to
allow each district to name its own dele
gate to Chicago, subject only to confirma-
tion by the Convention, was departure
from all Democratic precedent, and en-
tirely unworthy of potent majority.
Against the course of the Chairman in
running roughshod over the minority,
even though with smile on his face, was
not Dem ocratic and, if nothing more,
was certainly ungenerous. The absolute
power Of the majority should have made
them most ready to accord the fullest
courtesy to the minority and the freest
speech.
But the most serious departure from
Democratic teachings is the platform
adopted by the Convention. Of course
the Convention had the right to adopt
any platform which met the approval Of
the majority, and we think Carolina is
better off than Georgia in that her Alli-
ancemen continue to work in the Demo-
cratic party instead Of af1iliating with
another. Of course they have tho right
to pass such measures as seemed to them
right, and to urge their adoption by the
National Convention Of the Party, but
when the National platform is promulga-
ted, then it will be their duty to stand
Loyalty upon it whether it embodies all of
quently pointed out the undemocratic
features Of tho Ocala platform that it is
unnecessary to reiterato them, but of
course the National Democratic Conven-
ton will not endorse the sub-treasury
bill, the ownership Of railroads and tele-
graphic lines, nor the popular election Of
United States Senators. If the Carolina
Democratic Convention had advocated
only such reforms as are Democratic and
feasible, it would have had moro weight
in Chicago. BY demanding impracticable
and unreasonable things thcy weaken the
force OF their petitions for those things
which are reasonable and just.
"Fairplay' need not be reminded that
the Chronicle feels the deepest interest in
the preservation of the Democratic Party,
not alone in South Carolina, but in every
Southern State. In its integrity is the
only hope for white supremacy. Better
suffer political ostracism for timo on ac-
mind, than to endanger the civilization
and liberty and the peace and protection
of life and property that arc secured by
Democratic supremacy. Better the Ocala
platform by a Democratic State Conven-
ton in May, which will be buried by
National Democratic Convention in June
than the evils that would be sure to flow
from Third Party in South Carolina.
We do not approve of undemocratic
proceedings in a State Convention in
South Carolina any moro than in Geor-
gia. One of the grand things about our
party is that its principles, it's policies
and it's platforms are the same in every
State. Our party is national in aims and
patriotic in its purposes. Whether in
Maine or in Texas, in South Carolina or
in California, its National platform must
be tho same. While allowing the widest
latitude to the States on account Of local
issues and differences, the party must be
one and indivisible upon all vital issues
affecting the general wclfaie of the
Union.
We recognize that the farmers are in
the saddle in South Carolina and that they
are going to have their own way for
sometime to como. but the majority has
no right on earth to 60 outside of the
customs and precedents of the Democrat
ic Party and to do anything that tramples
upon the rights of the minority, much
less advocate policies that are in violation
of the principles of the National Domoc-
racy.
The Chronicle recognizes the abnormal
and revolutionary spirit that has taken
possession of the Democracyin in our sister
State. But so long as the people who rule
remain inside of the Democratic Party
we can afford to trust them rather than