The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16
GENERAL HAMPTON.
His Letter on the Political Situation
The Way He Views Seush Caro-.
lin. Politics From His Farm In
MrsSiSsippt.
The State,


week ago the editor of the State received
from ex-senator Hampton, then at his Mis-
slsSjppi plantation, personal letter on the
political situation, which compelled Inc De.
lief that If lhe views of this most honored OF
South Carolinians could be given 10 the pub
lie they would do much to remove the OAR
riers which had been uuwisely placed be-
tween the StraightOuts and other Democrats
opposed TO the present State Administrator.
Gen. Hampton was therefore urged 10 make u
statement for publication, covering the points
touched upon In his letter. Before receiving
the request. however. he had anticipates pa IL
tion. 1t Is submitted with great pleasure as
a contribution TO the hurnony and union OF
patriotic Democrats Of South Carolina.
HAMPTON MISS, March 3.-To the editor OF
the Stale: l was glad to see the plan OF
primary suggested by you. and as you are
aware II Is The one advocated by myself as
the only fair means of ascertaining the wish
es OF the people. II the dominant party as
those members OF the Ring IKE h 10 ca1 nnnsnG tne
To them, my opinion Is that the convention
which Is to meet this month shnuld nave
primary, and II the result shows, as nave no
doubt 1t will, that the opponents ol Ine pres pres
as the true Democratic party, SHOULD assume
control, not only OF The policy to be pursued
in the approaching canvass, but o1 the stale
itself. ,,,,o,.
of opposition to the present Administration,
which has brought such shame upon tne
State. should be united and regret deeply
to see that. among those who are honesty
working towards common end, some mig,
understanding as 10 the policy 10 oe pursueu
has already risen, which, II not correctea, VIII
surely lead to dissension and ultimate ueisat. y,
al divisions In our ranks must oe closed IL
we hope for success, but this can never De ac-
compiished II the advocates OF any one poilcy
express doubts as to The honesty or the sin'
| certify of those who, while WORKING lot cou,-
Mutual concessions must be made, ana al
differences must be left for settlement after
the battle. Wise strategy, as well as common %
has been won under bad order OF battle,
but none ever where there was disaHection
among the leaders or In the ranks.
see no conceivable reason why tne:e
should not be harmony and concert OF actlou
amongst all who may desire change IN the
government Of the State, and my understano'
Ing of the address. which l with other genlie,
men signed, was that 1t WAS an earnest appear
to Ill patriotic citizens VINO ielg priae IN tneir
| fame and honor untarnished and the Inter
ests its citizens protected. IL DID not occur
| to me for moment that any DemocraG VINO
| in The State was To be excluded from particl-
pa tlon In the effort TO secure tnls con
| Ion and cannot see why all such should
not take part in the convention soon 70 se
| held.
The call for that convention certainly does
not exclude those who are called Strnighouts,
for without the active cooperation OF Snose
citizens, who compose so large ana innuen'
| tial portion Of the Democratic party, IL il
hopeless TO look for success. Whatever opin-
| ION may be entertained as to their action IN
the last election no one can doubt the SINGER.
ity OF theiE convictions nor Inc n0nesly e SN o.
them at that time, Of the evils which Woulo
follow the inauguration Of the present Ad,
mnistraton have been fully yerined, ano
| they are now doubtless as anxious TO preVent
| q recurrence or those evils as tney tneu "ere
| TO avert them.
The recent address issued by their former
committee Is Il calm, conservative and dlgnl-
fled paper, but hope that II VIII not lnouce
them 10 refrain from participating IN the
counsels, which have for their OBJECT Inc wei
| fare Of the State. II the coming convention
nominates O ticket, they should certainty
have voice In It's selection, as thelr Votes
will be essential to its success. All shades ol
opinion should be fully represented IN oul
convention, and should that body take any
action repugnant To any ofits members theii
withdrawal will relieve them from all oolisa
ton to be bound by It. apprehend no dan
ger OF this kind. for the men who VIII form
that con vention W Ill be actuated solely by pa
triotlc motives: and they Will be governed oy
wise counsels am sure. No hasty or incon'
sIderate action need be feared II conservative
honest and true Democrats NETT to consult
| how the best int ereSts OF the Stale can be pro-
| noted ana tnlS SROulu De Luc soIc iuotiSe
prompting them.
Let, then. representatives of every class o.
our citizens be we'll represented In the con
vention, and especially do hope that oui
| farmers who have learned by bitter expert
ence how grievously they haye been deceived
by false promises will join their FELLOWSHIP
ferers In desiring measures Of relief and rec
ress-The Press or the State can exert pot
ent and beneficial influence In harnoniZlDe
all discordant elements and In promoting
unity OF action, and 1t is to be hoped thai
all papers favorable TO the movement for 6
true reform In the Slate will lend their aid tc
bring about united, vigorous and determined
efforts 10 secure this result. UNITED We
stand, divided we fall"
| ! should not venture to obtrude my opl nion
on the public, but for the fact that IN signel
to the address published, / do not wish my
position To- be misunderstood. One ermat
| ter prompts me TO do this. My deep solici
tude for that State. which, IN other days IT
was my pride 10 serve, and though my ser
Vices have been pronounced no longer neces
sary, / cannot forget the past, as readily anc
as completely as many others have done
Every pulsatlon of my heart Is true to The
State, and my dearest wish is To see It's people
| happy and prosperous.
II am very respectfully yours,
Wade Hampton.