The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-16
HAMPTON FOR HARMONY.
The Old Chief Talks to the People-A State
Primary the Thing.

\ week ago the editor OF the state
received from ex-senator Hampton,
then at his Mississippi plantation,
personal letter on the political situa-
ton, which compelled the belief that
if the views of this most honOred OF
South Carolinians could be given to
the public they would do much to re-
move the barriers which had been un-
wisely placed between the Straightouts
and other Democrats opposed to the
present State Administration. Gen.
Hampton was therefore urged to make
a statement for publication, covering
the points touched upon in his letter.
Before receiving the. request, however,
ne had anticipated it by writing the
following letter for publication. 1t is
submitted with great pleasure as con-
tribution to the harmony and union of
patriotic Democrats Of South Carolina.
The State.
HAMPTON, Miss, March 3.-To the
Editor Of The State: I was glad to see
the plan of primary suggested by you,
and as you are aware it is the one ad-
vocated by myself as the only fair
means of ascertaining the wishes of the
people. If the dominant party" as
as those members of the Ring like to
call themselves, refuse that demand OF
those opposed to them, my opinion is
that the convention which is to meet
this month should have 4 primary,
and if the result shows, as | have no
doubt it will, that the opponents of the
present Administration are IN ma
jority. they, as the true Democratic
party, should assume control, not only
of the policy to be pursued in the APP
preaching canvass, but Of the State
itself.
But in order to be successful every
element Of fopposition to the present Ad-
ninistration, which has brought such
shame upon heState, should be united;
and I regret deeply that, among those
who are honestly working towards
common end, some misunderstanding
a. to the policy to be pursued has al
ready risen, which, if not corrected,
will surely lead to dissension and ultl-
mate defeat. All divisions in our
ranks must be closed if we hope for
succ, SIS, but this can never be accom-
plishcd if the advocates Of any one
policy express doubts as to the honesty
or the sincerity of those who, While
working for common end, differ as
to the mode of attaining it. Mutual
concessions must be made, ,and all differ
ences must be left for settlement after
the battle. Wise strategy, as we'll as
common sense, dictates this course, for
many a fight has been won under "a bad
order Of battle, but none ever where
there was dissatisfaction among the
leaders or in the ranks.
T see no conceivable reason why
there should not be harmony and con-
cert of action amongst all who may de-
sire a change in the government of the
State, and my understanding of the
aC' ,ss, which I with other gentlemen
signed, was that it was an earnest ap-
peal to all patriotic citizens who felt
pride in their State to join in an honest
effort to keep its fame and honor un-
tarnished and the interests Of its citi-
zens protected. 1t did not occur to me
for a moment that any Democrat who
desired to see good government estab-
! lished in the State was to be excluded
from participation in the effort to
secure this consummatioD, and can
not see why all such should not take
part in he convention soon to be held.
The call for that convention certainly
does not exclude those who are called
Straightouts, for without the active CO.
operation OF those citizens, who COM
pose so large and influential a portion
of the Democratic party, it is hopeless
to look for success. Whatever opin-
ion may be entertained as to to their
action in the last election no one can
doubt the sincerity of their convictions,
nor the honesty of their motives. The
predictions, made by them at that
time, of the evils which would follow
the Inauguration of the present Admin.
istration have been fully verified, and
and they are now doubtless as anxious
to prevent a recurrence of those evils
rs they then were to avert them.
The recent address issued by theil
former committee is calm, conserva'
tive and dignifed paper, but I hope
that it will not induce them to refrain
from participating in the counsels
which have for their object the welfare
of the State. If the coming conven
ton dominates a ticket, they should
certainly have a voice in its selection
as their votes will be essential to it:
success. All shades Of opinion should
be fully represented in our convention
and should that body take any actor
repugnaut to any OF its members thei'
withdrawal will relieve them from al
obligation to be bound by it. l appre
bend no danger Of this kind, for th'
men who will form that convention
will lie actuated solely by patriotic
motives, and they will be governed by
wise coUnsels, am sure. No hasty O.
inconsiderate action need be feared i
conservative, honest and true Demo
crats meet to consult how the best in
terests oc the State can be promoted
and this should be the sole motiv
.ha,1