Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-03-03
! What the straightouts Have to Say.
To the Sraigdtom Democrats Of
Co.,fb Ho,o7;no

To the Snaightout Democrats Of
South Carolina:
The approach of the contest OF
1892 has summoned your committee
to its post Of duty.
A brief survey shows the faction
that usurped power in 1890 standing
amid the ruins of the Democracy of
1876 upon p:ostrate State and rul
ing over suffering people.
Instead of relaxing, the coil Of
party rule has been frightened and
freedom of election at the primaries
of the dominant faction has been
destroyed by requirements and oaths
which will exclude men who have
self-respeet and love of liberty.
The promises put forth by the fac
ton dominant in 1890 have not been
fulfilled. The evils and the wrongs
which the Straightout Democrats
foresaw in 1890, and against which
we warned our fellow-Democrats,
have come to pass, On the other
hand, the false charges and les Of
treachery raised against us have
fallen to the ground.
The good and faithful voters who
were controlled by technical party
rules and forced to vote for the nomi-
nee of the usurping faction against
their will, or to refrain from voting
against him, have had time to learn
how valueless is party when not con-
trolled by principle and represented
by worthy men.
We appeal to those who faced the
fire and bore the brunt in 1890 to
stand firm to their party and their
high principles in 1892, and-we cali
upon all good Democrats to join in
the fight against wrong and oppres-
sion. We urge the Straightout
Democrats and all who are ready to
act with them to cling to their colors
and stand firm. Be not misled by
the Establishments of power or the
brides of Office to surrender your
independence, but, standing true to
principle, loyal to the grand Democ-
racy OF 1876, and earnest in the strug-
gle for the welfare of our State, con-
tinue the fight against the faction
which has robbed the people OF their
sovereign right of self-government
and brought nothing but disaster and
evil repute upon the State.
There is difference of opinion on
the part of many good men. We
say nothing against those who are
sincere, but, much as we may respect
them personally, we urge upon our
party to disregard any allurements
to Join the dominant faction in order
to defeat it, and aott:-subm;. =
tyrannical rule to}J fhich no alleei,
ance is due, nor td 10 evil that good
may come OF it.
Your committee urges you to be
patient and remain steadfast, await
ing the time when your service can
render good to our common country.
And be assured that when the
time for action comes, those to whom
YOU have entrusted the standards Of
your party will summon you to duty
and perhaps to victory, but always
for the right.
We appeal to our fellow-Demo-
Gratis of all factions and all classes to
hear the truth and do us justice. We
seek the good of the whole people.
We recognize the great interest of
our State to be agricultural, and
while we refuse 20 be subservient to
secret caucuses, or class legislation,
we are earnest in our desire to pro-
mote that interest, upon which the
welfare of our State is largely
dependent.
We seek no office, we ask no reward
save the consciousness of having
done our duty.
We will battle in the ranks for
any good man or men put forward
by the Democracy, provided we can
vote as Democrats, governed by the
principles of 1876, and be freed from
the tyranny OF the existing rules and
constitution of TIE faction now in
power.
By order of the committee:
WM. II. LYLEs, Chairman.
a. E. GONZALES, Secretary.