The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-09


the primary election We all fell in line and
elected the nominees Of the party year after
year those lines were obliterated, ana we
| ly opposed each other, elected In the same
campaign. and frequently supporting tn0se
of the other faction. One reason AooeVllle
did not get as wild as some Of the other Coun-
ties in Its opposition TO the Reform move
ment was because the people knew that IN d
short time matters would adjust themselves,
| as had happened before.
There is striking contrast IN the way cne :
people stood by Governor from the ranks
of our political enemies, apd the way ID
which our political enemies stand by Gov
ernor OF the people. When Governor ramp
deavored to make his government SUCCESS;
the people even paid their taxes. when tnere
was no law compelling them, to an agent OF
the government. On the contrary there are
so-called Democrats who have never lost an
opportunity To criticize the administration
and to throw obstacles in the way Of It's sue
cess. The Railroad Companies have endeav-
ored 10 cripple the government oy relusihg 70 70
pay taxes, and the attempt has been mace 20
pay for State property with fraudulent oonds
THE REFORM MOVEMENT IS STRONG.
The Reform movement is stronger than II
was in 1890 and its advocates are more deter
min ed to carry out It's principles. The people
are not deceived by their talk OF unity, and
abuse OF Tillman by the opposition. me op-
position are not after preserving unay as
|
The people are educated on political mat
| ters: they have experienced the pleasure ol
taking part in the government and electlne
their public servants, ana they VIII nos soVn ~
| surrender these rights 10 any set OF men 70
act for them. The people have lor the mrs nrs'
time In The history Of our government deiio'
erately made up their minds to exercise the
right to select their officials, and ring rule IL
at least for the present. destroyed.
From the time I commenced my puollc Ca
reer enlisted on the side OF. the people
against ring rule. and II possible am strong
er in my determination than ever to fight the
Mr.. Chairman, am grateful to this meeting
| for ca ling on me for speech, and thankful
for the attentive hearing accorded me.
Speech of Senator r. r. Hemphill.
Senator Hemphill being loudly called for
advanced to the platform amid constan
cheers and applause. He said he never could
do himself justice In political speech naiess t
fol the work. He said substantially that II
was no new thing for him 10 bs with the far.
mers in all their efforts for Reform.
The Medium published the call In accord
/ ance with which this organization was form.
ed. He was always against Ring rule; Gov
Gary was happy IN his allusion TO Andrew
from the gentry OF his day because be was the
recognized champion Unpopular rights. From
| the time he left the WaXhaw settlement, q
desolate orphan OF fifteen, years until ne be
|
United States, his heart was with the people
and his life-work was for their rights. He
was the target for the columny ana abuse o.
| the Fe1 1eralists, and all who believed In
special privileges. His lack ofpolish and bis
faulty English and rhetoric were held up az
disc qualifying him for Office and honors. the
very same cry has been made against TIL
| man.
II has been the same In al times. When
| the great Caesar arose In the Senate and
placed himself on the side OF the people and
Of his soldiers who had carried the Roman
eagles 10 the northern limits OF the Brit1sh
Isles, against the expressions of the Patri.
clans, he was met with contempt and hnally
When the Duke of Orleans, one OF the
French nobility hut friend OF the people
went 10 the Court ofLouls XVI TO intercede
| for relief for the people he was insulted by
the courliers who spat upon him as ne lef
Gen. John B. Gordon took his stand with
the people more than year ago, and since
that time the Ring and its organs have mao
no good word for him. Hia gallant services
| for the Confederate States and his patrlotl(
work for South Carolina in 1875 are ON loongel
mentioned.
A week ago Hon. Joseph II. Earle wrote @
manly and patriotic letter holding that
and stand by the party. Already the RinR
men say they "don't exactly understand his
position" He is marked for slaughter be
he believes in pepSSaI H,h rghts state Gov
|
ernment. Every lawyer, doctor. minister
banker, merchant and farmer In Abbeville
County has paid his tax, II able. No one ts %
structing the government except @ sne n; ,f ~ ID ,
what they please. II the assessment suih
them they will pay. II It don't suit them
they will not. Unwilling TO trust the Courts
Of Judge Bond, the oficIaI who filled the Al
bany peniten,iary with our white men dur
ing the Kn Klux days.
admin istratiOn is made BY few office seek
ers-"thirteen" In number. They once held
wish II bad.
In reality the war is on him because he stands
| for the farmers. Every indignity heaped on
| him Is meant for the farmers and laoorint
men OF the State. The issue is whether the
dominated by aD arrogant OIL garchy, and OF
| forever "hewers of wood and drawers Of wa
ter" for the rest Of mankind.
Speech OF w. c. Benet. Esq.
| At the conclusion of Senator Hem pbills re
marks loud calls were made for Mr.. Benet
who arose in the audience and was invited te
come forward and address the meeting from
the rostrum. MIR. Benet said:
Mr.. Chairman, and Farmers Of Abbeville
County, and Fellow-Democ mocrats:
You have called me forward here, as un
derstand 1t, to give you my views on our pres
ent political situation. Well, this Is the day
for expressing opinions. Our newspapers are
full Of letters In response to circulars sent ou
by editors asking prominent men IN all paris
OF the State to give their views and their ad
vice at this juncture. And I cannot refuse
your cordial Invitation TO give utterance Z
itor is to be compiled with, the kindly request
OF the farmers of Abbeville county is not te
| be usregarded.
this Commonwealth at heart. have reflected
seriously on our political condition, and or
the grave duties imposed on US at the begin
ming Of this campaign. Taken thus unpre
but ask you to be content on this Occasion
with q plain, straightforward talk. The
| thoughts shall give utterance to, have mol
concealed In private, and have no hesita
| tion In giving expression to them In public.
Speaking to you as fellow-Democrats, fee
bound to say that the Democratic party In
South Carolina was never brought face to face
with q more serious crisis than now CON fronts
US Critical though the situation was In 1S9(
the campaign now opening bids fair TO be
more so. Three sets OF men, all claiming to
| be Democrats, have issued addresses and call
en- upon US to follow their leadership and
trust the fortunes OF the party and the Stale
| in their hands.
CHOOSE YE THIS DAY.
| Which OF the three shall we choose as our
leaders? 10 which OF the three shall we give
our allegiance?
There is. first, the Democratic State Execu.
tive Committee, representing the regular De-
rnocracy. They call upon us to elect delegates
To May Con hich shall choose our
State delegation to the National Democratic
Convention,-and to elect delegates TO an Au.
gust Convention, at which our Democratic
State ticket shall be nominated.
Then we have, second, the address issued by
Thirteen of our felow-ctizens calling upo.,
us TO elect delegates 10 March Convention
| which Is to be authorized to nominate or sug-
gesL State tick ct In opposition TO the present