The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-04-21
REFORMED REPUBLICANS,
THE CHOSEN TITLE OF THE NEW
SPOILS BRIGADE.

Split in tho Democratic Party M Mem-
minger and Others Mako Speeches.
COLUMBIA. S. c., April 13.-The New
Movement Republicans held their first
State convention yesterday. 1t was
somewhat of an improvement on the
gatherings of the old line Republicans
that have hitherto been held. There
was an unusually large sprinkling of
white faces In the meeting and rather
fewer Simon.p pure negroes than usual.
The convention was held in the hall of
the House of Representatives
The meeting was called to order at
1890 p. m. by ID. w. Fowler OF Union,
and after prayer, w. ID. Cbapelle, of
Richland, took the floor and delivered
himself OF harangue. lie said: This
event Is like the star of bethlehem
which lighted the Shepherds to Christ.
L belleve this movement is to lead us
to political salvation; that this bring
ing together of the best white men
and the best colored men Of South Car
olina will bring together everything
and bridge the great chasm between
the races. Applause.
This event is the greatest In the his
tory OF political parties in South Caro-
lima. Prior to this on one side have
been arrayed the whites and on the
other the colored people; on one side
all the intelligence and wealth, and on
the other ignorance and poverty. Tn.
der such circumstances how in the
name of God could we as a race hone
to succeed with but little education
and no money? We were tutored to
hate those who are our best friends.
Some of us have grown to such a pitch
OF education and manhood as to reach
out our hands to the white men and
say we will bury the hatchet aud work
for good government that will pro-
tect all interests. Applause.]
Such reform movement has never
before been known in the politics of
our race We will call a halt on our
race. Gracious God, we cannot hope
to succeed along the old line. What
has the party had in this State but re-
cord blacker than midnight darkness :?
What did we see but a sewerage into
which the slops of a hundred years
were poured? Let us say that we
mean to catch the hands of those who
VIII lead us to virtue, morality and the
high plane of civilization on which
make speech; simply say this by way
Of preface. If you want good blood
you will now get it, for l will now in
troduce as temporary chairman a son
OF an lllustrious patriot who led the
armies OF the Confederate States, a
name that stands for honesty-R. w.
Memminger. Applause.l
Mr. Memm'nger assembled the Speak
er's stand escorted by two black dele
gates, one of whom said, This Is bring
ing the black and white together, sure
enough" Laughter and applaus, i
Mr. Memmlnger said it is needless to
say that L appreciate the honor con-
terred upon me in being elected the
chairman of this convention, and 1 ap-
preciate it the more highly because as l
believe this Is really the first representa-
tive South Carolina Republican con-
Vention that has ever been convened in
this State. a new era has daWned
upon us in our political history and
this convention palpably indicates an
other stage in the evolution of Rcpub-
llcanism in the State Of South Carolina.
Hitherto the Republican like the De IN
ocratic party has constantly been
aligned IN this State on strictly race
lines. Now, for the first time we find
ourselves convened on national lines,
as Republicans, Republicans by convic-
tion, because to us that party repre-
sents the principles, policies and meas
ureS required by modern civilization
and which are suited to the advance.
ment of the welfare of the whole ma
tion at large.
lie then eulogized the Republican
party, and concluded by saying let the
State of South Carolina and the whole
South but send Republican Senators
and Representatives to Congress and
then may we expect to keep up with
the procession. otherwise we must ex-
pect to be kept far back in the rear,
where unfortunately we are now. Be
cause we are Republicans we do not
therefore cease to be CaroinianS, nor
IS there any need why we should ira
duce records of our party; we are not
ashamed Of them, it is base so to do.
But we belong to the present and have
to deal with 1t as we find it and with
respect to future; it is thitherward
that we are looking and not backward
for an inspiration. AS citizens of
South Carolina we have deeply at heart
the welfare of our State and Of this
our whole Southern land. The Demo
cratic party and the principles which it
represents cannot, we are convinced,
bring to us the prosperity SO ardently
desired, while on the other hand lust
what has brought about the prosperity
and wealth of the North can and will
DO the same thing In the South could
we but be induced to make the expert
ment. This convention here assem-
bled presents before the citizens of
South Carolina the claims of the party
which promises such results, and we
do now and hereby invite each and
every one, one and all, to join us in this
patriotic effort to rejuvenate the grand
old State of South Carolina.
w. w. Russell. of Anderson, moved
the appointment of DR.. g. G. Johnson
and j. q. Carter as temporary secre
taries. Carried.
The following committees were then
appointed by the chairman:
Committee on delegation to the ma
tional convention at Minneapolis
Munro Whitlock, Union; Nj. j. Will
liams, Columbia; Simeon COrley, Lex
ington; George Robertson, OranReburg
w. Z. Russell, Charleston.
Committee on resolutions and plat
torm-Wigg, Beaufort; Nichols, Green
vile; Stoeber, Richland.
Committee on organization-Dr. Clay
80 vi, =;