The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16
THEIR REASONABLE REQUEST.
An Able Conservative Letter From
Conservative Democrat.

n Conservative Democrat.
Editor Press and Banner:
| Asthe meeting called by DIR. Maxwell on
the 18th does not seem To be understood Uy
| some and as the Cali seems 10 have been
circulated only in Il few localities, please al
low ME space III your paper for lew eXpluna-
| tiOnS and suggestions.
| The object of the meeting Is to elect dele
gaieS to u Convention which Is To meet In Co.
Iumbla on the 2+th. That Convention will be
conpoEed OF conservative men, who Stand
midway between the two ENTRANCES oil
.Straightouts" on the one hand and Tillman
men on the other.
They propose TO meet together and
consult as to the political outlook In the
State, and perhaps, to suggest some plan OF
campaign-but entirely within the l'emocra-
Tic party.
lima and In AubeviIle County who are not sat
,siied with the present administration. This
Is II free country and every man is entitled %
his opinion and to his choice OF candidates
Tor offce-provided always, that he obeys the
VIII of the majority.
AS understand II, the main object Of this
Convention is to ask Of the May convention
or tie State Executive Committee thaI the
nomination for Governor be made by pri-
mary election, and perhaps. TO suggest some
man as Il candidate.
No sane man who has followed events in
this State Tor the past TWO years can deny that
the white people of the State are on the eve OF
a serious division and no patriotic man Will
deny that division means death. DIVISION
means a bid for the negro vote-in the end II
means negro or worse, mixed ana hybrid
domination. Then how Is this TO be avoided?
How can our people be broug hi together?
In my humble Judgment there Is but one
way, viz: Settle the matter once ana ior an
by direct primary for Governor under the
rules of the Democratic party. Thls Is lne
only absolutely fair way, and IL Is not an un-
reasonable demand.
mental principle of democracy, and 1t is right;
then show the people Of the State that ma.
iorlty are In favor OF Gov. TiIlman and all
opposition to him will be huShed.
Gov. Tillman and his friends nave always
favored primary elections, and l cannot
think II will be refused wnen IT Is the only
thing which will allay the present discord
among our people.
II, as often alleged, Gov. Tillman can poll
four-tifths OF the votes in the State then he
has nothing to fear from primary, ana sure
ly he and his friends vii not refuse W prove
TO the dissatisfied that they are IN the minor
ity and must submit, when it will cost them
nothing.
have heard it said that this Convention
was simply to aid the e"Straight3uts" or has.
kellites." Not at all. The Straightouts-along
with all other DenIocrats-are invited to lake
part, but with the distinct prorlso that
Whatever Is done must be done within the
party, under the rules and to abide the re-
suit.
Such, Mr.. Editor, is my understanding Of
this call" and 1t is to be hoped, that all sec
tions of the county, where there are men In
sympathy with this movement, will send
delegates to the meeting on the 18th. Inc
day for .'leJ alone" policy is past ana the
time has come for men who have the courage
OF their convictions TO disregard threats and
rldicule and to stand up 6ravely Tor their
rights. .,., o, -.
sured that nothing dangerous or un-Demo-
critic will be attempted.
Men like Jas. T.. Orr, Gen. Hagood, pr.
Maxwell, d. F. Bradley, A. B. Will
liams, E. B. Murry.. and others, who have
called this Convention will shun any effort
TO camp outside the Democratic party;
Speaking for myself, l can say that l VIII
take no part in any meeting or any Conven-
tion that attempts anything that smells even
Of independentism.
lam one of many-a Democrat-not salts
fled with the present state OF affairs, anu as
Democrat under Democratic rules, have the
right 10 support my choice until the nomlna'
ton is made. Wh-n the nomination Is
made-be the nominee Gov. Tillman or Jas.
L. Orr, I propose 10 support him as all Dem
ocratS should; but until that nomination Is
made, have the right to advocate any man
or candidate please.
Is this treason? 1t was not treason two
years ago TO Suggest" Gov. Tillman In
March Convention, then 1t can't be treason
now.
cratic when entirely within the party lines,
and we pledge ourselves to fight within the
party and under the rules.
IS it unwise and impoltic? Honest oppo-
Honest administrations which continue IN
Office are but strengthened to have their mis-
takes" discussed and to hear suggestions from
equally as honest opponents.
Silence and inaction never won In any
thing, and politics Is no exception TO The
maxim "honesty is the best policy
Then why should direct primary be re-
fused? This Convention will represent, at
the least, u strong minority OF conservative
Democrats. aud their calm request should re-
ceive deliberate consideration.
The Democratic party must ne preserved
but the Democratic party gags no body
The majority shall rule-the minority must
submit. True, but show US where the major
Ity lies.
voted for Gov. Tillman two years ago be.
cause | considered him the nominee of the
party. will do SO again II he Is nominated.
am now neither a Tillmanite nor Has
kellite, but claim to be a conservative citl-
zen, with rights as such, desiring to do, as
conceive it, what is best for our State.
In politics man Is very much like the pro-
verbal woman, who convinced against her
mary is d "trip-hammer" KNOCK down" ar
gument, and no matter who Is nominated II
will silence opposition and restore peace and
unity to our ranks.
direct primary will do more good than
all the Conventions, manifeStos, pronuncla-
ineut, S, editors and orators CONT ed.
AS understand 1t, this Convention is SIM
gest" Jas. l.. Orr or some other good conServa-
tive man To take a hand init.
Then, come TO the meeting on the 18th.
Honest men have the right TO their honest
convictions, ami 1t is their duty 10 speak
them out. Respectfully.
Abbeyille, March II, 1882.