Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-03-17
General Hampton's Views.

General HamptOn'S views.
HAMPTON, MISS, March s.-Tt
the Editor Of tie State:
was glad TO see the plan of 9
primary suggested by you, and as
you are aware it is the one advocated
by myself as the only fair means Of
ascertaining the wishes of the peo-
pie. If the .dominant party" as
those members of the ring like tc
call themselves, refuse that demand
Of those opposed to them, my opin.
ion is that the convention which is
to meet this month should have
primary, and if the result shows, as
| have no doubt it will, that the
opponents Of the present admins
tration are in majority, they, as
the true Democratic party, should
assume control, not only OF the
policy to be pursued in the approach
ing canvass, but of the State itself
But in order to be successful every
element of opposition to the present
administration. which has brought
such shame upon the State, should
be united; and l regret deeply to
see thai, among those who are hon
estly working towards a common
end, some misunderstanding as to
the policy to be pursued has already
risen, which, if not corrected, will
surely lead to dissension and ultimate
defeat. All divisions in our ranks
must be closed if we hope for sue
cess, but this can never be accom-
plished if the advocates of any one
policy express doubts as to the hon
esty or the sincerity of those who,
while working for a common end:
differ as to the mode of attaining it.
Mutual concessions must be made,
and all differences must be left for
settlement after the battle. Wise
strategy, as well as common sense,
dictates this course, for many fight
has been won under a bad order OF
battle, but none ever where there
vas disahection among the leaders
or in the ranks.
see no conceivable reason why
there should not be harmony and
concert of action amongst all who
may desire change in the govern
ment of the State, and my under
standing of the address, which ]
with other gentlemen signed, was
that it was an earnest appeal to all
patriotic citizens who felt pride in
their State to join IL an honest effort
to keep its fame and honor untar-
nished and the interests of its citi-
zens protected. 1t did not occur to
me for moment that any Democrat
who desired to see a good govern
ment established in the State was to
be excluded from participation in the
effort se-secure ?this consummation,
and I cannot see why all such should
not take part in the convention soon
to be held.
The call for that convection GER
tainly does not exclude those who
are called Straightouts, for without
the active cooperation of those citi-
zens, who compose so large and
influential portion of the Demo
cratic party, it is hopeless to look
for success. Whatever opinion may
be entertained as to their action in
the last election 10 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
followthe Inauguration of the pres
ent administration have been fully
verified, and they are now doubtless
as anxious to prevent a recurrence OF
those evils as they then were to avert
them.
The recent address issued by their
former committee is calm, conserya-
tive and dignifed paper, but l hope
that it will not induce them to re-
frain from participating in the coun-
sells, which have for their object the
welfare of the State. If the coming
convention nominates ticket, they
should certainly have voice in its
selection, as their votes Will be es-
sential to it's success. All shades OF
opinion should be fully represented
in our convention, and should that
body take any action repugnant to
any of It's members their withdrawal
will relieve them from all obligation
to be bound by it. l apprehend no
danger of this kind, for the men who
will form that convention will be
actuated solely by patriotic motives,
and they will be governed by wise
counseis, I am sure. No hasty OF
inconsiderate action need be feared
if conservative, honest and true
Democrats meet to consult how the
best interests of the State can be
promoted; and this should be the
sole motive prompting them.
Let, then, representatives of every
class of our citizens be well repre-
sented in the convention, and espe-
7cially do / hope that our farm..,- yhc
have learned by bitter experience
how o,rieronsly they have been de.