The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-05-19
A CHARGE AND ANSWER,
Concerning tho Democracy of State
Secretary Tindal.

Concerning tho Democracy of State
Secretary TindaI.
SUMTER, S. c., May GA short time
since the following was published ia
the Southern and Watchman: The
Columbia Register of April Goth con-
tains the speech which Secretary of
State James l.. Tindal. made at Edge
field on April 23d. From this speech
we quote the following.
ave not only did not desert our lead
ers after the war, but we did not desert
the Democratic party in the darkest
hour of its existence and the gloomiest
years of our lives. Neither poverty,
humiliation, bribe, nor temptations
could seduce us from that'party because,
we believed in local self-government.
Some of our leaders deserted, but not
the people,"
From this we would be led to believe.
II we did not know better, that the hon
orable gentleman had always been the
trueSt and most devoted Democrat. 1t
sounds very nice and no doubt serves
the purpose as well as anything else. 1t
is good Democratic doctrine, but COM
ing from the source it does, it appears
to lack the true ring of the genuine
metal.
Having heard during the campaign of
1870 that the record OF James T.. Tindal
ASA Democrat was not as bright as it
should be, we immediately upon seeing
this speech set about investig ,ting the
rumor5 previously heard.
The following extract from letter
received from a gentleman in Manning
explains itself and defines James e.
Tlndafs Democracy:
what you have heard of Secretary
Ilndals quondam Radical proclivities
is strictly true; also the fact that for a
long while ne was discarded by some of
his nearest relatives; and feel assured
that the opinions of Il portion of them
remain the same. by nearly every
good and intelligent person he was held
in sovereign contempt. When e. w.
Nj. Mackey was "billed" for his Claren-
don crusade, Mr.. Tindal put himself
lar out OF the way to give him aid and
comfort; and enter tanned him at his own
house"
These facts are published as informa-
ton. If Secretary Tindal can disprove
them. the Columns of this paper are
open to him.
The following is what Mr.. Tindal has
TO say in reply to the above:
"Ihe Watchman and Southron has
published statement, without cause or
justice, which reflects, or is intended to
reflect, upon me. If it were only for
the people Of Clarendon should not
notice it, but as it is copied by other
papers, and it may be some time before
can appear publicly before the people
of Clarendon, it is due to my friends.
never throw mud, nor do like to notice
every little evil thing thrown at me.
81 have voted every Democratic
ticket since became OF age. l was
member OF every convention of white
people held in my County; was sent to
the taxpayers convention and every
other convention Of white people dur
ing Radical rule; was president of one
OF the best and first Democratic clubs
in my County; was master OF one of tbe
best. GraDges of my County; was elect
ed lecturer IT the State Grange, and to
the Legislature in 1890 and several
terms subsequently; and never attended
a Radical club or convention or had
any understanding or connection with
the Radical party in my life. This is
all matter of such public knowledge as
to need no comment.
Just after the war, while our own
people still had control and we were
considering what was best to do, | Op-
posed the negro code, and at public
meeting of our people at Manning |
said:
"'Grant will be elected President as
sure as he lives, just as Lee, it a candi-
date, would be President of the South
ern Confederacy if it had established it's
independence. Therefore the wisesJ
4 hi ~ for TO n 10 70 -;
qualified suffrage while we may, or
universal suffrage will be forced upon
us That speech made me very unpop-
ular for the time, because the idea of
allowing negro to vote at all was 80
distasteful at the time. But IN year
Grant was elected and finally came uni
versal suffrage. l did not desert the
people; when they would not 90 with
me, went with them. | also opposed
the Greeley movement, but went along
with it. never failed to express my
views, whether popular or unpopular,
and believe still that my judgement was
right. AS to my nearest relatives dis
carding me on that account, it Is pre-
po5 ferrous. They regretted Lay speech
because they thought it unwise to ex-
press what some of them believed as
strongly rs / did.
"As to giving a nights lodging to
Mackey, did, and would do it again
under the circumstances, and would do
so even to this enemy of mine, who
would do me harm without provocation.
Our County then had no railroads or
hotels, and l was brought up and sur
rounded all my life with people who be.
lieved it to be Christian duty to enter
tain strangers, to give to hospitality, to
give food and shelter even to ones
enemy. But so far from having any
sympathy with him, !, with only twen-
tyiive Of our people to back me, among
whom was my friend, Mr.. Henry
Thomas, attacked and opposed him at
Liberty Hill, in the presence Of. more
than Thousand of his excited follow
ers, without regard to the risk or conse-
quences. These are simple facts"
Two Sudden Deaths.
COLUMBIA, S. c., May 12.-About 8
o'clock last night, Mrs. e. Knott, who