The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-11-15
The letter Of Gen. Wade Hampton

4 R0SPA0 ~ eA0 osSssOf esLAA Wiz OffSAASASS ~
l3true Democracy would take advantage OF
lit to deceive the people and make politi-
cal capital out Off This week we pub
lish q letter from Gen. Hampton to the
News and Courier, and the editorial COM
Ement Of that paper on the same, which
more fully explains the object set forth
in the first letter. Those who were
acquainted with the object and purpose
of the National Democratic League knew
what General Hampton meant in his
FIRST letter, and rightfully interpreted it.
The National Democratic Lesgue, of
which Gen. Hampton has long been a
member, Is an organization that has been
in existence in a large number Of our
States for years, but, with the exception
of Alabama, the Leagues have never been
organized in the South, for the simple
reason that until the Populistic doctrines
and ideas began to be disseminated here,
there was no use for them. The Leagues
were organized in Alabama, we believe,
the first year that there was any organized
effort made to defeat true Democracy in
that State, and they did good work there.
Senator Morgan is member of the
League in that State. Until the last two
campaigns the Democratic party in South
Carolina acted in harmony at every elec-
tion. We had our Democratic clubs and
primary elections, and every Democrat
voted for his choice. Whoever secured
the nominations were our standard bear
ers and they were elected without any
trouble.
| The objects of the League are more for
the promotion Of Democratic doctrine in
national campaigns, and is an adjunct or
aid to the party in the States. The
Leagues will admit to membership all
persons who are In sympathy with the
National Democratic party, and who
place Democratic principles above the
demands of the Populist platform.
Nobody has ever termed the National
Democratic League an independent party
organization in any State. Bat as soon
as it is proposed to bring the Leagues
into this State, those who are favoring
Populistic principles and maaquerading
as Democrats, denounce it as an indepen-
dent party movement. No true Demo-
lcrat can oppo-e the organization Of the
National Democratic League in South
| Carolina.
As we have said, there was time
when we did not need the organization
here. But circumstances have changed,
| and it seems that some of our people are
l:straying away from The principles Of De-
limocracy. Last November there we're
over two hundred votes cast for Weaver
in this County, aud we venture that
nins-tenths Of them were cast by men
who participated in the Democratic pri-
mary election few months preceding.
Yes, one of our County eficers, vino was
nominated and elected as Democrat, it
is said voted the Populist ticket. A per-
son can go on our streets almost any day
and hear men VOW they will never sup
port the national Democratic ticket
again: Senator Irby, who is at the head
of the State Democratic Executive Com
mittee, has publicly announced in the
halls. of the Senate that he will not sup
port any Of the measures of the National
Democratic platform.
Taking all these things into considers
ton does 1t not appear to the true Demo-
crat that something will soon have to be
done to promote the principles and inter-
ests Of the Democratic party in this
State3 We will have to down the Popu-
listic ideas that are now being agitated in
our ssate, or the Democratic party here
will be wrecked. No man can be DEM
ocrat and advocate the principles of an
other party.
No, Gen. Hampton does not propose to
lead an Independent party movement,
and he does not propose to organize the
Leagues here unless the Democrats de-
sire it. The people Of South Carolina
know that he is q Democrat Of the purest
sort, that he is safe and wise leader,
and those who accuse him Of being at the
head of an independent party in South
Carolina are men who are judging him
by themselves.
We are> OF the opinion that there are
Thousands Of men in South Carolina who,
while they are not allied with what is
termed the Conservative Democracy,
will not endorse the Populist platform,
and when the lines are strictly drawn
they will be found in the ranks of the
Democratic party. From present indl-
cations, we believe that line will have to
be drawn sooner or later, butt until then
we doubt the wisdom Of attempting the
organization Of the Democratic Leagues,
for It will only give the enemies of true
Democracy an opportunity to cry inde-
pendentism and continue to make politi-
cal capital out of it. Let us do as Fagan
Martin says, "!Watch," ard when true
Democratic principles are again buried
by those who now have the party ma
ohinery in their hands, we can be
ready to act promptly and take up the
old Democratic ship and pilot 1t safely
into the harbor