The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1894-01-30

possible for our opponents to give their
strength to some one of those who
would be least Objectionable and most
inclined to trade with them or make
concessions If elected and thereby
the Conservatives in some Of the coun-
ties, and possibly in the State conven-
tion, might hold the balance of power.
This is the only argument that has
ever presented itself to me, and think
it is the only one to any one; but l
think the people are sufficiently edu-
the words and remember the records Of
the various candidates so as TO choose
wisely who shall be Governor and who
shall fill the other officers"
ION the other hand. If we hold
convention the trouble is that large
contingent of our people, u majority
probably, would take no hand in it, for
it is very early, and there are no signs
of any perturbation among the masses,
although there is a vast deal OF etfer-
vescing in the minds of those who want
to get Office. In due time, after the
crops are laid by or at least after
they are well under way, the issues Of
the coming campaign, which l take to
be the dispensary law and the holding
of constitutional convention, will be
thoroughly discussed by Reformers and
antis and the people will no doubt
elect such much men as will carry out
their wishes"
If after four years discussion and
agitation and another canvass our peo-
pie shall not have become sufficiently
educated to make wise selection and
see that only good men are put on
guard fail to see how the holding of u
convention and forestalling their ac-
tion will better our condition. The
danger OF some weak men, who arc
lacking in backbone nerve to continue
and perfect the reforms which have
been inaugurated during my incum-
| bcncy, being elected is as nothing com
| pared to the danger of the people feel
ing that they have been betrayed and
| that Office is the paramount object
rather than the welfare of the COM
! monwealth."
ITO return to the convention system,
| after proclaiming our beliGi IA the
ability and right of the people to gov
ern themselves, is like a dog returning
to his vomit, and would be ashamed
to go on the stump as the nominee OF
such convention. Let the men who
desire to rule South Carolina win their
spurs, as ] won mine, by open discus
sion and fair fight, and all will be
| VIGIL. lCU uHy SCll-CollSOluuIcu iCouSl
undertake to call Il convention and
nominate ticket and the order to the
army of Reformers to advance will only
be obeyed by small contingent. De-
moraliZation and rccrimination will
surely follow and, while the 10000 Con.
servatives are ranged in Scrricd
| phalanX, moving as one man, the Re.
form forces will be scattered and
divided. If we cannot trust the pco
pie, they should not trust us: and, il
my advice has any weight, they will
absolutely refuse to countenance any at
tempt to cheat them of the right o
seeing the aspirants for Office face tc
face and Judging them on thcil
merits"
81 do not wish to say more and il
Justice to myself and those who have
trusted me l cannot say less. o
course. if the people want to hold ;
convention it is their right and they
will do so anyway. No one can object
least of all the candidates"