The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-01-24
Another Open Letter.

uOG U66u aCCOuipliSA00s 0uo Soh NV va
without the exercise Of harmony, justice,
common sense and fair dealing. have
had but one purpose from the very
bv It to the very best os my ability.
Notwithstanding this, I have been peIse-
cuted BY men supposed to be prominent
in the reform movement, from the very
beginning, until T made up my mind
that I would not submit to it any longer
and appealed to true men among US to
protect me against such political assassi-
nation. It is not my fault that We have
these evidences OF division in our State.
I furnished no excuse for every refOrmer
who goes into Columbia from the rural
districts, to the State House, to be taken
to one side and groomed and prejudiced
against stIrby's management of the
party when even the anti's themselves
+ acknowledge that my conduct as chair
man has been perfectly fair.
S aI am unwilling that a Third Party
leader take charge OF the reform pove-
ment in South Carolina and thus dictate
the nominees of the Democratic party.
81 am satisfied that the people of the State
will not submit to it, and the sooner he
and others, who expect to resp Office
under him, find this ont the better for
him and the movement.
s. t.I answer you frankly as to what I
think ought to be done so far as can
see. There are six or seven other cam
d dates for guberr atoritl honors. Tte,e
men have been true and loyal and are all
able men. They are entitled, at least, to
a fair contest and the protection of the
principles of the first March Convention,
the most prominent Of which was the
right OF the people to name their candi-
date instead Of ring in the Ststs House.
HWill be necessary, before the campaign
that is to be ordered by me, ss Demo-
CRATE chairman, that these contests shall
ibs settled within the lines of our faction
and that'af the people have had time
to weigh and measure them and conclude
as to their choice, the successful one
shall be given the colors Of cur faction to
meet the Conservative faction on the
stump. before the general primary cleo
ton. This can not be done with an early
convention held and snap judgment taken
before the people haYe seen or heard the
various candidates who seek the endorse
ment of the reform party. It savors too
much OF, the old ring rule and Haskellite
method and our people will not counte-
nance it, This is perfectly fair and all
parties will be satisfied but the people
who believe in the theory and system of
primary elections will not stand for two
or three men, one a leader of the third
and the self constituted spokesmen of the
reform party, the other traitor to the
reform party who seeks, as an emissary
and other men who desire Office, to fix
MP slate now, have it endorsed by
convention as early as March and
rammed down their throats. say this
because, If their scheme is allowed to go
through under tho whip and spur Of the
ring the movement can not stand. Self
respecting men would rather 60 to the
wall than to serve under traitor to bis
and to see themselves assassi-
mated in the dark by men who have
claimed to be their friends and the peo-
ple robbed of the benefits Of the vital
principles of the first March platform.
''This has been written to you just as
think it and believe it. 7 have tried to be
true to every man In the State House
and subjected myself to abuse and criti-
cism in 1892 for leaving my seat in tho
Senate to go to South Carolina to work
for them and their reelection. I do not
intend now to be abused by them.
AS you suggest I, being the State chair
man, have no right to call a factional
Lave never aSSuIuou oT
any such action nor could
such conclusion be drawn from any
thing that ] have said or written. The
last presided over by the
Hon. G. w. Shell, is detunct because,
when the crisis came in '92 we failed t.,
have seen or heard Of any action from
him in behalf Of the reform movement
and besides, its purpose was fulfilled as q
political organization as soon ay its object
was accomplished, the control of the
whole State government by the people.
It being temporary organization, could
not exist longer than the inauguration OF
the State officers. He,. therefore, can not
call and convene caucus or convention
and the only way for it TO be done regu-
lerly within our party lines is, as sug-
gested by the Laurens Alliance. Request
Governor Tillman to call around him the
leaders, draft rules and call convention
If they see fit.
'sIn conclusion, allow me to say that
will do more and go further to heal the
breach and unite our forces than perhaps
any man who has been treated as harshly
in the house of my friends, but will not
submit to the dictates Of Third Party
leaders and traitors to our movement,
let the consequences to be what they
may. s'Very respectfully,