The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-07

Nciy Iiuiy ~ ="
Letter from Dr. w. H. Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, Edgefield Co.. s. c..
Messrs. Jno. R. Blake, r. r. HemphiIi, Jno.
n. Morrah, Isaac n; McCalls, Jno. E. Brad
Dear Sirs-Yours of 22nd has been received,
courteously inviting me "tO address a mass
meeting Of the Democrats OF Abbeville coun-
ty at Abbeville Court House on Saleday In
sues of the day."
Whilst not an avowed candidate for the
high position for which my name has been
suggested, hope 10 be able 10 comply with
siderations Of political nature, / rave for
O long time desired to visit your progressive
town and mingle with her cultivated citizen
ship. Very respectfully,
Your obdient servant,
w. II. Zimmerman.
Letter faom General w. III. EIlerbe.
Executive Department.,
Office Of Comptroller General:
Colombia, 9. c., Feb. q, 1894.
General R. r. Hemphill and others, others. n.
Gentlemen-Your esteemed favor OF the
22nd inst. inviting me TO be with you and ad-
dress mass meeting of the citizens or Ao.
not reach me until yesterday. 1t would af.
ford me great pleasure to be with you and ad-
dress the good people OF Abbeville upon
state and national issuses but circu instances
and official duties compel me to forego the
pleasure.
With best wishes for you, gentlemen, and
the success OF your meeting and OF the Re.
form party OF the State,
w. H. Ellerbe.
OF the State Alliance.
Office Of President Farmers State Alliance
Of South Carolina,
Mr.. ]. r. Blake, Abheville, S. c.:
Dear Str-Please express my thanks TO the
committee OF the Reform Democracy OF yonr
county far the kind invitation sent me 10 ad.
Monday In March. regret very much that
cannot accept the invitation, as there will
be q mass meeting OF reformers here on the
same day aud my presence VIII De 2 expected.
ty Of candidate for Governor or nothing, u
will give me great pleasure TO meet my fel-
low citizens Of your county.
Yours respectfully, w. ID. Evans.
Letter OF Hon. ]. e. Tindal.,
Messrs. John r. Blake, r. R. Hemphill, John
Fl, Morrah, Isaac II. McCaia, and John 4.
Bradley, Comittee, Abbeville S. C..
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
OF your invitation 10 address the people OF
Abbeville as q candidate for Cover nor. I
desire 70 express my thanks for the compli.
ment, but had never declared that would
or would not be candidate. had not sup
posed that the Reformers would again place
but thought the people OF their own motion
would gravitate TO some man or men In suf-
hcient numbers TO warrant him or them
In entering upon canvass OF tie Stale Win
reasonable hope OF success.
At present our people are puzzled and In
somewhat chaotic condition. Unless we pro-
ceed wisely, discords and danger are before
Us. My judgment opposes any nominating
convention, either early or late. / am no
schIsmatic and will cheerfully abide by the
decision OF the majority, but deem It my
duty TO earnestly advise against 1t.
Farmers Movemen'. the al n of which was n
Agricultural College. We expanded that into
the Reform Party, and appealed to the people
Of WScs sad
time defeated the college and had practically
deprived majority OF the people Of their
proper influence upon public affairs. Our OBJ
ject was to secure TO every Democratic voter In
the State the privilege OF casting bis vote d.
rect for every officer from Governor down.
The farmers being removed and scattered
from the centres OF political Information were
practically disfranchised, because before
on, states were made, conventions paokd and
nominees declared.
ination in pressnce OF negro majority,
which prevented revolt The men who
composed the so-caled:riDg were OF no worse
type OF human nature than poltllclans gen.
ring is inherent in the convention system un.
der our political conditions II we, therefore,
return TO 1t another ring must inevitably
evolve sooner or latter In our ranks. And
extreme and violent. The scare crow Of the
old ring was Radical rule. The scare crow ol
the future ring will be ANTI rule" The peo-
pie will throw up their hats In honor OF VIC.
fact they are re eenslaving themselves. For
what do they, when they commit their rights
power, liberty and means OF self-defence To a
few, who are autocratic, absolute and respon.
sibe TO nobody. There Is no way 10 punish
them In case they bartered the offices among
themselves. There ls but one way for the
people to maintain their influence upon pub
lio affairs and thatis TO use intelligently their
votes.
am aware that true and unselfsh Re form.
ers are advocating the Convention, although
1t IL going back upon our principles. Why
lst,-Because we have not estaDlished Q
square primary, but primary for electors
enc, because as several candidates for Gov.
ernor may be In the race. II Is feared that this
will give the Conservatives some supposed
advantage.
This fear In face Of our large majoriy must
arise from distrust OF the Reformers them.
selves. which Is groundless. This mistrus'
has grown out OF unlOrtu0at6 personal re-
ordinations between some OF our influential
Reformers. All danger can be, and must be
averted by thorough organization OF the Re
form forces 10 secure their full strength at the
Democratic election.
Our real danger Is from passions and pref
udices which exist. A violent minority In
the State makes a violent majority. There
are Reformers already, who II they could
would not allow the Conservatives 10 vote al
the democratic primary; and there are Con
servatives who would disfranchise the whole
Reform party.
It requires moral courage for Reformer To
| be just 70 a Conservative and vice versa. Pas
sion ia supplanting reason. Mud singing and
pulling down one man TO build up another IL
| low In politics, but 1t thrives where passion
rules and where selfshness supplants patriot
ism. This is evil and hurtful TO both factions
and dangerous for the State. 1t is leading In
short line 10 a split in the Dem ocratic par
ty. -
Prejudice and passion are the tools used tc
defeat or TO rob the people. The Republican
party has lived upon sectional prejudice.
| In 1888 when South Carolina tried to null.
lify the tariff, the manufacturers OF New Eng
land organized an abolition society. and some
years later Hooded the South with iusurrec
tionary pamphlets like a thunder clap In d
clear sky. 1t was done 70 stir up passion In
| the South, and divert the mind Of the people
OF the United States from the tariff to slavery