The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-03-07
Tillnan Manifesto.
The State, March 8.

The State, March 8.
Everything is practically settled in
regard to the calling Of that early cou-
vention of the Reformers which the
Alliance faction SO vigorously demand
ed at Washington at the conference
held about month ago, aud which the
Irby- Evans faction so vigorously kicked
against.
The Colleton idea is going to sbe
worked out as speedily as possible 10
the several counties, with some modi-
6catious. and the convention is going to
be held some time in April. The de-
velopments The State spoke of caused
Governor Tillman to back down from
his intention to directly call a conven
ton accompanying it with an address to
the people, but the Alliance people DO
not care about the matter one way or the
other. The Colleton idea, as already
stated, will accomplish their purposes
as we'll as direct call. Nominations
may be looked for when the convention
meets.
Governor Tillman has, however, is
sued what amounts to the same thing
as call, in manifesto mentioned yes
terday in The State, which has been
placed in the deceptive fern of an in
terview. In reality it is nothing bat
the call be was to issue, but in another
shape It was published 10 the organ
yesterday morning being given to it
exclusively, no other paper or CORES
poudent being allowed access to it.
Being such contrast to the interview
published by the Governor upon bis
return from Washington on the matter
of an early convention, aud amounting
to call over his own signature. it is
deemed of sufficient Importance to the
readers o., The State to quote the prin-
cipal portions Of it. The Governor has
couched what he bad to say in very!
carefully chosen language. 10 giving
his ideas Of the call issued by the Collie
ton people, the Governor says:
81 feel some reluctance 10 obtruding
my views on the public on a matter
which l fully discussed in an interview
shortly after my return from Washing
ton. There is evident among the peo-
pie a feeling Of restlessness and an
uncertainty arising from all this talk
and advocacy of an early convention.
If the 'antis' were making any active
moves, could understand it. and see
how it would be desirable or necessary
to concentrate the Reform vote in sup
port of one leader, but the advocates Of
a convention to nominate a Reform
candidate for Governor appear to for
get that such a nomination, without
previous discussion to allow the people
to Judge of the fitness of the various
aspiran,s, is totally inconsistent with all
our previous professions and practices,
and must necessarily breed heartburn
ipgs among the candidates who may be
cut out and cause disgust among their
friends. The dangers which some men
profess to see, if there is free-for all
race in the primary, do not appear to
me as great as those which will confront
US should the man who may get such
nomination not meet the expectations Of
the people when he begins to canvass. y
The Governor stated that the caudi-
date for Governor will make a canvass
Of the State. and continues:
"Why, of course. The constitution
Of the Democra party in this State
requires candidates for State Offices to
make canvass, aud should conven-
ton pus forward a man who did not
give satisfaction on the stump, some
other Reformer, or unobjectional anti
would inevitably be brought out and
might beat the convention nominee.
We had better be consistent in our
practices and adhere to our principles
and ran the one danger rather than
stultify our>elves and at the same time
run the other risk. -
In regard to the course to be pursued
by the Reformers. he says /:
The Coleton people have bit on a
scheme to allay the unrest, which is,
perhaps, as good as any, With two ad-
di'ions or changes. They we're in too
big hurry, and instead of calling a
convention of one from each county. the
mass meeting of Reformers iu the differ
eot counties should simply meet
and elect one of their best
men, with no axe to grind
to form State campaign committee.
1t takes at least three weeks for anv
movement among the people to get
under way, SO as to carry the whole
mass. One half the Reformers in Collie.
tor do not yet know that a mass meet
ing is called for that county mex. Mon
day, and not knowing it, they would
resent anv radical ,ot;o, cnoL 80