The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-31
ESTABLISHED 1865.

from participation in its counsels, IN
which one part by express decision
arrays itself against the other, and in
which one part uses the other merely
to carry its own decisions into e1ecu-
ton. Tie conservatives will, in my
opinion, act with the densest stupid
ity unless, before again joining with
such an exclusive and tyrannical fac
ton, they stipulate for the absolute
abolition of such outrageous caucuses,
and also provide for their own with
drawal in case the condition is vio-
lated.
The foregoing statements and views
virtually outline the policy which L
think the conservative Democrats
should pursue in the approaching
campaign-which is, the union with
the reform" element on certain con-
ditions, to be declared on the organiza-
ton of Democratic clubs, and to be
acted upon in the campaign. concur
in Gov. Hampton's suggestions to this
extent: that the conservatives ought
to organize clubs under plain and we'll
determined Democratic principles, TAX
ing care. by some form of words, to de-
clare our allegiance to those principles,
and expressly providing against Popu-
lism, its sub-treasury plan and its
scheme for the Federal government to
assume control of railroads and tele-
graph lines, and also providing against
all caucuses for concerting measures or
naming candidates for Office. l pro-
pose also to ignore any rule against
the formation of new clubs, and to
organize a club wherever a sufficient
number of Democrats for representa-
ton in a county convention can be got
together. I propose that all such
clubs shall, at their formation, set
forth explicitly the principles above
mentioned. I propose that if any
club embracing number of mem-
bers sufficient to entitle it to one or
more delegates in county convention,
is refused representation in such con-
vention, all the conservative clubs
shall withdraw from that convention
and decline to be bound by its action.
I propose that no conservative shall be
bound by the action of any county or
State convention which shall promul-
gate or concur in either of the Populist
doctrines before mentioned. I Propose
that conservatives shall be absolved
from all connection with or obligation
to any county or State convention
where "Reform" members, or a ma
iority of them, shall hold a caucus
either to concert measures or to NOM
mate candidates for public Office. The
form of such stipulations can be easily
framed, if we once decide to adopt
them. I, for one, do not intend to en-
roll myself in any club, to be associated
with the reformed Democracy"
either in conventions or in primary
elections, until have these guarantees
first, that the party am to act with
is really Democratic, and, second, that
I and men Of my way of thinking shall
not be caucussed out of political exist
ence, and used merely for the election
of candidates who treat US as enemies.
1t is not my desire to form or to en-
courage the formation Of an independ-
ent party. 1t is not my purpose to ap-
peal to the negro. The practical ex-
clusion Of the negro Democrats under
the late "Reform" regulations is out
rageous, certainly; but do not advo-
cate separation of the white men OF
the State from ore another on that ac-
count; ard will never consent to call
upon that race to arbitrate between
contendipg factions Of white men. l
would rather endure any tyranny from
the men of my own race than risk the
civilization and happiness of the State
on the negro vote.
Nor 10 / join in the unqualified con-
demuation Of the Performers" which
we often read and hear. Some Of my
best personal friends are in that party,
and I know that many Of our best cit
iZens are in those ranks. The trouble
is that their good men are usually kept
in the ranks, while their worst are put
in office. Nor DO I hold that that
party has by sny means monopoly
of incapable or unprincipled men. We
conservatives have with US fearfully
long list of each kind.
But / do hold that that faction is, so
far, mainly controlled by unscrupu-
lous, office-seeking demagogues, with
little ability, and less inclination, to
serve the interests of the people, and
that their adherents have been led by
them to commit themselves 10 ideas
and actions utterly irreconcilable with
the fundamental principles of Dem-
ocracy. And holding such opinions, l
am forced to hold that our fealty to
the Democratic party and its princi-
pies requires US TO obtain certain safe
guards before consummating an irrevo-
cable contract of political union with
that faction.
# we fail to secure the assurances
have indicated, or if that faction, after
giving them, violates its compact with
US, we shall have to act as we then
find best. And l am sure that we
shall be able to do at least az well,
when thrown on our own resources, as
we should if remaining subject to party
tyranny. But our proper course IN
such a contingency need not be dis
cnssed lust vet. Let time and circum-