The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-31

mit-oo the part Of many. to prevent
wrangiiag 10 our cwn ranks aud co.,
censrate onrsforces in support Of some
one candidate But what then becomes
Of the grand principle Of free. fair
and open fight before the people. and
discussion by the candidates. if such
convention be held? In 1890, after be-
ing defeated 10 the campaigns Of 1886
and 1888 by reason Of our disorganized
condition, the reform Democrats de-
cided to meet in convention. io order
to pit organization against organization
and to force discussion of the issues
because nearly ell the newspapers we're
against Us. The ring, at that slime,
had full possession Of all the party
machinery. They were entreuched in
the State House, and it was fels neees-
sa.y to formulate a platform and put
forth exponeuts Of the principles de-
clared in that platform, to canvass the
State and arouse the people to esrry
those principles to victory. The con-
disious are entirely changed now. The
Reformers are in absolute possession OF
che government. both in State and
county, except in half dozsn coso-
ties. We have the entire party ma
chinery in our possession aud. if we
hold convention without 4 campaign
in which sll the candidates shall hare
bearing. We ssulsify ourselves, fore
st.il the will of the people, assume 70
dictate who shall be the Candidates for
che Offices and, in truth, such conven-
zion would be, 10 the light Of facts. 9
convention Of Reiormers.. The machine
which we Tough. in 1898 is dead; it no
longer exists. = sss
.'Well Governor, what about the ar
euments in favor of q convention :"
There is only one argument. and
that is this With, say. half a dozen men
prominent 10 the Reform movement,
and allied with it, all running for the
Office Of Governor, it might be possible
for our opponents to give their
strength to some one Of those who
would be least objectionable aud most
inclined to trade with them, or make
concessions if elected. and, thereby,
che Conservatives in some Of the coun-
ties and possibly in the State conveu-
zion, might hold the balance Of power.
This is the only argument that has pre-
sented itself to me and I think it is the
only one that has presented itself to
any one; but | think the people are sut-
ficiently educated aud can be relied
upon to watch the words and remem-
Der the records of the various candi-
dates SO as to choose wisely who shall
be Governor and who shall fill the
other Offices"
.'On the one hand, if we hold con-
vention, the trouble is that large con-
tingent Of our people, majority prob
ably. 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 vast deal Of et1er-
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 we'll under way, the issues Of the
coming campaign, which I take to be
che dispensary law and the holding Of
constitutional convention, will be
thoroughly discussed by Reformers
and ants and the people will no doubt
elect such men as will carry out their
wishes
If, after four years and discussion
and agitation. and another canvass,
our people shall not have become suf-
6ciently educated to make wise Sc
lection and see that only good men are
put on guard I fail to see how the hold
ing Of a convention aud forestalling
their action will better our condition.
The danger of some weak man, who is
lacking in backbone and perve to con-
sinue and perfect the reforms which have
been inaugurated during my incum-
bency. 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 common
wealth.
ITO return to the convention system,
after proolaiming our belief in the abil-
ity and right of the people to govern
themselves, is like dog returning to
his vonit, and would be ashamed to
60 on the stump as the nominee Of
auch convention. Let the men who
desire to rule South Carolina win their
spurs, as | woh mine, by open discus
sion and fair fight, and all will be
we'll. Let any self-constituted leaders
undertake to call convention and
nominate ticket, and the order to the
army of Reformers to advance will