The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-03-15
DESIRES NO THIRD TERM.

DEOlHES NU lHlhU lEKM
B. R. TlLLMAN IS NOT A GUBERNATo
RIAL CANDIDATE:
Mr.. Y. L. TindaI Explains Hts Position IL
the Race-Letters of Regret from w. ID
Evans and w. III. Ellerbee-Dr. Thinner
man Depired to be Present.
ABBEvILLE, S. c., March 5.-The fol.
lowing letters were received by the
committee in charge Of the meeting
here today:
Columbia, S. c., Feb. "a, 1894.
Messrs. John II. Blake, II. r. Hemphill,
j. II. Morrah, Isaac II. McCalla, j ohm
e. Bradley.
Gentlemen: Your letter of the 22nd
instant inviting me as one of those
who will probably be candidate for
Governor, thus to address mass meet
March, reached me yesterday. In reply
permit me to say am not candidate
for the Office of Governor, not desiring
third term. Therefore do not come
within the category of those you wish
to hear speak. Such being the case,
respectfully decline the invitation and
will not be with you. Thanking you
for the compliment, am, Very truly,
b. r. Tillman.
Messrs. John r. Blake, r. II. Hemp
hill, John II. Morrah, Isaac H. Mccall
la and John e. Bradley, committee, Alb.
beville, S. G.
Gentlemen: have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your invita-
tion to address the people Of Abbeville
as candidate for Governor. / desire
to express my thanks for the compli-
would or would not be candidate.
had not supposed that the Reformers
would again place candidates before
the people by convention, but that
the people Of their own motion would
gravitate to some man or men In suf-
fcient numbers to warrant him OF
them In entering upon a canvass Of the
State, with reasonable hope Of success.
At present our people are puzzled and
In somewhat chaotic condition. Un-
less we proceed wisely, discord and
dangers are before us. My Judgment
opposes any nominating convention
ic and will cheerfully abide by tho de-
cis1on of the majority; but deem 1t my
duty to earnestly advise against 1t.
1 was one of the first promoters of
the Farmers Movement, the aim of
which was an Agricultural College.
We expanded that IN to the Reform
party, and appealed to the people of all
classes against political combination
called a ring. which had opposed and
for time defeated the college and had
practically deprived a majority of tht
people OF their proper influence upor
public affairs. Our object was to se
cure to every Democratic voter in tht
State the privilege of casting his ballot
direct to every officer from Governor
down.
The farmers being scattered and re-
moved from centres OF political 1nfor-
nation were practically disfranchised,
because before they could become aware
OF what was going or, n,slates were made,
convention packed and nominees de-
clared.
This was due to the Convention plan
OF nominations, in presence Of a negro
majority, which prevented revolt. The
men who composed the so-called ring
were of no worse type of human ma
ture than politicians generally. No
one believes they were. But ring is
inherent In the convention system un-
der our political conditions. If we
therefore return to it, another ring
must inevitably evolve sooner or later
In our ranks. And who will compose
1T? Evidently the most extreme and
violent. The scarecrow of the old ring
was "Radical Rule" The scarecroW
of the future ring will be "Anti Rule "
The people will throw up their hats in
honor Of victory, as they suppose Of
their party, while in fact they are re-
enslaving themselves. For what do
they when they commit their rights,
power, liberty and means of self de-
tense to few, who are autocratic alb
solute and responsible to nobody
There is no way to punish them III case
they bartered the offices among them
selves. There is but one way for the
people to maintain their influence up
on public affairs and that is to use in
telligently their votes.
am aware that true and unselfish
Reformers are advocating the ConYen-
tton, although 1t is going back upon
our principles. Whyp 1st. Because
we have not established a square pri-
mary, but primary for electors. End.
because as several candidates for Gov
ernor may be in the race, 1t is feared
that TINS Will give the Conservatives
some supposed advantage. This fear
| in the face Of our large majority must
| arise from distrust Of the Reformers
themselves, which is groundless. This
mistrust has grown out Of unfortu.
nate personal recriminations between
| some OF our influential Reformers. ALI
danger can, and must be averted, by
| thorough organization Of the Reform
forces to secure their full strength in
| the Democratic election.
Our real danger Is from the passions
and prejudices which exist. A violent
! minority In the State makes a violent
| majority. There are Reformers al
ready, who If they could, would not al.
low Conservatives to vote at the De-
mocratic primary. And there are Con.
servatiyes who would dIsfranchise the
whole Reform party. 1t requires NOR
al courage for the Reformers to be Just