The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-12-12
I foolishlv taken the frozen viper to
their bosom only 70 receive It's deadly

is it necessary for me to warn the
young men of our State of the dangers
that threaten us? Must l picture Souh
Carolina PROSTATE. struggling in the
days of reconstruction? Must !, the
son, of a Confederate soldier, ask his
comrades to pause and consider: Will
the sun turn upon his mother and
pierce her through the heart with the
same blade that Smote her traducer
| cannot believe it. nor will do it,
nor will those who follow me. | say
here and now upon the threshold OF
my administration to those who op.
pose me: Come, let us reason to.
gether." There is no room III South
Carolina for divided hearts. If the
invitation is refused, remember, South
Carolina shall not suffer. Let the
blow fall upon the heads of those who
seek to rule or ruin; do not fear the
result.
1t has been truly said that of all the
States of the Union, the citizens OF
South Carolina are possessed Of more
characteristic individuality. 1t is eX-
pressed by an English historian in
these words: They are first South
Carolinians, next Southerners, and
lastly Americans. This is true; we
are South Carolinians from birth and
choice. Southerners from principle.
and Americans from force Of crcum-
stances. We cannot compromise prin-
ciple, we will not surrender our birth
right. and we must make the best OF
our surrounding circumstances. Let
us then, in adjusting our differences,
remember that we are South Carroll
mans, and the only plane upon which
we can meet is that of equality, guld-
ed by wisdom, justice and moderation.
Never in the history of our country
was more patriotic action needed on
the part of our citizens. The crisis
which confronts us threatens the very
life of our institutions and industries.
We are an agricultural people-farm-
ers, if YOU please-dependent upon the
products Of the soil for existence; as
they prosper, SO prospers the State.
Cotton raising and cotton manufactu-
ring will ever be the chief industries
of our State. God has made it so, and
we cannot change it. We are today
the leaders in cotton manufacturing III
the South; our laws are more favora-
BILE and our water powers grander and
cheaper than elsewhere in the Union
strikes are unknown among our oper-
atives, and the greatest harmony and
good Will exists between employerand
employed. Our mills have continued
to work to their utmost capacity even
in time of panic, when Northern mills
were forced to shut down: they have,
with few exceptions, declared dlvl-
dends ranging from 6 fo Is per cent.
upon the capital invested, besides in
many instances doubling their capaci-
ty from fhe surplus profits.
While all this is encouraging, and
this industry should be foStered by
every means in the power Of our Gen
eral Assembly, I regret to say the con
dition of the cotton producer is posi-
lively alarming. While the demand
for cotton goods has increased and the
price remains comparatively steady.
we find the price Of the raw material
lower than ever in the history Of our
country in times of peace; yes, even
lower than the cost Of production. In
seeking for the cause Of so abnormal
a fact we are told that over-produc,
ton and want of economy at home
are the reasons. Our farmers are ad
vised to raise less cotton and practice
more rigid economy at home and
leave the government alone. We
are contemptuouslv told to plow on.
Be not deceived. This is the voice OF
usurers and hypocrites. While over
production, according to the law OF
supply and demand, does tend to de-
crease the price of products, the de
cline should always be in proportion
to the surplus stock. Such has moi
been the case with our products, and
we must look elsewhere for relief.
We have been the victims since the
civil war of the most Infamous system
of robbery under the guise of Repub
lcan government known tothe world
Our crops are now sold before they
are planted and the price is fixed by
gamblers and spectators i year II
advance. The currency of our coun
try is allowed to be restricted or lntia
ted at the caprice of the bankers anc
bondholders, and it is invariably re
stricted; indeed to such an extent un
til now dollar buys almost one hun
dred per cent. more cotton than 1t dlc
two years ago. BY the imposition 0.
an unconstitutional tariff and uncon
scionable pensions the fixed charge:
upon our farms have almost beer
doubled, until bankruptcy now stare:
usin the face. We are fast losing oul
position as an independent State, ane
are becoming to the North what Ire
land is to England. dependent prov
ince. Our large plantations are beine
bought up and converted into hunt
ing preserves by the rich barons wh(
reap the profits of honest labor unde'
protective government. We wei
come capital to our State IN any shape
or form, but we cannot but deplor'
the hardship of our own people, wh'
are forced to part with their home
under circumstances that should no
exist. 1t is indeed painful to me t
picture to you this gloomy outlook
but the time has come when the Soutl
and the agricultural classes of the ma
ton must strike for their preservation
and existence The agricultural ar
mics must move and must be led.
The party which has been true to u
in the past and to which we must lool
in future has suffered defeat from on
extreme of the nation to the other
Nv prediction to you has been fulfill
ed, and there is ncta Democratic Stat
north OF Mason and Dixon S line. Th'
Northeast seems to be deaf to our ap
pealS. and the ray of light which w
had hoped to see in the West ha
proved to be as fickle as an auror;
borealis. South Carolina has led il
every great moral. social and pohtlca
reform, and it remains for us now t
SET the pace for the nation which vii