The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-25

teal relationship which should prevail
between US. Such an organization is
presented by the National Association
of Democratic Clubs. Its principles are
thus formulated in the second article of
its Constitution
The objects Of this association are as
follows:
To foster the formation Of permanent
Demo c ratio clubs and societies through
out the United States, and insure their
active cooperation in disseminating
Jeffersonian principles Of government.
TO preserve the Constitution of the
United States, the autonomy of the
States, local self government, and free
dom of elections
To resist revolutionary changes and
the Capitalization of power.
TO oppose imposition Of taxes be-
youd the necessities of government
economically administered.
To promote economy in all branches
of the public service.
To oppose unnecessary commercial
restrictions for the benefit Of the few at
rhe expense of the many.
To oppose class legislation, which de-
spoils labor and builds up monopoly.
To maintain inviolate, the fupdamen-
tai principles Of Democracy-''Equality
before the law"
To cooperate with the regular organ
%ization of the Democratic party 10 sup
port Of Democratic men and Demo-
cratic measures.
These propositions embody only in
disputable Democratic doctrines. They
are in general terms, the faith of the
founders Of the party. and all true
Democrats Of this, as of preceding gen.
erations. That statement Of them was
20, only adopted by the first national
convention Of Democratic clubs at Bal
timore in 1888, and readopted By the
second national convention at New
York in 1892, but it has been formally
adopted by many State Democratic So
%cieties from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and by thousands Of primary societies,
members of the State societies, aud of
the National Association. Can you SUP:
pose a more perfect guarantee of future
harmony upon sound principles than
such a mighty brotherhood Of Demo
Gratis. North, South, East. and West,
ready to encourage and defend the
party, in whatever section assailed ?
Such az organization. holding to the
letter Of the Constitution and the strict
construction commandments Of our
fathers, as the indispensable conditions
Of the continuance Of our republican In
situations. would. in a very few years,
make this country permanently Demo
cratic, and in the meantime, it would.
if generally adopted in the Southern
States, secure them agains. the tenn
porary inroads Of third parties pro-
voked bp momentary ills. and propos-
ing, invariably. undemocratic and uu-
constitutional measures of relief.
If, in addition, your people will re-
member, that the Democratic society
was the original organization of the
entire Democratic party that it was
only by means Of Democratic socie-
ties that Democrats addressed each
other, or the world, in the earliest days
of the republic ; that it was the expedi-
ent of Jefferson and his compeers; that
indeed, the popular club has ever been
the most efficient engine Of popular
agitation ; that the thuuders Of the Dem
ocra:ic societies of the Soath were
heard from end to end of the land 10
the FIRST struggle between Democracy
and Federalism, and that the societies
of Virginia and South Carolina were
specially conspicuous 10 those times,
when the everlasting foundations Of
our deathless party were laid, they will
accept the proposition to institute them
anew with the greater alacrity.
suggest that you consider this sub
ject at your earliest convenience. and
that you ask, in the way you deem best,
the cooperation of the Democrats Of
South Carolina in the institution Of a
system Of Democratic societies, which
shall embrace every election district in
your State. Each of them should be
onrol1od NTH rho National Association
Lawrence Gardner, secretary, Wash
ington. D c.. AID at the proper time,
you will doubtless consider it advisable
to call a State convention Of deputies
from the several societies to form the
Democratic society of South Carolina.
| remain with great respect, very
truly yours.
CHAuScEY F. BLACK.
Hon. Wade Hampton.