The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-12

tldt threaten llSf MuSL plcIufeOouIi
Carolina PROSTATE, struggling in thu
days of reconstruction Must I, tht
son, of a Confederate soldier, ask hi
comrades to pause and consider? Viii
the sun turn upon his mother ant
pierce her through the heart with tht
same blade that smote her traducer
I cannot believe it, nor will I do it
nor will those who follow me. I say
here and now upon the threshold O
my administration to those who op
pose me: Come, let us reason to
gether." There is no room in South
Carolina for divided hearts. If the
invitation is refused, remember, Soutf
Carolina shall not suffer. Let the
blow fall upon the heads of those who
seek to rule or ruin; I 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 circum,
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, guild
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 e-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 IN
the South; our laws are more favorac
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 employer and
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 divi-
dends ranging from 6 TO 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 Cen
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 contemptuously 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 not
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-
ican government known to the world.
Our crops are now sold before they
are planted and the price is fixed by
gamblers and spectators a year in
advance: The currency of our coun-
try is allowed to be restricted or inha-
ted at the caprice of the bankers and
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 it did
two years ago. By the imposition of
an unconstitutional tariff and uncon-
scionable pensions the fixed charges
upon our farms have almost been
doubled, until bankruptcy now stares
us in the face. We are fast losing our
position as an Independent State, and
are becoming to the North what Ire
land is to England, a dependent prov
ince. Our large plantations are being
bought up and converted into hunt
ing preserves by the rich barons who
reap the profits of honest labor under
protective government. We well
come capital to our State in any shape
or form, but we cannot but deplore
the hardship of our own people, who
are forced to part with their homes
under circumstances that should not
exist. It is indeed painful to me to
picture to you this gloomy outlook,
but the time has come when the South
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 us
in the past and to which we must look
in future has suffered defeat from one
extreme of the nation to the other.
My prediction to you has been fulfill
ed, and there is nota Democratic State
north of Mason and Dixon's line. The