The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-06-11
II 8. G.. June II, 1896.
Z Time to get Together.

ZINE 10 get Together.
The Democrats of Edgefield County
have agreed to make an equaldivision
OF the delegation from that county in
the Constitutional Convention between
the Reform and Conservative factions
OF the party. Senator Tillman, as we
believe, is largely responsible for this
desirable result. The Democrats of
Aiken County have agreed to make an
equal division OF the delegation from
that county. Governor Evans, as we
believe, deserves credit for this result.
There are other strong Reform coun-
ties in tho State that will probably fol-
low the same patriotic plan, but in or
der to obtain q non-factional Conven-
ton 1T is necessary that there shall be
an equal division "inthe whole Conven-
tion. This Is what the Tillman-Barn-
we'll Conference agreed upon, and we
are satisfied that no other plan will be
acceptable to the patriotic, peace low
ing people OF the State.
There seems to be q disposition on
the part of the Reform leaders in some
of the counties to a%ggravate the pres
n unfortunate differences among
white Democrats, and to prevent q re-
union of the white people of the State
upon anything like equitable terms.
This is notably the case in Laurens
County, where Senator Irby controls
h local party machinery. He has said
the start that he did not desire
peace, and that he would resist to the
last any and all efforts to bring about
@ better understanding among the peo-
pie, AT a meeting of the executive
committee of Laurens County on Mon-
uuyrsthe following resolution was
adopteu.>
"Resolved, That in the election of
delegates to the Constitutional Conven-
ton, and In order to ignore fractional
politics, we recommend that all candi-
dates who will go before the people il
the Democratic primary pledged 70
submit to the will of the majority of
the white Democrats in Laurens
County, and in the primary that the
people vote for such candidates ire
spective OF past factienal differences.
provided that such candidates are
known to have been loyaland subservi-
emit to white supremacy and Demo-
cratic principles in the past"
In this resolution Mr.. Irby shows his
hand and we are glad that he has made
itso plain. The only division which the
Conservatives of Laurens County
should accept is an equal division
half and half if the number of dele
gates from that county is an even num-
Der, or one less than the Reformers
shall have in the Convention If the
number of delegates is an uneven
number. We hope that the Conserva-
tives of Laurens will insist upon an
equal division and accept nothing less.
The right way to ''ignore fractional
politics." in the Constitutional Conven-
ton is to make the factions IN that
Convention exactly equal, half and
half, eighty and eighty. This is the
Iillman-Barnwell plan, and we say
again that it is "the working plan"
Senator Tillman has proved his
Willingness to carry it out in good faith
by agreeing to an equal division of
delegates from his own county of
Edgefield. Governor Evans has proved
his Willingness to stand by the plan by
agreeing to an equal division from his
county of Aiken. 1t remains to be
seen whether or not Senator Irby shall
be permitted to permanently divide
the white people of the State by stand
ing out against the only basis upon
which they can meet in the Constitu-
~SNAal Convention. We are satisfied
thattbe Conservatives almost to a man
desire DSepeace and prosperity of the
State, thas% are tired of fighting,
that they wou1dSye to any honorable
compromise at this N1pe for the pur-
pose of keeping factional politics and
factional issues out of tho ConstitH-
tional Convention and out Of we Consti.
tuition; but we do not believe that any
OF them will give any aid or comfort
to Mr.. Irby's plan for perpetuating
strife in South Carolina, Unless Sena-
tor Tillman shall issue an address to
the Reformersc Of the State urging them
to stand by his agreement with the
Conservatives, there is danger that the
efforts which have bsen made will
prove of no avail. The Conservatives
desire q non-factional Convention, they
believe in white supremacy, they stand
for honest elections; let Senator Till
man and his aides bring the Reformers
into line. The time has come for de-
finite action.-News and Courier.