The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-04-03
Wednesday, April 3, 1895.
The Peace Conference.

The Peace Conference.
The conference called by the
aForty" from which the people were
expecting something that would be
hailed with much Joy has come and
gone. Their work will be seen on
other pages. We cannot say that
their action will bring about the de-
sired result, for the reason that the
people, who are the final judges, have
not yet had time to show how they
will receive the recommendations of
the conference.
It was our privilege to be mem
ber of that body, and we have no
hesitancy in saying that every mem
Der of the conference was desirous
for q cessation of strife. Some
thought the best way to bring about
harmony, was for an equal division OF
delegates to the constitutional con-
vention; others were of the opinion
that it could not be accomplished in
that way as an equal division was an
impossibility. Those taking the lat
ter view of the situation held that to
ask for an equal division under exist
ing conditions would have a tendency
to irritate the majority and cause the
factional lines to be drawn the tighter.
We were among those who favored
asking for an equitable" division,
and although large majority of the
conference differed from US, we still
believe it would have been better to
have adopted a platform Of principles
and then pledge candidates to that
platform irrespective of former or
present fsctional adherance. 1t may
appear little presumpsuous in US for
not giving way tethe collected wis
dom of the majority, who had a like
pugpese il view, but we were sent to
The conference to represent the peo-
pie Of this county, and We tried to
voice their sentiments, not ours.
People should not now stickle over
mere details, but they should put
their shoulders to the wheel and
make our constitutional convention
as near non-factional as possible, for
We are citizens Of the same State,
and whatever constitution is made,
matters not by whom, we must all
live under and by it. As for US, we
have no fears that any set of white
men will control that convention who
will do ought to ipjure those Of their
own race and blood, and all this talk
about averting an appeal to the ne
gro by giving an equal division from
the two factions is out of place.
The majority of the white men in
this State will not be coerced in Civ
ing the minority representation, but
as matter of justice and ezpediency
they are willing to grant such a con-
cession, as Will give the minority
equitable representation. The ma
iority, if they see fit, can control full
delegations from at least thirty out Of
the thirty-fve counties, but they do
not show a disposition to take such
an advantage. They say to their
brethren, sjoin us in making this new
constitution The question then is,
how will the minority get into the
convention? That will be for the
people themselves to answer and to
settle. No man or set of men have
authority to barter away the franchise
of voters and unless we all 60 to
work to create sentiment for a di-
vision of delegates the matter of di-
vision viii not succeed.
We believe that the people should
select men to represent them in the
convention without inquiring into
their factional affiliations at all Let
merit and qualification be the stan
dard to guide US, and not faction. If
the conservative faction will be sat
isfed to trust in the wisdom OF the
people, the Reformers certainly
should. Personally, the writer is
willing for the delegates to be divid-
ed, and we believe that two Conserva-
tives and two Reformers can be found
who have the interests of the people
at heart. But what will the people
say who have this matter in their
hands? Are they willing to select
two from each faction pledged to cer-
tain principles? or do they think thst
the small minority of Conservatives
should only have representation &C.
cording to their strength?
We can see why the Reformers are
reluctant in conceding an equal di-
vision, even with pledges. 4, burnt
child is afraid of fire, and it cannot
be denied that solemn pledges were
broken in the past. But different
condition exists now. We have q
dark cloud gathering over our heads.
1t is not question of Office now, but
one more vital to US; the question is,
shall We wrangle, and bring about 8
condition of disaster? We believe
that there are men in the Conserva-
tive faction who were true to their
pledges and will stand true to any
pledge they may make. Then with
Conservatives of this class let Us join
and go to the convention to work for
the things the people need.
Senator Tllman and Governor
Evans saw the wisdom in making
concessions, and they expressed them
selves as being in favor of an equal
division. Was it because the Con-