The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-04-02

Evans conference be invited. III We
want unity, he said, let us have IL. Let
us exclude none, but include all. Mr.
Applet accepted the amendment and
the motion was adopted.
The convention then took recess
until 8 O'clock TO enable the committee
on platform and resolutions to report.
EVENING SESSION.
The committee ON platform and res
olutions at . o'clock reported. The
resolutions were read by Secretary
Thompson and were as follows:
} To the People OF South Carolina:
This conference OF Reformers and
Conservatives of the Democratic party
OF this State, met In response to the
call issued January 23d, 1895, by the
executive committee OF the Reformers
who put forth the address OF December
1894, notes with pleasure that leading
Representatives OF the two factions
have begun work to the ends espresso
in that cali and ADDRESS. We cordially
welcome others and invite tho co ope-
ration OF all who favor combination
OF the wisdom and patriotism of the
State, regardless of factions, in the
task of reconstructing our organic law.
In common, with all patriotic people oI
the State, we lament that the Demo
cratic party OF the State, so long united
by strife and its unity endangered
the bitterness of factional spirit. The
causes Which have led to these unhap-
py results need not now be considered
and should not now be discussed. In
view of the coming constitutional con-
vention, In order that the honor of the
State may be preserved and the welfare
of the people protected and promoted,
| 1t Is of vital importance that factional
Il no 0f al g.
the selection of delegates to the con-
vention. Thus and thus only can the
new Constitution become the bond and
seal of union among the people of South
| Carolina. Therefore, we recommend :
First-That in the election of dele
! gates to the constitutional convention
only men of prudence and patriotism
be chosen; and that they be divided
equally between the factions as here
tofore existing as far as practicable !;
when equal division Is impossible that
such fair division be made as will best
subserve the great purpose of securing
white unity and a non-partisan Consti-
| tuition.
| Second-That we are unalterably
and irrevocably pledged TO the su-
premacy of Anglo. Saxon civilization in
every part and department of our gov
ernment to be secured by fair and con-
stitutional methods. But this can only
be accomplished by the unity OF our
people.
Third-We have unbounded faith in
the people and confidently trust them
to select delegates to the constitutional
| convention to represent their opinions
| with an eye single to their fitness for
the great work thatwill confront them.
| With a convention SO chosen the people
will be satisfied with the Constitution
it will adopt.
| Fourth--To put the objects of the
conference into practical effect, and to
promote the accomplishment thereof,
we recommend the appointment of a
State executive committee to be COM
posed of two from each county, whose
| duty it shall be forthwith to prepare
and promulgate plan Of organizations
of all Demaerats in the State who are
in sy mpathy with the objects and pur-
poses herein declared.
| Respectfully submitted.
j. TONNES ROBERTSON.
The report was considered by sec
tions, and the preamble was adopted
unanimously. A motion to adopt the
first section was debated.
Mr.. Applet said: AS I understand
1t the object is to unite the people of
tho State. There is something in that
section that he was afraid will not
bring about the desired result. 1 be-
lieve that when we recommend an
equal division, the people will resent
It. Strike out equal and put in
fair" and equitable"
| Mr.. Murphy said we have met here
for the purpose OF attaining result
specifically expressed in the preamble
Of these resolutions. II the motion of
my friend from Manning prevails we
| 70 ffoin haf A
| few weeks ago certain gentlemen met
In this city and declared and said they
would advocate that the convention be
composed equally of representatives
from each faction in the State. We
| have Governor Evans and Senator
| Tillman as representatives of the Re-
form faction and we have on the floor
OF this convention men who are in
favor of an equal division of delegates
between the two factions. believe it
to be the best interests that factional
lines shall be obliterated. We have
Senator Irby expressing himself as un-
alterably opposed to an equal division.
We have Messrs. Tillman and Evans
| favoring it. He cOntrasted the Till
man plan and the scheme proposed by
the conferees and said that If we went
back to the people and offered them
less than the conference of two or
| three weeks ago, he felt confident that
the people would not support the ac-
tion of the convention. He was un-
alterably opposed to al appeal to the
negro. He believed the majority of
the people were opposed to it. Zap
plause.) But II we go back to the poo
pie without plan to please such peo-
Pile, l am afraid that the appeal will
be made. l trust that my friend will
not require the question to be put to q
vote. L trust that he will withdraw it,
Strikeout equal" and put in "equita-
BILE and il would compel large body
of citizens, both OF Reformers and
Conservatives, to withdraw from the
movement.
Mr.. Burn said we were now in a
crisis in the State. He gave hearty
appreciation to the resolutions and
said they filled the wants of the peo-
ple. His remarks were from the
heart and were given to the convention
with considerable eloquence.
Hon. John l.. McLaurn said: "If
there Is ever time for mon to speak
out now is the time. AS member of
the Reform party and amember Of this
peace and harmony convention he
would rather give more than fall be-
fore the line. This is no time for dis
pute over the number of delegates to
be allowed each faction In the counties.
AS far as I myself am concerned. 1