The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-02-20
Divide Them Equally.

TO ihe Editor Of The Greenviilc Ne1"s:
suppose ,he:e are but few people in tho
State who have given much thought to
public affairs who have not realized The
necessity OF new State Constitution, one
which is better adapted to the prescn.
Constitution and requirements OF our
people. But there has been, and is to-
day, wide difference of opinion as t"
when, and how, the desired changes
should be made. Many, whoss opinions
are worthy of respect, were opposed TO 4
Constitutional Convention being calle:i
at all; thinking it uonld be safer, sud
cheaper, to amend the present Consiitu-
tion by legislative enactment from time
to time. Others who favor the adoption
of a new Constitution out and out,
thought it dangerous to call q Convention
at this time, when the white people OF
the State were politically divided into
two hostile factions, with each faction
bitterly contendipg for the control of tho
State government and as the returns OF
tho late election show, there is still an
other, and larger class, who not only
favored Constitutional Convention but
were willing to bravo all dangers and call
it at once.
Thus far the question has been prac!i-
cally settled, and the Convention has
been ordered, but far more serious
question has not been settled, and that
il, how can the opposing political fac
tions in the State be brought into such
relations to each other as to harmonlZo
them, so that in good faith all may rise
to that high aud patriotic plane, absolute
ly necessary and prerequisite to the
framing of such Constitution, as our
ond nrOuroocivn pivi1izati0n
demands? It seems that all are agreed
that we should have a nom n-partiZan Con-
yention. All seem to realiz5 that tbs
white people of the State must stand
together in this matter, in order to main
tain white supremacy. Most of our peo-
ple can now see the disasters that will
surely befall rs, if we fail to unite
A number OF theories have been ad-
yanced and plans suggested for "peaco
and unity" in the Convention, but none
of them haYe met with anything like
general approval, simply, In my opinion,
because they do not furnish any guaran--
tee that they will be carried out in good
faith. In other words, there Is undis-
guised lack of confidence. Promises
merely do not count for much in politics.
] The idea of pro-rating representation ae-
| cordiug to voting strength of the respec-
tive factions does not reach the trouble,
| as it could in no wise obviate or prevent
partisan action by the Convention. If
| the body was simply legislative that
arrangement would be just, at least from
political standpoint, but Constitu-
tionaI Convention should lay down fun
| damental principles looking solely to the
most complete protection of the citizen in
his life and property and not to legisle-
| ton in the interest Of any class, calling or
political party. Such being true, there
can be no force in the argument for pro-
rating representation between the fac
tions according to mum bers. It is prin-
ciples and not party policy that We have
to deal with, and. therefore, believe the
only way to insure harmony among the
white Democrats of the State is for each
faction to have an equal number Of dele
gates in the Convention. Only on such
basis can prejudice be disarmed and real
united action for the best interest of the
State be had. If at heart real desire for
unity exists, no well grounded objection
can be raised TO such plan. A properly
framed Constitution in the very nature
| of things can not be partizan In its pro-
visions. It is intended for the whole
people, high and low, rich and poor, not
only those now living. but for generations
to come. When we come to look squarely
at the dangers that confront us, we must
| recognize that we are, all both Reformers
and Conservatives, wrapped up in COM
| mon destiny. With equal numbers in
the Convention, partisan action would be
impossible, brains would rise abovs
trickery, and questions would be decided
on merit. It is. not expected that dema-
| will agree 20 this proposition, but tho
| average patriotic citizen who sincerely
wants good government, rather than
office, or selfish gain, will see in it justice
| and safety. If the national party of high
tariff, high taxes, and centralized power
does control sffairs at Washington for the
next four years, it only furnishes tho
greater reason for O united and solid
| Democracy in South Carolina. Though
we may disagree at other times, and OF
minor matters, We cannot afford to stand
divided in this emergency. if We would
preserve pure Democracy and home rule
| in our own State.
But how can exactly equal Representa-
| tior be assured in the Convention? II
can only be done By com mmon consent.
The conference which has been called to
meet in Columbia on the 10th day of
March can recommend that those coun
ties that hal even numbers of represen-
tatives eject one-half Reformers and one
half Conservatives, G. and in those counties
that lave odd numbers, that they be
| equaliaed by counties. For instance.
Pickens and Oconee have three represen-
tatives each, in one of them two Refor.
mers and one Conservative may be
elected and in the other two Conserva-
tives and one Reformer. Again. if
county that has Conservative majority
is entitled to four delegates, and four
Conservative candidates shonld receive
the highest vote in the primary, let only
the two highest be declared elected, and
the two Reform candidates receiving the
highest vote be also declared elected, and
likewise in counties having Reform ma
jorities.
With such an understanding to be car
ried out in good faith, all may 60 into
the primaries with mutual confidence and
safety, and the result will be a united
white Democracy, without which, no
sort of Constitution will save the State
from misrule and degradation.
Very truly sincerely,
II