The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-02-15


from hearsay and prejudice, and not
80 well entitled to belief. The facts
before the country and the people OF
this State arc that the Democratic
party is confessedly dead and the Pop
ulist party impracticable. No think
ing man doubts that at the next elec-
tion the Republicans will sweep the
country and regain power for Il long
term Of years.
In the face of this situation an ef-
fort is now being made to destroy the
Republican and negro vote in South
Carolina. The only Justification sug-
| geSted In This course is the alleged
desire for white supremacy and fear of
| negro rule. The only argument
advanced for its support is the rehash
| of the sins Of the so-cailcd Radical "
| governments in this State from 1868 to
| 1876.
Wa ask the people Of this State to
consider sobcrly and honestly certain
facts which cannot be disputed.
Tho masses of the negroes of this
STATE have never shown the least de-
sire To persecuto their white neigh
bors. There was corruption in the
SO-Cailcd Radical governments, but it
was chiefly the work OF alien politi-
clans and the result of their bad leader
snip. 1T is Il Fact that the men now
prominent in the Republican party
passed through that time of temptu-
tion and dcbauchcry unstaincd. In
palliation of the sins of the negro we
may submit the testimony Of the white
Democrats regarding their own gov
ernments. Governor Tiliman has in
formed Us That the governments OF the
white Democrats to the year lSDO we ere
marked by corruption, bribery. pOiiti-
ca! lcprosy and lmbecility. On the
other hand very serious charges of
very much the same nature have been
brought against his government by
Democrats OF opposing factions. Tie
people az the State are agreed that the
taxes of the su-cailcd Radical" time
were not as bard TO pay aS these now
levied. We have Governor TiIlmahs
evidence that far more pounds Of cot
ton and meat and bushels Of corn are
needed now 20 pay taxes than ut any
period OF the " Radical government.
Nobody can claim that the people are
aS prosperous nov as they were then.
Notwithstanding these things the Re
publicans and the negroes Of the State
have for eighteen years submitted
quietly to the rule of the minority
with wonderful patience. with docility
and iaithfulneSs and hope which must
challenge the admiration and enlist
the sympathy Of the world.
They have yielded everything with
hardly murmur. They have seen all
the promises made them by the white
Democrats in 1876 broken and con.
temptuously ignored. They have been
bapishcd from 'ho jury bOXcH and the
ballot boxes and Disseminated against
consistently and remorselessiy. With
al inn
share Of the taxes. the masses OF them
faithfully, honestly and humbly striv-
ing To do their parts IN building up the
State and to make themselves better
citizens and Christians.
Now they are called on 10 meet Il
proposition boldly, publicly and un-
bIuShlngly announced, that IL couvcn-
tiOn be held for the. declared and OK
pressed purpose Of disfranchising
them forever and leaving them entire
" helpless at the mercy Of men who
have shown every disposition to in
wade their rights. to blast their hopes
and to crush all their modest aspiru
JIOns. Against this cruel, uupruvukcd
and unnecessary outrage we appeal to
the people OF the country of all parties
and especially to those OF South Caro-
lima.
Representing and speaking for the
Republican party. We socmnly de-
clare that we are not acting for the
restoration Of Republican rule in the
State, or for the destruction or iT-
pairmcnt of white supremacy. We
arc asking simply that Republicans
and negroes be spared the right to
exist as citizens and be not put at one
shove on the level with cOnVictS who
have forfeited all civil rights
It is not only for the Republicans
and the negroes but for all classes OF
white people and for all interests Of
the State tnat we appeal. Under the
Constitution of the United States no
law can be framed to disfranchisc the
negroes which will not disfrancnisr
thousands OF white men, except by
the adoption OF what is known us the
Mississippi plan" which leaves in
the hands Of three or five men in each
county appointed by the admiuistra-
tiOn absolute power in deciding the
right to vote. This has never been
passed on by the United States Courts
and is in all probability Illegal.
Whether it be so or not. every interest
OF every free man and the reason Of
| every thinking man must revolt
| against a system so contrary to every
| principle OF republican form OF GOV
| crnmcnt and SO inevitably leading to
| tyranny and corruption. Whatever
may be the design or tho prctcXt,
| such II systcm must bring the cXtcr-
mination Of all parties and factions
save the administration which may
| happen to be in power, leaving it nm
restrained by any fear Of the people
or sense OF responsibility to them.
We call on the Republicans OF the