The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-02-08
LET US HAVE PEACE!
A PATRIOTIC APPEAL FROM A
YOUNG MAN

\ IOSctncr-Ine New COnStit ut 10
Should Make Sure OF White Suprt
macy and Protect the Negroes froI
Injustice and Oppression.
10 the Editor of The News and Co,
rier:
Brothers., embittered and estrangeG
with high Indignation that scorns re
cOnciliation, meet at the sick bed G
their mother, mingle their tears an
prayers, and are friends forever more
No explanation, no adjustment of pas
differences only a solemn recognition
in the private sanctuary OF each soul
or the nothingness of petty prid
/ and resentment when compared will
the immutable bonds fixed by Natur,
the awful responsibilities of living
In voting for the Constitutional Con
vention | cherished the hope that tn,
solemn duty of Constitution -makins
would prove the means of reunitins
our distracted people, as foreign wa
calls all Frenchmen to but one low,
and but one duty. Are South Carroll
mans less loyal? Blood is thicke
than water, and though, in this com
mcrical age, ellow-citizcnship ha:
ceased to mean blood-relationship an(
the sentiment Of patriotism is growing
}
national" character and spirit thar
South Carolinians, for none have t.;
more pronounced agreement of mind:
and OF interest, which is the condition
that is the efficient cause and ratiora
basis of harmony and patriotism
| Hence South Carolina has always
stood as a unit, guarding zcaiously hel
interest against the rest OF the world
Though of late her citizens have
been arrayed in two hostile factions
| yet while their passions were intlamcC
and their understandings convinced rs
they cannot be again inilamed ant
convinced against each other, all at
tempts to bring them TO open party di
vision have nevertheless failed. The
verdict is unmistakeahlc. IL their all
gricst moments the great body Of oul
people have clung to the scmblance o
unity. They would not cross the Ru
bicon. And why should they? Gould
highest welfare of our State who
would follow another path? If we &C
different ways we are tagging in the
race. All our honest differences arc
due to want of Information and to CT.
rors of judgment. AS rational men
our one duty is search diligently, tC
reason together, and thus finding,
shoulder to shoulder pursue the true
path to the welfare of us all.
With Indignation exhausted and
passions now cooled, with understand
ings sobercd and disposed to grapple
nationally with the causes of the dis
tressing conditions that are now upon
us, with a wider range Of view now
than when, tive-milc posts below in our
ascent Of this century. We formulate
ed opinions and went to battle upon
them, there is among growing con-
sciousness OF the grOundlessness OF
continued formal division, and a yearn-
ing for unity. To this desired result
the near approach of the CONSTITUTIONS
al Convention has contributed no little
and the renewed fraterniZing of ouI
people should find its consummation
on the election of delegates to tina,
Convention and in the conduct Of these
on its floor where many a courtesy can
be shown by chivalric gentlemen.
How shall these delegates be select.
ed is the absorbing problem. Patri
otic promoters of unity have suggested
plan, but the task is more delicate
the juncture in our affairs is more
critical than seems to be fully apprc
ciated. There is a method which will
leave nature to take its course, where
upon the wound will heal on first in
tcntiOns, and there is q method which
might mistakenly interfere with ma
lures work, keep the wound Il running
sore and possibly make of it lasting
scar. A blundcr here would be q
crime. BE sure we are right, and
then go ahead.
The plan of prorating delegates be-
tween the Conservatives and the Re
formers was naturally the first to be
thought OF, and, therefore, is but &
step towards the discovery Of one less
crude. Such discussion and approva
as it has received have done muci. t.
cultivate and further disseminate that
spirit of unity which has been slowly
growing among us. But let us not be
guile ourselves into believing that ;
county should select it's delegates ~
| Conservatives and Rcformcrs. lie
| not this Convention 90 down in history
as one in which delegates acted a.
rillmanitcs and Anti-Tillmanitcs. lie
us not push an artificial and persona
division to. q result SO bclittling to tn,
| State. Let there not be parties. ant
consequent caucuscs and drovG-lik,
voting Let each member be free t,
speak to the reason and conscience O
the others with expectation Of winning
with no recognized impossible gul
between no lurking prevailing sus
picion that every proposition is Tro
jan horse. If the Constitution be tn
product OF such IL Convention it vii
be an enduring monument OF shame T.
our State. Let men stand not on past
but on living issues, not on personal o
factiOnal, but on rational agreement
with one agreed promise on which al
appeals may be based supreme loyal
ty to South Carolina. Thus only ca
the Convention Oc Il dclibcrativc bod
{ or afford to succeeding generations a
honorable and digniiicd example of pa
triOtism, as a Convention iE whic
men met rs South CarOlinians, know
ing in their cOunscls no party atiilia
tion, but the tie of South Carolinians
Not only is the presence in the Cor
vention Of Conservatives to rCprcsen
their faction and OF Rcformcrs to re
present their faction essentially wron
as well as calculated to keep our pee
pie in opposing camps, but to elect de
cgates on such Il basis Of mathcmatica
division is to count for naught tn
personal preferences Of the individua
voter and the views Of the intcndc
delegate on the vital questions tina
may or should come before the Cor
vcntion. Let us not forctcll the wi