The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-16
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONvEN-
TON.

when men of independent minds had
ceased to exert influence because most
Of our people desired to hear from
those only who would cater to their
whims and prejudices, / had determ-
ined to keep my mouth shut, and let
things rock along for The present at |
least, Many letters have been written
me from outside, and Numerous in
quiries from within nave been ad-
dressed to me asking my views upon
the situation and what I thought best
to be dene in the constitutional con-
vention matter. The quickest way OF
reaching them, I find myself in print.
That the convention will be called is
foregone conclusion. This body Is
to frame a constitution which will
probably last, for an hundred years,
and will have specific bearing for veal
or woe upon every man, woman and
child in tho State It will not be de-
MED then that its action should be
wise, and considerate of each separate
interest throughout our borders, and
that all shades of opinion should be
represented in lis coucils. How shall
this representation be secured? l. am
free to confess that with this conyen-
ton in the hands Of the conservatives
and nothing is easier than the capture
of it by them-inhuenced by the high
partisan party feeling now existing,
and smartins under injuries supposed
or real, laws might result which would
not meet the views of the leople npen
that second sober thought which will
inevitably insue ere long. I will be
equally frank and say with majority
of Tillmanitcs the same result would
follow and the effect would be equally
disastrous 10 US all. To guard against
tJA4iss JA4i I see but one plan aRfi is, so Til
NANTES and 80 Ants. With this body
80 constituted there would be such
mental attrition and exchange of views
as would necessarily insure conserva-
tive action generally, and special re-
gard for the rights and interest Of all.
Besides it leaves out that much dread
ed and over-ratcd issue of appealing
to the negro vote, for he has said in
his convention recently and I believe
truthfullv, that he is will ing to submit
to the arbitrament of white men who
will not discriminate injariously against
him. There seems to be disposition
upon the part of many Of the big Ikes
to give us equal representation pto-
yided we promise like good boys to do
their bidding. l have this TO say, no
man can get my vote who goes there
to carry out compact with Tlllman
Or any other one man or ring Who |
ever goes there on any such agreement,
in my opinion, compromises his man
hood and lowers the standard of states
erected by those who have
US i'll such bodies hereto
fore. It is an insult even 10 ask him
to pledge himself to white supremacy,
sor none know better than those ex-
acting the pledge, the magnitude of
he lie they utter when they assert or
even intimate, that the Straightouts
lesire or intend it, for every sensible
nan knows full we'll that the cry was
'aised by those in Office to keep our
,sople distracted and themselves in
position. But how are these delegates
o be chosen? Certainly not at prim-
ny? When we see managers defying
he laws Of the land, and with their
lands on the Bible deliberately periure
heir souls and then boast and laugh
t it as good joke, for one l say, the
ever elections we have the better for
he country. 1t could be easily az
anged in convention by the Straight
uts, and by primary for the Till
aanites, if they prefer.
But of one thing let us be sure, send
o milk sops, nor men deficient in
ackbons A word or two about
ualified voting. When consult SEN
ment [ prefer universal suffrage,
specially as it includes many old
omrades who shed blood il defence
principles and common rights there
y losing the opportunity for educa-
on; bug am not averss to restrict
I ballot if the people desire it, having
cen told the truths, and made to
Understand the real situation But l
,a'l certainly not, whilst the pre>ent
.ws red,ain, aud l am q citizen of the
nited States having sworn like Till.
an and all other men who have held
Hce since the war, to protect and de- =
md the constitution of the United =.
,ates even as above the laws aud con- 8
tuition of our State, be guilty Of the 3
llainy Of announcing this one law s
n be made for the white man, ;tnd 8
lother FOR the negro. 1t is true that g
: Tilllnan's private scheme he touched M
,on at Ridgeway, b ,ard can be 9
divided which would shut utnegrots 8
no were net on their side, but even z
is as We saw to our sorrow at the .
st election affected whites and blacks 3
Ike. l was denied vote myself 9
ith many white men although I had 3
implied with the law because | Was 8
It on their side. A burnt child dire .l> 8
e fire and I do not propose to SIZE Z
is plan brought into genera! Use. =
mother plan on the property idea 3
ght help the white man II the ex- &
nsc Of the negro A man might be 6
ven vote for his head and another Z
T. every 500 Of property he owred. g
lis would affect whites and blacks s
ke, however, and would give the S