The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-03-27
Peace and Unity Convention.

| EcSpoHse W tue EOIly, "e'o "A>'>
the large crowd to town. Soon IN tht
morning buggies began arriving from al
sections of the county, and before noon
crowd had gathered that remlned US OF
davs gone by. Men gathered about IN
small groups on the court house square
and in front of stores, and go where you
would. the all-important topic was, Let
get together to fight the opposition" Now
and then there would be a man who was
suspicious of the convention about to as
sembl He was afraid the Reformers
were going to fall into trap set by the
Conservatives, and that what had been &C
cornplished by the Reformers would be
torn up root and branch. Then you would
find man who would think tho whole
| thing trick to deceive the Conservatives
in order to tie them hand and foot so they
could not make fight for the constitution
al convention. Again another would with
wise wrinkling of his forehead point out
the fears Of the Reformers and show his
hearers that the .'Tillmanites" were getting
scared and the offer of dividing delegates
was because they did not have men enough
with the ability to make constitution aud
they want assistance; that not only this,
they were not so certain of their strength
and they were afraid that if the Conserva-
tives made straight fight the Tillmanites
| would go to the wall Of course all such
talk was poppy cock, as every man with u
thimbleful of sense knows the Reformers
are largely in the majority and can carry
anything they set their hearts upon. Men
! who came here for business and not idle
curiosity came with the intention to lend
their aid in bringing about kindlier feel
ing between all white men, hoping that in
the communion with each other good would
finally result.
At twelve o'clock the announcement was
made from the court house calling the con-
vention. and it was not long before the
court room was well filed Gentlemen
from every section of the county were pres
ent; in fact the earneStness of the assembly
was shown by the presence of men who arc
not in the habit of attending public meet
ings, but gave their presence to aid in ac-
complishing the desired result.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.
Louis Appel, who stated that as there be-
ing no one authorized to preside over the
meeting, and as he had taken an active
part in bringing about the convention, he
took the liberty in calling them to order,
bled might be stated. He then asked them
to select temporary chairman. Mr. c. Il.
Fielder was given this honor, and Mr.. P.
". Webber the secretaryship. At the re-
quest of the meeting MIR. Appelt was asked
to state the object of the meeting. which he
did, and then read the call of the executive
committee appointed by the Forty" and
then also read the county cali signed by
himself and thirty-fve others. After this
the temporary organization was made per-
manent. The question first to be settled
WAS whether or not to send delgates to the
conference. Mr.. GaIluchat moved that
four delegates, two from each faction, be
sent. This brought on discussion. Mr..
Applet contended that before the number
be selected it was proper to ascertain
whether it was the desire to send any
After determining to send delegates the
question of dividing them could come up.
Captain Davis was called on for his views
and he stated that while he was one of the
original signers Of the Forty" call, he
could not see what could be accomplished
BY sending delegates to Columbia, mas
much as the whole thing was advisory and
not binding upon anyone; and as the mat
ter would have 10 be finally settled by the
counties. he was in favor of reaching o se.-
tlement then, :or that reason be was op-
posed to sending delegates.
Maj. q. B Richardson, in response to a
call for him said that be came to the meet
ing for the purpose Of listening and not
talking; that it was his sincere wish to see
our peofse working together. and that he
vss anSous to lend his efforts to that end.
He thought good conld result from the con-
ferenc in Colam bia, and that while there
was rothing binding, yet something might
be accomplished by which all the white
mer in the State could work harmoniously.
Hetherefore hoped that q delegation would
besent
Captain D. j. Bradham followed Maj.
richardson, and after stating that when ke
inferred the meeting he was inclined to
think that there was no necessity to send
q delegation to Columbia, but after hearing
the remarks of Maj. Richardson he became
impressed with them and changed his
mind. He thought it would be for the
best that delegates be sent. He then spoke
of what the Forty" had accomplished;
that they had started movement which
had gathered momentum as it went and
that it had gone on beyond their expecta-
tons. he then spoke Of the division of
delegates to the constitutional convention; /;
that be was in favor of ar equitable divis-
ion, factional differences should not be
brought in; that be wanted the white men
to get together without sacrifice OF prin-
ciple. He said he was ready and willing
to make fair terms with white men, bu,
that he would not allow himself to be
threatened; that when white men came to
him to say "if you do not give US what we
ask we will appeal to the negro" he would
tell them to 60, he w'.uld have none Of it,
and that he was in for white mans supre-
macy and would have it at whatever cost
He made an eloquent and patriotic appeal
for the white men to stand together for the
sake Of this and future gen;rationS At the
conclusion OF his remarks the hall rang
with applause.
At this iuncture AIr. L. L. Logan moved
that committee of three be appointed to
90 out and invite Col. Fl. l.. Benbow into
the hall. MIR Logan stated that Col. Ben
bow was in town and that he and others
would like to hear from HIM. This motion
was opposed by Mr.. Applet, who stated
that whils he would be delighted to see
Col. Benbow in the hall aud to hear from
him, he was opposed TO send special cou-
nIttre out for him, for the reasoa that L
public Gail had been made through the
newspapers, and if the Colonel desired to
participate, be was at liberty to do so; that
his not attending the meeting Was to be
taken that it was not his desire to he pres.
ent, and for the further reason it would be
showing an uncalled-for discrimination
which he was satisfied would not be de-
sired from Col. Benbow; that to make such
q discrimination would only'l lead to others
wanting committees sent out for their
friends, and the meeting would spend Its
time waiting for committees to report.
Mr.. Galluchat eloquently combatted the
views of the speaker that proceeded him,
and urged the convention to send the com.
mittee From the t-nor of his remarks the
impression he endeavored to create was,
that Mr. Applet, because Of being Of diff
E. g., tN haar frny