The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-16

Kennedy,s Colonel Rion and others
thought Gen. Hampton was too ultra
Democrat and had been too consplcu-
Gus soldier in the war, that Cover
nor Tilden desired q more moderate
man. Colonel Caigle of Washington,
was there as
THE AMBASSADOR OF TILDEN.
"He was there for more moderate
man than Hampton. In discussion
with him, I had occasion to say to
him that we all were for Tilden and
Hendricks. but we denied their right
and questioned the taste of their at
tempting to dictate who should be our
candidate for governor; that we be-
| lieyed in the doctrine of self govern
ment and intended to exercise it; that
General Hampton had been elected
governor 1when not a candidate
against Governor Orr; that Orr had
been declared elected, but Hampton
had been elected; Governor Orr told
me this fact himself; and that such
popularity as that I intended to try
and avail ourselves of in the coming
race. General Hampton was morti-
fed at the opposition and spoke to But
Ter and myself of Withdrawing from
the race. Pelton was teIegraphed to
in order to reach Mr.. Tilden's views,
and he telegraphed that Gen. John d.
Kennedy was in possession OF them.
Butler and those acting with him de-
termined to place the'name of Hamp-
ton before the convention, and he was
unanimously nominated. Edgefeld
declined to run for any nomination on
the State ticket. 1t was generally un.
derstood that the State Offices would
be equally divided between the fusion
and Straightout members. 1t was so
done. Butler moved to reorganize the
executive committee, to reduce the
number to seven, and to have them
appointed by the president OF the con-
vention and nominees for. the State
Offices. It resulted in putting on five
of the seven fusionists-the Straight
outs were outwitted. The whole
thing was intended to eliminate the
fusionists from the executive commit
tee:
"Governor Hampton began the
campaign at Anderson on the 2nd of
September, but during his entire cam
paign he did not encounter Chamber
lain or any of his political associates.
He had walk overthe track. Cham
berlain had been whipped out here on
the 18th of August, and never could
rally after his defeat at Newberry,
Abbeville and Midway. When the
election was over and went to Co
lumbia on Saturday to the State
executive committee rooms. l was
was received with q perfect ovation OF
thanks for what Edgefield had done,
Governor Hampton said that but for
our tremendous majority the action OF
the rest of the State would not have
availed anything; that Edgefeld had
saved the State. 1 modestly replied
that we had done our level best; that
we had great many obstaclesto over
come, amongst them seven companies
of United States troops were quartered
all over the county and that the bay
onet guarded the ballot box in viola
ton of the laws of congress and the
Constitution at almost every precinct.
"It was well known amongst the
members of the general assembly, and
especially by the Democratic State
senators that have always fav ored
a nomination of Hampton for COVER
nor; that he was to the State a politi-
cal necessity. Although I honestly dif-
fered with him as to the policy OF the
2 mill constitutional tax for education,
on the bond question, the university
bill, the usury bill and other bills
touching tho policy of the State, now
say to him that Edgefeld accepts what
he has so well said, we can honestly
differ and still be friends Such, sir,
is the reciprocal sentiment of the entire
Democracy of Edgefeld.
"And in conclusion, / would state
that Edgefeld in the future will imi-
tate the example of Cortez when ne
landed in Mexico, when he burnt his
ship after him. We, in the language
of the State platform turn from the
settled and final past to the great liv-
ing and momentous issues of the pres
ent and the future We did our part
in the election of Hampton in 1876,
and by a strong and united effort we
intend to elect him and the entire
State ticket in 1878"
C.,,,.. 90 Co+ton