The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-08-14
THE PLATFORM.
AN ADDRESS TO TEE DEMO
Gratis OF SUMTER.
All Good Citizens Can Stand on
This Platform.

This Platform.
The following address was pre-.
pared yesterday afternoon by the
nominees for the Constitutional Con.
vent;on aud to day has been spread
broad cast over the county. There
can be no doubt where these men
stand, for they have placed them
selves on record
70 the Democracy Of Sumter County
The undersigned. having been
nominated for the position of Dele
gates to the Constitutional Conven-
ton upon joint ticket composed
equally of Conservatives and Reform
ers, desire briefly to state the under
lying principles which we advocate
IN our candidacy
The County Democratic Executive
Committee has made no order for
Campaign Meetings. Should said
Committee make such appointments
we expect to be present and address
the people Meantime we must con-
tent ourselves with this statement of
our views upon the questions of the
day.
First. We renew our declarations
of fealty to the Democratic Party
We have always been. members OF
that party, and can belong to no
other It's history and principles
have been a record of loyalty to the
rights of the people, and jealous
regard to the interests of the masses
against the encroachments of the
classes. We believe that all evils Of
legislation, existing or threatening,
can best be rernedied within the ranks
Of that party.
second. We advocate fairness and
honesty in all elections. The moral
tone Of the youth of the country and
of coming generations, must not be
polluted by a record of dishonesty and
corruption in elections The right to
vote is the right preservative of all
other rights Confidence in the pur-
ity of the ballot box should be main
tanned at all hazards The voice of
the majority. fairly and legally ex-
pressed, and honestly ascertained. is
the, key stone of free and popular
government
Third. We demand the maintain
ance of white supremacy as adording
the only guarantee Of wise and
stable government for ourselves and
our posterity While we do not ad-
yocate a policy of injustice to the
black man. yet we are nevertheless
firm in the conviction that the rule OF
the white race must necessarily
rebound to the best and permanent
advantage Of all classes of our c'tl.
zens. We fee! confident that the
convention can and will adopt plan
in reference to the suffrage, consist
ent with honest elections. white su-
premacy, justice to the colored race
and not in conflict with the Constitu-
sion of the United States.
Fourth. We cordially favor the
maintenance Of the homestead law.
This benevolent legislation for the
protection Of the unfortunate debtor
exists in almost all enlightened
governments The preservation OF
the family home preserves the lnteg-
rity and solidity Of the family itself; !;
and family government is the corner
stone of all human government. Nor
is there any injustice to the creditor
class in homestead law honestly ad-
ministered, because all dealings be-
tween man aud man are with full
notice of the right of the homestead
exemption, and no deception is prac-
ticed upon any one
Fifth. We pledge ourselves to the
maintenance of system of free pub
lie schools for the education Of the
l.