The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-04-03
THE FORTY FORMULATE.
Practical Presentation Of Peace, Unity
and Harmony.

COLUMBIA, S. c., March 27.-"The
Forty conference has been held, and
it was even a greater success than
those who called it hoped for. There
| were about eighty-fve delegates pres
ent, representing almost every County
in the State. Peace and harmony
| characterized all the deliberations, and
great good is expected to result from
their work.
T. j. Kirkland read the call Of the
| convention and explained its objects.
Lieutenant Governor Zimmerman was
then unanimously elected chairman,
being nominated by W. L. Mauldin.
He made patriotic and touching ad-
dress upon the great work before the
| conference.
D. MacL. Berrell, of Charleston,
and n. L. Thompson, of Darlington,
we're elected secretaries.
A committee on platform and reso-
lutions of two from each Congressional
district was appointed. The conven-
ton confirmed the invitation extended
by the executive committee to various
gentlemen to sit with the convention.
Adjournment for supper was then
taken.
Upon reassembling the report was
read, and after number Of patriotic
and earnest speeches, the report, with
minor amendments, was adopted as
follows:
To the People of South Carolina
This conference of Reformers and
Conservatives of the Democratic par
ty Of this State, met in response to the
call issued Jan. %, 1895, By the ex-
ecutive committee of the Reformers
who put forth the address Of Deem
ber 18th, notes with pleasure that
leading representatives of the two fac
tions have begun work to the ends ex-
pressed in that call and address.
We cordially welcome Others and
invite the cooperation of all who ia
vor combination Of the wisdom and
patriotism of the State, regardless Of
faction, in the labor Of the reconstruc-
tion of our organic law. In common
with all patriotic people of the State,
we lament that the Democratic party
of the State, so long united and in
vincible, has been torn asaunder by
strife and its unity endangered by the
bitterness of factional spirit. The
causes which have led to the unhappy
raaults need not be considered and
should not now be discussed. In view
of the coming convention, in order
that the honor of the State may be
preserved and the welfare OF the peo-
pie protected and promoted, it is Of
vital Importance that factional lines
be ignored, if not obliterated, in the
selection Of delegates to the conyen-5
tion. Thus, and thus only, can the
new Constitution become the bond
and seal of union among the people OF
South Carolina.
Therefore, we recommend that in
the election Of delegates to the'C Con-
stitutional Convention only men OF
prudence and patriotism be chosen,
and that they be divided equally be-
tween the factions as now existing, as
far as practicable. When equal di-
vision is impossible, that such fair
division be made as will best subserye~
the great purpose Of securing white
unity and non-partisan Constitution:
End. That we are unalterably and
irrevocably pledged to the supremacy
of Anglo Saxon civilization in every
part and department OF our govern
ment, to be secured by fair and con-
stitutional methods. But this can
only be accomplished by the unity Of
our people.
3rd. We have unbounded faith in
the people, and confidently trust them
to select delegates to the Constitu-
tional Convention to represent their
opinions, with an eye single to their
fitness for the great work that will
confront them. With Convention
so chosen, the people will be satisfied
with the Constitution it will adopt.
4th. To put the objects Of the con-
ference into practical effect, and to
promote the accomplishment thereof,
we recommend the appointment of
State executive committee, to be COM
posed of two from each county, whose
duty it shall be forthwith to prepare
and promulgate plan of Organization
Of all the Democrats in the State who
are in sympathy with the objects and
purposes herein declared.
Respectfully submitted,
J. TowNEs ROBERTSON.
Delegate Appel opposed the recon-
mendation for an equal division in the
Constitutional Convention, but after
speeches from George tombstone, Muir
ply and Burn, his amendment to SUBJ
stitute Equitable for "equal was
overwhelmingly defeated.
The debate Of the night was caused
by the objection Of Rev. j. A. Sigh,
Of Newberry, to the appointment Of
campaign committee Mr.. Sligh ex-
planned that he was member of the
State Democratic Executive Commit
tee, Qrby committee } and feared that
| to appoint another would be the for
nation of new party antagonistic to
| the regular democracy. He went 80
far as to intimate that he would leave
the conference rather than be q party
to such action. Senator Finley re-
sented the insinuation that any attack
on the democracy was contemplated,
and after speeches from Col. Murphy,
Thomas, Of Charleston, and others,
the burden of which was undying de-
votion to the organized democracy,
Mr.. Sligh ceased to kick, declaring
that he understood that the committee
was simply to cooperate with the
State Executive Committee.
Altogether it was sweetly peace
full body, and a tremendous success
| from that point of view.
The Tillman- -Hemphill compromise
programme was in effect adopted, but
whether Tillman and Evans will con-
sent for the "forty' to assume the
work and gain the credit Of carrying
it out is another question.
The conspicuousness Of Congress.
man McLaurin in the forty will
tend to array those gentlemen against
it, but the "forty' leaders insist that
the compromise has been so closely
followed by the conference that they
will be stopped from opposition. If