The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-05-29
STAND ON HAMPrON'S PLAT.
FORM.

About two weeks ago. when in Co.
lumbia one day, we met one of the
men who led the fight for good govern
meDt 10 1876 In reviewing the stu
alton then and DOW, aud contrasting
one with the other, be referred to the
platform of principles on which the
fight was made and Won in 1876 by
Gen. Hampton. His quotations from
that platform and the comments made
concerning our political difficulties,
made an impression that grew deeper
the more We thought Of the matter.
Several days after returning home we
went to the files of the True Soathron
and looked up the platform OF 10.
After reading it, we determined to pub
lish i. as our platform of '95. This
ne did 10 these columns and siuce then
the platform has been copied in num-
Der Of papers aud has been received
with much more enthusiasm than we
anticipated
The principles set forth in the plat
form are as worthy Of respect and sup
port to-day as when first euuuciattd in
1875. When we read and consider
this platform, We do not wonder that
Hampton swept the State from the
mountains to the sea aud made the
gapg of men who we're despoiling the
Stale and robbing her people fee her
borders. It was. platform to fight for
and win on then. and We have as great
need pow for such another uprising Of
the peop'e, dema anding honesty aud JUS
tice in all branches of our State govern
meut, as existed in 1876.
Hampton has expressed himself on
the situation, and he speaks wisely. His
honesty and patriotism have never been
questioned by any one, not even the
ring politicians. who have made every
attempt to drown his voice in this State.
We must 60 into no coalition where
our hapds will be tied and we shall be
made parties to fraud, rascall'y aud ln
Justice that will 10 time sfllct us most
onerously Neither must we appeal to
the negro, asking him to help US TO
drive from power the Reformers. This
would be coalition that would be pro-
duc,ive of evils worse than those Incl
dent to a Reform administration.
Let US stand squarely upon the prln-
ciples of the platform of 1875, and say
to the Irby element, Hands of. we
will have none Of your primary schemes
which are devised TO dsfraud and de.
ceive us. We demand a free. open
and fair election, in which all men who
desire an honest, fair aud just gov
ernment may cast their ballots" !" Thep
We can abide the result with clear con-
sciences.
Let it be understood now and here
after that the men who have ruled the
State by all manner Of devices since
1890 are responsible for the condition
in which the State now is. By fraud
in elections, by primary schemes that
defeated the true will Of the people. by
oppression, by legislative enactment,
by engendering strife among the people
and by filing the Offices with clique
of politicians, held together by blood
relationship aud the cohesive power of
spoils. the leaders of the dominant ele-
Reformers they style themselves
are wholly responsible for our pres
ent political condition This is koown
of all men, and they cannot escape the
responsibility. 1t is uualterabiy fasten-
ed upon them and now that the time
has arrived, when we should appeal to
the whole people for verdict against
these men, we should make the appeal
boldly aud plainly. The responsibility
is fixed, let the issue be made.
THE PRESS.