The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-04-17
DEpEW PROPIIESIES.

New York Tribune, April l2.
Chauncey NJ. Depew Is much interested IN
ballot reform in the South. When seen ne
had just finished reading an editorial in the
Tribune In relation TO the election systems o
the cotton States. Mr. Depew recently made
n trip through the South. He said: "l
heartily agree with the Tribune In saying
that lhe best business investment mat coulo
be made by the Southern States would be q
radical reform in election methods and q
restoration of free suffrage and an honest
ballot That is what the South needs to-day
more than anything else. Those States III
which the ballot system Is abused stand iso
lated, and are viewed with mistrust by men
who otherwise would move in and settle
These men would bring with them money
energy, Intelligence and Drawn, all OF which
these States stand in need Of badly. But sc
long as existing conditions prevail they Will
"Let me take South Carolina as an illustra
tion. In the ante-bellum days this State was
aristocrats generally. After the war the con
troll OF the State fell into the hands of clique
Of men Of whom Wade HAMPTON and NJ. e.
Butler are fair examples. These men sue
ceeded to power after the days of the carpet
baggers, and took upon themselves the man
agement Of the State. They found the negro
vote was largely in acesS OF the vote oil the
intellectual element, and, as result, they
shut out the negro. This was said TO be ne
cessary because the negro was ignorant
vicious and unable intelligently to realize
the duties of voter Their system succeed
ed very well, and for the time South Carolina
was in the solid ranks Of the Democracy.
"All went we'll until the rising star of TIL
man shot athwart the political horizon. Till
man organized the farmer and the corner
grocerynan. He set up Social Democratic
machine. His following grew strong enough
to assert itself, and he began to lay plans tc
dominate the State. In order TO do this he
had Irby elected TO the Senate. He changed
the whole complexion OF the State Legisla
lure and filled every office with his men. Ee
had himself elected Governor and then began
TO experiment with his paternal schemes, ol
which the most startling was the dispensary
law. His last act OF aggression was turning
NJ. C. Butler out of the Senate and having
himself chosen 10 the place. He now has en-
tire control of the State and the old arisio.
cratic regime has passed away. Wade Hainp.
ton and NJ. e. Butler, shorn OF their power,
are casting around for some means OF relief
"TilIman having attained his end. now de.
sires to perpetuate his power. With thls
idea in View he has brought up this idea OF a
Constitutional convention. The convention
will be controlled by his followers and his
wishes will be followed to the letter. The
convention will carry out the idea OF
com mpetely diSfranchising the blacks. The
same plan that is followed in Mississippi Will
be carried out there, and the.result will be that
capitalists, manufacturers and investors Will
be frightened away from the State. see that
negro teachers and ministers through the
South are asking for contributions 10 fund
10 be used in carrying the case TO the United
States Supreme Court, where the actions OF
Tillman and his followers will be antagon.
lied.
Now, what is to be the outcome of all
this? With Wade Hampton and NJ. {. But.
ler and the taristocratlc element that they
represent deposed, with the negro disfran-
chised and with TIllman securely seated in
power what method will be taken 10 secure
justiceo There is only one place and that Is
the National convention. What is more nat.
ural than that Wade Hampton, NJ. c. But.
ler. the Charleston Courier.Journal and other
leaders of this class in South Carolina, should
come knock ing at the door Of the next Re
publican National Convention? ! predict
IL! The only way to secure relief is through
the Republican party. The Solid South is
being broken up and Mr.. Tillman will be
disposed OF upon this line OF reconstruction