The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-01-18
THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGES.
Tho Duty of the Hour of the White
People of South CnrOlina.


People of South Carolina.
To the Eiitor of The News ant
Courier: The circular letter of Il com
mlttce OF Republicans calling for {
Convention Of that party, with the
view of meeting the issues of the Con
stltutional Convention, suggests to IN,
mind tho duty OF the hour on the pari
of the white people of South Carolina
| 1t Is not my purpose to review the
State politics foi the past four event.
tul years. What is known as the Re-
form Movement has developed princi.
plies and policies Of government and
phases of sentiment that have not com.
mendcd themselves to my judgment.
But l have been far from considering il
al unmixed evil. | have seen in it germs
which, rightly cultivated, would pro-
mote the good OF the Commonwealth.
When the sober second thoush ht of the
whole white people OF the State shall
assert itself, as firmly believe it will,
| cannot but believe that the resultant
OF the recent opposed forces will be
the good OF South Carolina. But let
ting the dead past bury its dead, what is
tho duty of the present and the sug-
gcstiOn Of the future? We must eX-
tract from the legislation OF the four
years past all that ia valuable and pro-
mote for the advantage OF the State all
pending measures.
he great impending open measure
is The call for Constitutional Conven-
tion. Although admitting that tho
time for such Convention is in some
respect inopportune, yet havd favored
the call for weighty reasons. This is
the impericus necessity that devolves
upon us to put at once upon granite
base the question of white supremacy
in South Carolina. There should be
provision for such supremacy in the
fundamental law of the State. | am
for meeting this issue boldly before
tie whole country. Let it he under
stood that it is the purpose of the
white race in this tate-conformably
to the Constitution Of the United
States, which it is our duty and our
necessity to hold inviolate-to fix
white supremacy in our organic law.
How this Ia TO be done is for the
Convention, after grave deliberation
and wise consultation, to devise. 1t is
not for me or for any one citizen to an
tSig tiGigatHsi aHi II the solution of so great
But one thing is certain. IL there
was ever time for the union of the
white people of the State now is the
time. Let us meet this proposed Re-
publican organization by such a coun-
ter organization as will make rcunit-
ed Democracy Irresistible and relegatc
forever to the rear the eXponents of Il
party that would rear again its mis-
created front" in our fair State and
endangcr our highest civilization.
No greater work can address itself
to the wisdom Of statesmen than the
framing of u Constitution for u fr. G
State. Hence it goes without saying
that the approaching constitutional
Convention calls for the purest, ablest
and wisest men that a united Democ-
racy can offer. Let the selection be
made regardless OF faction, and with
the acknowledgement Of the principle
that minoritics have rights which
should be conceded and views which
should be respected. do not propose
- enter now into details. | am sug-
costing what seems to me the dictates
OF patriotism for South Carolina.
In South Carolina there are laws
enacted and policies established which
do not command the approval of many
good people. But it is wise to accept
the verdict of the white majority and
To trust to time for such notifications as
may be Objected.
For one have faith in the. white
people Ol my SIaJe. AS one VINO has
identified himself wholly with neither
of the factions of the Democracy
have the right to make my plea, as |
do now, ion Il reunion Of the Democracy
of the State upon the basis OF peace
with honor as to the past and of con-
ccrted action for the future, so that
South Carolina may attain the bless
ings OF unity and prosperity and make
sure the foundations Of her stateship
for ali time.
Under ordinary circumstances the
writer would not obtrude his views
upon the public. But as it is, it seems
to him tEat ut this juncture of our
State affairs, when some people may
be contemplating an unhallowed al
lance, i: is the duty of Independent
citsz ,nslip that knows no ambition
but the veal Of the State to assert
itself in the expression Of matured
views.
have undertaken only to foreshadow
4 policy. am willing for it to go for
what it is iutrinsically worth
John r. THOMAS