The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-09-25
"PEAcEIN THIS CONVENTION"

had hoped that no factlOnal lines
would be drawn but they have been.
Not one solitary Conservative voted
for the name Saluda and some few
good Reformers yielded through infu-
ence to disgrace their State. You have
drawn the line and not we. Those of
you who have blundered in this move
ment take warning. If you give us
the point of the sword you will receive
it back. If you offer us the olive
branch we will receive it asSouth Car
olinians and do nothing to draw the
lines. In Gods name let's stamp out
any attempt to inject partisan feeling
here. Now, I apologize for tresspass-
ing on your pacience by this long at
tention and move that Saluda be sub
stituted for the name Butler wherever
it appears in the ordinance.
IRBY REPLIES.
AS he finished all eyes turned first to
Senator Irby and then to Mr.. George
| D. Tillman. Both intended to reply
as the members felt morally certain
they would. During Senator Till.
mans reference to Senator Irby, that
gentleman sat quietly in his chair, but
the piercing glance he gave his broth.
er Senator was but a feeble indication
of his feelings.
Arising from his seat, ne commenced
calmly to reply, but he too waxed
warm as he proceeded. He too was
cheered, for both of the political glad
iators in the arena had their friends
and adherents.
Senator Irby said: MIR. President
and gentlemen of the convention: 1
regret that it is necessary for me to
some extent to have something to say
in this most unfortunate debate. I
have listened with a great deal OF at
tention to the able speech of the gen.
tleman from Edgefeld, and if he
hadn't seen fit to criticise my silence
on Saturday, I would not stoop to en-
gage in this debate. It is too small,
too petty for members of this great
constitutional convention at the very
threshold of its great work to inject
partisan politics in it. I was all very
nice in the gentleman after arraying
Conservative against Reformer in the
most bitter speech he ever made, to ap-
peal for peace and harmony.
I never Joined the politicians when
the cry of peace and unity was made.
It was nothing but a pretext to gain
Office. But the election is now over
and we are here as the representatives
of the people of South Carolina and
eshould be above all petty jealousies
we should have peace and harmony
amongst us in the performance of our
great duties.
ATTACKS TILLMAN.
He dares to criticise me because 1
dared to vote as I pleased. By my
vote did not intend to compliment
Senator Butler, but I throw it back in
his teeth and say that nothing Butler
will ever do will disgrace the State Of
South Carolina. Cheers. His name
will live and be honored when you
are forgotten.
am not the champion of Butler. I
fought earnestly to defeat him, but he
was agallant soldier and has been
guilty of indiscretion, but he has been
defeated by you and you should have
manliness and magnanimity to let him
alone. 1t i'll becomes you to follow
him in this convention and stamp
upon him. We are here to form law
to suit Conservatives and Reformers
alike, and 80 help me G1d, l will not
help in making any law that will not
be for the benefit of bot'i. (Applause.)
BARNWELL AND UTLER.
Idare to remind the entleman from
Edgefeld, because th people will not
forget it, that Butler is as good as j.
w. Barnwell. Butler has disgraced
himself, he says. Where does Joe
Barnwel stand2 He was the first man
| in the State that dared oppose the
will of the people and had the courage
to come out and run on the Haskell
ticket. Did he disgrace his name2 No,
sir, he may have disgraced himself
but never the name of Barnwell. Yet
he is good enough to enter into q
written contract with which, if it had
been carried out, would have defeated
the will of the people of South Caro-
lima. He CTilfman) entered into a
contract which would have given the
convention to the Conservatives. 1t
comes with i'll grace from a man who
makes contracts with Independents to
say a man has disgraced himself be-
cause he voted for Butler.
TILLMAN'S DEBT TO HIM.
Thank God, I have always voted and
acted as I thought best for all the peo-
pie of South Carolina. I believe the
Reform movement to be the best thing
for the people and ! have always been
the strictest advocate Of its principles.
I challenge the gentleman to say if
any man has ever done more for him
personally and politically than I have.
yet he undertakes to reprimand me.
Why didn't he stay here and answer
that speech on Saturday. thought
he went to see sick daughter but it
turns out she was well. I took no
ofense at what was said.
Mr.. G.. D. Tillman, (interrupting) {:
Let me repeat what did sa7. said !:
pray God that South Carolina will
always have a Senator who is the
equal of Butler in honor, honesty and
influence, but fear that she will uot
soon have one who is his superior or
even his equal. And I repeat it here,
Mr.. Tillman exclaimed with emphasis.
ACQUISITION OF MoDEsTY.
Mr.. Irby, resuming, said: On a
question of that sort l take no offense.
1 have too much modesty and I am
sorry he did not have the modesty to
let what he did say remain unsaid.