The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-06
THE COMPROMISE PLAN.
AN ADDRESS TO THE CONSERVATIVE
VOTERS OF THE STATE.

Issued by a Committee of Distinguished
(,ouservatives--An Able and Patriotic
Document--They Want Peace Among tho
White People.
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. 26.-The Con-
scrvative pacifcation committee met
in this city last night in room 10 at
Wright's Hotel and after discussion
continuing till after midnight, pre-
pared an address to the people OF the
State. Among those present were:
Col. L. w. Youmans, Senator Barn
we'll, Msjor J. G. Hemphill, Rrichard
I, Manning, Col. George Johnstone,
H. Haynsworth, Altamont Moses,
Samuel Dibble, Butler Hagood, w. L..
Roddey, T. M. Raysor, J. P. Mcneil,
Leroy Springs, Henry T. Thompson
w. G.. MCGOWAN and others. The
following is the address:
To the Conservative Democracy OF
South Carolina:
The commercial, industrial andpoll-
tical welfare of South Carolina should
constrain the people Of the State to
work together. They speak the same
tongue, they cherish the same tradl'
tions, they are governed by the same
laws and institutions, they owe allie
eiance to the same State.
During the last four years we have
been sorely divided on public questions.
Wedo not deem it necessary or proper
to attempt any review of the causes
which have resulted III the DIVISION
of our people into hostile factions. This
| is not the time nor the occasion Tor
elimination or recrinlination. The
crisis confronting us is far too serious
| to admit of partisan treatment: we
desire to bring about reconciliation.
We would promote harmony. We
would counsel spirit Of self-sacriflce
as the surest means of self-presrvatlon,
and would urge upon all our people
the patriotic duty of uniting now for
the good of the State. Let us have a
truce between the political factions in
the State. We can secure peace With
out the sacrifice of principle or selfre-
spect-peace on fair conditions, peace
with honor.
At the last session of the General
Assembly, in pursuance OF a vote OF
| the people, an act was passed provid.
| ing for the holding of Constitutional
convention, This convention Will re-
construct the fundamental law OF the
State. Its powers are unlimited. the
result of it's deliberations will affect
| for good or i'll every department OF
our political, social and industrial life;
It should not represent any political
faction. 1t should be composed OF the
wisest, safest and best men in the
State, without regard to factional af-
filiations. This great work should be
undertaken in the spirit of patriotic
devotion to the State, and not with a
view to party success or partisan adj
vantage. The interests committed to
it's care are too important to incur the
perils of bitter and angry campaign.
The convention should be controlled in
its work by spirit of calm and jul
dicial fairness, so that when its labors
have been finished it will meet with
the approval of all good citizens OF the
State.
For the purpose of securing this end,
patriotic citizens in different groups
throughout the State and of varying
political opinion for months past have
been counseling and comforting with
each other, and as the result of this
earnest thought, we are prepared to
advise and urge upon you the accept.
ance of the following as the basis OF
action for the election of delegates to
the convention, which it is believed
will meet the acquiescence of all who
desire cessation of political strife
amongst white Democrats.
First. That each county, acting for
itself as to the question of election, by
primary or otherwise, as deemed best
by the county executive committee,
shall give each faction equal represen-
tation in the convention.
|. Second. That in those counties
where primary elections are held all
persons participating in the same shall
take pledge to abide the result and
support the nominees at the general
election. In counties where the nom
nations are made other wise than by
primary both factions in such county
Shall be pledged in like manner to
support such nominees.
Third. In all counties where the
delegates shall be nominated by prl-
mary the managers and clerk of such
primary election at every voting pre-
cinct or in every club shall be equally
divided between the factions.
Fourth. That the delegates from
both factions shall be selected with the
understanding that they shall be pledg-
ed to the following principles:
(a). Such qualification of the suf-
frage as will guarantee white suprema-
cy, and that no white man shall be dis
franchised except for crime.
(b. A Constitution of principles,
and not dealing in legislation but
leaving the Legislature full control Of
the free schools and requiring the
Legislature to literally support them.
The constitution shall not provide a
system of police regulation, but this
and all kindred questions shall be re-
garded as within the scope of legisla-
tive authority.
(c). The Constitution when adopted
shall not be submitted to the people,
such course being unnecessary it the
convention be representative of the
whole white people of the State.