The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-08-10

would know DelCer tnan 10 De leacnll 2
the people that we are at liberty to do
as they like not only in regard to SUIT
frage, but also in regard TO interstate
commerce and a number Of other things
over which the Federal government
has exclusive control.
The worst thing about a constilu-
lional convention now, however, Is
that our white people are hopelessly
divided and it seems plain we have
waited too loDg-too long 10 assemble
a convention that could undoubtedly
build fundamental law to secure
white supremacy 10 better advantage
if the Caucasian race were animated
as one man like they used TO be. The
whites OF nearly all the Other conquered
States of the South were so animated
when they held constitutional conven-
lions years ago te extract the dangerous
fangs of negro suffrage. Not only
were they together, but they were pru-
dent, moderate, gu et-"wisc "a SER
pants and harmless as doves" Their
leaders kept tier own counsel and did
not get on the housetops like our Re-
form leaders to defy the whole ;atlon
by boasting th.t they would dlSfran-
chise almost every negro and net dis
franchise a single hite man, even If
the fifteenth amendment does read:
"The right Of citiz ms Of the United
States to vote shall not be denied by
abridged by the United States, or by
any State ON account Of race, co'or OF
previous condition"
While trumpetit G thus idle bravado,
which ncedlessly alarmed the negroes,
our braegart, fussv Reform leaders
also pretended white supremacy was
in danger, and charged thousands OF
Conservative whites with catering. 10
the negro vote, which charge was
falsely made simply to try to justify
the use of our questionable leglstra'
ton laws 10 eXcn1e numerous Con-
serva,ive white votes from tie polls.
Both at the Refo.m and Democratic
party primaries cad at the general
election for all parties last Year hum
dreds and even thousands of Demo-
Gratis were denied vote because they
c. uld not produce a registration certlfl-
cate, and our registration law was SO
u.rageously amended At he late scs-
sion Of the Legislature as 10 Practically
,iSfranchi.e many thou ,auds OF Con-
sci va,ive white as well rs negro vot=rs
70 prevent item from possibly being
able to cast a ballot in the choic: OF
delegates to the constitutions conVen-
ton.
To employ the slang Of the Reform
leaders, it is true that the ariStOcrats
who filled the Democratic offices in
South Carolina between 1876 and 1870
first devised the registration and eight
box laws and had the benefit Of them
f,r a number of years, but those laws
were designed for use by the arsto-
Gratis only at a general election, whereas
the Reform faction enforced them at 3
Democratic party primary. Farther
more the aristocrats applied the regis
traticn law exclusively against negroes,
whereas the Reformers applied 1t
ainst all white men who would not
vote the Reform ticket, and after
having done those things it comes with
Iii grace from Reform leaders to re-
preach Conservatives with doing, or
intending to do, anything 10 widen the
breach between the two white factions.
| It IS rs stos1rro- fv1 Ayirg thief to
shout ''stop thief to an innocent man.
The fact is such conduct by the Re-
formers, together with their false pre-
teuses, delusive promises and unrc-
Ceemel pledges as to exposing corrup-
ton, reducing taxation, abclishine
offices (instead Of which they have
created hundreds ofnew Offices alarm
ing usurpations of power by the execu-
tive and the courts and especially the
bas.y adoption as well as the bloody
enforcement Of the dispensary tyranny
have dug an impossible gulf between
the white factions, and it is futile to
attempt to bridge the chasm except On
the line of no taction-no partlsanshlp
in electing delegates. Hence also there
should be no candidates, no caucussing,
no pledges for so high an Office reQnir-
ing such extraordinary qualifications
and character to fill it properly.
In England, as well as in all the
great English speaking colonies. and
in all the best governed States of this
Union, including al the free reprcsan-
tative governments of The whole
world, whenever it comes to consider
constitutional questions or TO hold
special elections for choosing public
servants to discuss and decide those
fundamental constitutional measures,
partl$anship is thrown aside and in
accordance with the only correct theory
of good representative government,
"tLe wises. and the best" are selected
with, ut regard to party utilization.
This has been II e doctrine taught and
the practice followed in Sou:h Caro-
lima during all har pass history. In
mos! of the Northern S atcs Democrats
have frequently elected Republican
delegates and r publicaus have often
ch ,scn Demo delegates to consIi-
,uliopal conventions. But it looks
from present indications South Caro-
lima is to have factional partisan con-
vention 10 legisla:e presumably as
much against Conservative white men
in respect 10 suffrage as against ne
groes. 1t is either this or the Reform
ers simply wish to exercise despotic
power; otherwise, why raise any issue
about the factional association of
proposed delegate if his character and
qualification point him out as suitable?
There is certainly no money and only
small honor with great deal of thank
less hard work and immense response
hility for capable delegate, who will
conscientiously do his duty to the
State and to himself.
ALL nnr resnectahle white neOple in