The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-02-13
A PRIMARY ORDERED.
AN IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE
STATE COMMITTEE.


STATE COMMITTEE.
ton Composed of the Best Material and
Determined to Make this a White Mans
State.
COLUMBIA, S. G., Feb. THE De-
mocratic executive committee met here
tonight and referred all of its work to
special sub committees. The meeting
was well attended, the following
members being present: J. Y. Jones,
w. NJ. Jordan, j. P. Glenn, r. H.
Sweeney, P. H. Gadsden, T. J. Cunn-
ingham. NJ. F. Jackson. J. T. Davis,
A. Z. Williams. R. B. Watson, 7.
w. Traylor, r. NJ. McCown, J. W.
Gray. j. p. Derham, J. Gentry, T. }.
Kirkland. Ira B. Jones, J. L. NJ. lrby,
c.. NJ. Eird, J. D. Montgomery, W.
D. Evans, J. A. Sigh. 0. R. Lowman,
T. c.. Robinson, Willie Jones. D. +.
keels, n. L. Burnside, 4. c. Lyles,
VI. l.. Donaldson, Secretary D. H.
Tompkins.
AS soon as the roll was; call
ed Chairman Irby arose and said:
Gentlemen of the Committee: 1t has
been customary for the chairman Of
this committee to open its proceedings
without any remarks, but on this oc-
casion I deem it necessary to have
something to say in brief. In view OF
all that has happened in this State
since 1890 it is well that we should
take our bearings now and meet the
situation face to face like men. can
not congratulate YOU oi: 4 bright out.
look for the Democracy. 1on and
those who we represent are IN no way
responsible for this. When the De-
mocratic party came into power IN
1876. under a Constitution that was
forced upon the people by a Republl-
can Government. one of the first ques-
tons advocated, the first demand made
by the people, was for Constitutional
Convention to frame an organic lew
that would be adopted to their wants.
The powers tha; controlled between
rs and 80. for reasons satisfactory to
themselves. but unexplained 10 the
people. dalled with this question and
refused their reasonable demands.
Fortunately for tie State the people
took charge in 1890, and after long
and hard struggle succeeded in ratlfy-
| ing the call made by the Legislature OF
1898. The Democratic party of the
State, whom you and may represent,
and 1 may say the only Democratic
organization in the State, proposed i.
its Convention Of last September to
make it party question. The Re,
publicans and Independents, aided by
some loyal Democrats. came very near
defeating this call at the November
election. You and l considered it as
| our imperative duty, representing as
we did the will of that Convention, to
urge the people to sustain it. After a
! fair antt free election it was carried by
a short margin.
I had hoped when this call was
made and the Legislature has passed
an Act carrying it out that lis white
enemies. for good of the State and
white supremacy, would have ground
ed their arms and allowed a peaceful.
and harmonious solution of this qucs.
! ton. But not so. We are confronted
to-day first by a Republican organiza
ton, which. outside OF a few Congress
| sional districts, has besl! regarded asa
political corpse, through its represent
atives, and its black hosts are now at
tempted to be marshalled for despar
ate struggle. But for some things
which ! shall hereafter mention, Il
could De easily overcome. for the Re
! publicans IN this State are tired OF
politics and cannot be organized II
such numbers rs to threaten this Con
vc;ltior and wdiie supremacy
Second. There is a quasi orgaalza'
ton made up uuder the leadership OF
the State. They. calling themselves
Democrats. are unwilling, and have
been since 1880, 70 submit to what
majority OF the white people demand
and are ready, not only to defeat the
call and objects of this Convention
but to unite in an unholy alliance
with the negro leaders whom they
helped to overthrow in 1876 rejoice
however, that this number is small
and cannot assume dangerous proper
tons. There is still another element
that is the more conservative SOCIAL
ed) element-who are unwilling tt
unite with the negro, but who are un
friendly to the present Administration
and its officers.
There is still another that belongs tc
what is known as the Reform party
most ii not all, of whom were opposed
to the election of Governor Evans.
Lastly, there is the Reform move
ment, upon whom, thank God, thi:
committee, with all its scattered forces
if necessary to maintain white supre
macy, can rally and rely. and ever
with the great detection among thu
white people can defeat the Republl
cans and save the Convention. 1t /:
our duty, and the white people Of the
State expect US to perform it, to SET
that Republicans are defeated for del
egates to this Convention. There is NJ
use to mince words about it. We mus
carry this Convention Or white supre
macy is gone forever.
The Constitution under which W.
warc elected does not give us the ex
| press power to act in this matter, bu
it does by implication. 1t was a ques
ty. This committee took charge OF /
as such and urged its ratification a
the first election. They talked 0
peace, of harmony in the Democratic
party. There is rs much peace ant
harmony in that party in South Car
olina as there is in any State ii tn
Union. 1t is only tie whole of tn
minority who will net submit 10 th'
| will OF the majority.
| l would not dictate have trlet
since I have been chairman Of thu
committee to avoid even the appear
ance of diccation, but there is sonIy or
way in which peace and harmony cal