The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-02-26

parry mdcnlhory diOue preserved tue
| purity OF the victory which was won
against such fearful odds in 1876. The
| slogan, An Independent is worse
than Radical has been no idle
phrase, but a living, burning text,
faith in which meant Anglo-S Saxon su-
premacy, good government and the
preservation of our civilization.
Cut the sword of Damocles has been
suspended over our heads through a
Constitution guaranteeing universal
suffrage. The census OF 1870 shows
that the negroes have majority OF
more than 10000 men OF voting age.
The huge black snake, which, anacon
da-like, held the Stateain its folds and
came so near crushing it to death dur
ing the dark period from 1868 to 1876,
porarly paralyzed, by the registration
and eight-box laws. But It is not
dead, nor is it even sleeping. En-
couraged by the bitter feud existing
between the whites and no doubt rely
ing on the belief that they will be
called on as q balance of forces to set
tie the quarrel, the Republican party
has been reorganized, the negroe
preachers, always the most influential
leaders of their race, are already pres
pairing to mobilize the black horde.
1t Is sad commentary on the mad ex-
tremes to which factional political
strife can carry men to note the atti-
tude OF some of our men and newspa-
pers toward the movement. Thirst
ing for control and blind to all the
evil consequences, they encourage the
negroe to political activity. Irrecon-
ciliables, few in number, we are con-
ident, but bitter and scheming mon
are evidently in league with them,
and perfect outstanding seems to
exist. The devil, moving and instigat-
ing them, as 1t were, taking these
men up on mountain and showing
them the negroes, saying: Energize,
mobilize these black men, and you can
rule in South Carolina"
The plea is made By the Republican
leaders that the Republicans do not
seek to obtain Office or regain control
Of the government, but no men of
sense can be deceived by such q plea
Of the faction which will give them
their rights may be a temptation to a
few ultra politicians, but we have
more faith In the sense and patriotism
of the conservative masses than to be-
tteve tnat they arc to be thus fGcled,
or that they can be led by designing
men to form an alliance which caR
only bring disgrace to them and jeot
pardiZe, If not destroy our government
for all time.
We have the opportunity, 80 long
sought of fixing the privilege of suf.
frage so that the fullest political free
dom shall obtain, and all danger from
the ignorant black majority, which
has been q menace to our liberty and
civilization and has hung as an inctl-
bus on our progress, shall be averted
forever.
Will not our people, remembering
the struggle Of '76 and it's lesson OF
white unity, cease their mad strife
and come together as the sons of
common mother to protect that
mother and secure for themselves
and their posterity the blessings of
Liberty and good government, freed
from the black shadow which has so
long been over our beloved State.
There has boen bitterness and angry
elimination and recrimipation on both
sidos. The spirit of antagonism If
longer nurscd can only breed dicaster,
and no patriot should wish q constitu-
tion made by % victorious and enraged
faction after u fight in which white
men have called on the0negroes to set
tie tho differences.
Whatever have been the causes of
the differences which have embroiled
our people, wo can all unite inselecting
our best, our wisost, our purest citi-
zens as delegates, and leave it to thcir
wisdom and patriotism to frame an or
ganizatiOn for the State. Let these
delegates be chosen at primary, in
which all white Democrats can unite
and move, and vote for mon without
regard to past political differences or
Affiliations. Let character, patriotism,
ability aud devotion to the main pur-
poses for which the convention has
been called be the tests OF fitness OF
the delegates, and let the nominees of
tie party be Loyalty supported at the
election.
A Constitution framed by our best
mon, elected in this spirit, would be
worthy of our State aud its history.
All must recognize that Constitution
should deal with principles proper to
be incorporated in the organic law,
and not with matters OF detail, which
is the province of the Legislature.
With Constitution made by our own
people, suited to their genius and con-
dition, endorsed by the great body OF
the white race al promotive of the
best interests OF the whole State and
establishing by adequate and valid
provisions the supremacy OF the white
men and delivering us forever from
the fear Of negro domination, our
State will begin new era OF progress
and prosperity.
(Signed) G. M. ,EFIRD,
IRA b. JONES,
w. ID. EVANS,