The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-04-02
THE FORTY CONVENTION.
"A LARGE AND REPREsENTATIvE
GATHERING.

7 /. Z. o. 4.
Equal Representation is Endorsed
and Advlsed-A Working Commit
tee Organized-NO Conflict with tht
Democratic Executive Committee.
Columbia Register.
& It was q most earnest, inteliigen,
and patriotic set OF men who met IL
the State House as members OF the
Forty conference, which, starting
out with but little flourish OF trum
pets, has developed into one OF the big
political movements In State famous
for the excitement and turmoil Incl
: dent to local politics above all others
The conference was composed of botf
Reformers and Conservatives and 1,
was fine o looking body of men as had
ever assembled in the State House.
Judging from their speeches they are
earnestly bent on securing not only
white supremacy, but white unity
which is broad enough TO include
everybody.
AS to what the convention accom-
plished the report of its proceedings
will show. AS to what 1t will accom-
plish time can only tell.
Senator II. j. kirkland, of Kershaw,
who was secretary of the "Forty,'
called the convention to order. In do.
ing SO he said that before calling the
convention to order he had been re.
quested to read the call under which
the delegates had assembled. After
finishing the reading of the call Mr..
kirkland said in substance: 81 take
it that this representative assemblage
was an evidence that principles dear
to the heart OF the people of the State
were involved. Otherwise in these
hard times 1t could not be expected
that business men would leave their
a..
Columbia. There were two principles
brought before the people now, and,
which this convention showed by the
attendance that IL meant to solve, white
supremacy and the supremacy of the
people over any man or set of men,
These two principles are dear to the
souls of every white man. applause J
In this convention let us have no words
OF harshness or bitterness. We are
not here to have u milk and mush peace
and harmony, and every man Is re.
quested to express his honest opinion
without fear and fully, but t'us do
everything without bitterness of
thought or expression. Those who
have called this conference together
have had many hard things said about
them, but we owe nobody any apollo
gies and will cherish no bitterness.
"White unity is essential to white
supremacy and this sentiment, like q
full river, is sweeping everything be-
fore it. (Applause.) May Providence
give us wisdom, strength and courage
to accomplish something that will be o
blessing to our people and our terri
tory" (Applause.)
He then announced that nomina-
tions for chairman were In order.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Mauldin, of
Greenvilie, arose and said that the oc-
4 u .s.l> La r4. 30
gether was one of the most important in
the history of South Carolina. We have
! come together as brothers and sons of
common mother. We are not mere
= for discrimination and we come together
without animosity for any man or set
OF men. He hoped that there did not
sit in the hall one man whose political
aspirations would keep him from work
ing to bring the people of South Caro-
lima together. l come here as o Con-
servative and have always been one,
but come TO bury any difference may
have had with brother Carolinian
politically and let it rest in oblivion.
We come here to do what we can to
elevate the people of the State and to
strive to do all in our power to restore
peace and unity among them. With
the expression of these sentiments
take pleasure in nominating DR.. Tim
South Carolina, as chairman OF the
Mr.. J. T. Robertson, of 'Abbeville,
seconded the nomination and DIR. Tim
norman was unanimously elected.
In taking the chair DR.. Zimmerman
made speech full OF feeling, the sent
iments Of which were liberally ap-
plauded. He said: "TO be called
upon to preside over this convention
nf a m n
of the State, men with so high, noble
and patriotic purpose as securing
peace and unity for our people, Is no
small honor, and l appreciate the hon
or and thank you most sincerely for 1t.
If, in the Providence of God, my pub
lie life should soon end, l shall rejoice
that it ended in so noble and grand q
cause. am on the short of life. [
have no personal or political ambition
except an honest mention and pur-
pose to benefit the whole people Uf
South Carolina. The true and honest
sentiments of his own bosom were to
bring the people Of South Carolina to-
gether, that they may have a common
interest in social, political and mate
rial development. He was certain
that every member present entertain
ed the same sentiments we are met
together for the purpose of obtaining
harmony and good will and the sinking
out of fview of all past political differ
ences. If we shall have accomplished
this. we will have done all we could
hope for.
"He trusted that the guiding star
of the conference would be mutual
forbearance, admiration and forgive
ness. Let us all work to that end,
and working for it, / believe the peo
pie of South Carolina will sustain us
In our efforts at forever sinking
factional difference in South Caro-
lima.
DR.. Zimmerman announced the con
vention ready for business and said
the first thing was the election of sec
retaries.
Capt. Fl. T. Thompson, of Darlington
and ID. M. Therrell, of Charleston, were
chosen as secretaries.
Senator Finley, OF York, moved thai
committee of two from each Congress
sional District be appointed on resolu
tions and platform. Mr.. Applet called
attention to the fact that some countie.
had not followed the call exactly ant
had elected more than three delegates
s He thought every county should have
equal representation, and he moved
tsiat proper roll Of the convention b'
gotten up.
Mr. w p MurDhy. Of Charleston