The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-01-09
The Republicans Organizing
The State.

The Republican leaders in this
State, alarmed at the possibilities at
tending upon Constitutional conven
ton 9',d fearing that without some
decisive action on their part they will
be debarred from a just share Of rep
resentation in that convention, have
issued call for convention Of their
party to meet in this city on Wednes-
day, February 6. According to the
terms of the call, it will not, however.
be strictly speaking, party conven-
ton, but all are invited to participate
in it who ''bclieve in the doctrine of
protection and honest elections re
gardess of thei- past party affilia-
tons
The call is as follows:
COLUMBIA, Jan 4, 1895.
The approaching Constitutional con-
vention presents situation of the
most vital concern The projectors of
the scheme to supplant the present
Constitution have concealed their pur-
poses beyond the admission and boast
that the elective franchise is to be SO
restricted and manipulated that a
large proportion of the colored voters
are to be disfranchised The power of
the convention is supreme. Ifthe pee
pie do not rise in their might and elect
delegates who will protect their estab-
lished rights and interests there is i'm
minent danger that an intolerant and
partisan spirit will dominate, and en-
organic law be adopted which will
represent the views. principles and
schemes of a hostile and revengeful
faction.
The call fox action ard untring ef-
fort to avert the fate which has been
decreed is load ard imperative. The
ieti!argy and despair under which the
people rest must be thrown Oft No
issue of equal importance has ever
been presented to the citizens Of the
State, and it is time means were
adopted to arouse the voters and &C
qa;nt them with the perilous stua-
ton.
As now circumstanced, Republi-
cans are powerless. Where active
and efficient organization is essen
tial they are in the dilemma of nav
ing no binding and legal party
organization, growing out Of the
failure to elect a State executive
committee and county chairman
during the last year, as required by
the rules Of the party.
1t is therefore felt, and the occa-
sion demands the assembling Of q
State convention as speedily as pos
sible, to be composed of the most
intelligent, wise and representative
men, for the purpose of formulating
plans for conducting this campaign
and of organizing the party On a
live, liberal, progressive basis, 80
that those who see in the success of
the Republican party the best hope
for the welfare of the people and the
prosperity of our country, may teel
that in our party they will find 3
welcome and chance for preferment.
1t should be understood the question
of past party afiliation is ignored,
aud that all those who believe in the
doctrine of protection aud honest
elections are entitled to and will be
accorded fair and equal recognition.
The unloosing Of party ties in the
State offers the chance for the Re-
publican party to begin career of
active usefulness and secure the CO.
operation of all we'll wishers Be-
sides the usual registration days on
the frst Monday in each mouth,
there have been ten extra registration
days provided. This offers great
opportunity and incentive, and we
believe the people can. on this
supreme occasion. be aroused
throughout the State.
Therefore we feel impeled and
warranted by the overmastering issue
aud our crippled party condition to
assume the responsibility of calling
State Republican convention, to
meet at Columbia, S G., on Wednes-
day, February 9th, 1895; at II m to
take such action as the exigency de-
mands
Each county will be entitled to the
same number Of delegates and alter.
mates as it has members of the Cen
eral Assembly, and where not other
wise provided mass meeting to
elect delegates should be held at the
county seat in each county on Satur.
day, February end, 1895.
The very life of suffrage in this
State is at stake and other cherished