The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1895-02-01

State or controlled the destinies Of a
free people. defy them! Let them
take the office | hold, tif they can.
They cannot muzzle my tongue, nor
stihe my manhood or independence.
They are now making preparations to
control the Constitutional Convention
and thereby perpetuate themselves in
power, and, if necessary to accomplish
this, white men, as well as the negro
will be ruthlessly disfranchised. The
"Antis," one part are cowed and
whipped, the other part too mad to
have any sense, and while q part OF
the Iteformers" who want fair play
are silent, an arrogant minority, held
together by the cohesive power OF
spoils, runs roughshod over all. Offices
are multiplied by the thousand to pre-
vent kicking" while the hands Cf the
Executive are strengthened by un-
limited patronage, and the towns in
| timidated by the threat Of depriving
them of the precious heritage Of local
lself-government.
The Alliance has been destroyed or
| simply converted into an adjunct of
the political machine by methods that
would make the stripes Of Tammany
Tiger pale with envy. Men are afraid
| to speak, or speak with bated breath.
Pretended salary reductions are made
on the principle of cutting everybody
olse's salary except their own. While
the patient, toiilng masses, are in debt
| and Straining every nerve to keep the
| "wolf from the door," their a ttention
is led away and centered upon personal
and local issues that, no matter which
way they are decided, will benefit no
one except a few individuals. What
| in the name of Heaven can the people
expect from such purblind statesman
ship? Where do they come in? Every
man. woman and child in South Caro-
lima knows that am telling the truth.
and many good Reformers see in the
ugly picture the finale To the beautiful
| dream OF 1871.
Our only hope is to get together in
this Convention, and if possible, pre-
vent the ring" from controlling it.,
aud frame Constitution which will
command the respect and confidence of
the whole people, thereby uniting and
! placing US in position in 1896 where
we can avail ourselves of the most
| favorable opportunity that national
politics may then offer. 1t is useless
to tcmporiZe. If we be men, let us
act, and, at least, purchase an honora-
BILE defeat.
For what I have already said and
done along this line | have been the
subject OF yituperation, slauder and
abuse, apd | shrink, no one knows
how much, from offering myself as a
further target to the foul pen of hire
lings and slaves.
If doing my duty manfully and con-
scicntiously relcgates me to private
life, | welcome it. Let the phalanx
put all Of its spears into my body if
thereby the cause Of liberty is con
served.
1t was the expressed hope of many
that the Forty" ere this would have
taken such action as would have made
their influence felt on the line indicat-
ed by them, which met with such
general approval throughout the State.
I hope and believe the matter will
soon cOnsummate' in definite action,
and thereby unite all those who sincere
ly want "peace and unity"
Men who possess the courage of their
convictions must confer in the near
future. and adopt such a line OF action
as will subserve the best interests of
the State. 1t is fight against the
bOssism and "ring rule which
seeks to prostitute every principle OF
popular rights to selfish purposes.
Let those who believe peace can be
obtained without an effort deceive
themselves no longer. Peace has
never been purchased without a stern
battle ~ secure its blessings.
Yours respectfully,
JOHN l.. McLAURIN.
Washington, January l3, 1898.