The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-02-27

LILO lluSC UldCh oudhO, WAlSi,. ohaN
onda-like held the State in its folds
and came so near crushing it to death
during the dark period from 1868 to
1876, has been redered harmless, tenn
porarily paralyzed, by the registration
and eight-box laws. But it is not dead,
nor is it even sleeping. Encouraged
by the bitter feud existing between the
whites and on the belief that they will
be called on as balance of forces to
settle the quarrel, the Republican
party has been reorganized, the negro
preachers, always the most influential
leaders of their race, are already pre-
pairing to mobilize the black horde. It
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. Thirsting
for control and blind to all the evil con-
sequences they encourage the negroes
to political activity. Irreconciliables,
few in number, we are confident, but
bitter and scheming men are evidently
in league with them, and a perfect
understanding seems to exist. The
devil, moving and instigating them,
as it were, taking these men up on a
mountain and showing them the ne.
groes. saying: ''Energize, mobilize
these black men. and you can rule in
South Carolina" 90.
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 plea.
Their offer to vote for the best men OF
the faction which will give them their
rights may be a temptation to few
ultra politicians but we. have more
faith in the good sense and patriotism
of the conservative masses than to be-
ieve that they are to be thus fooled,
or that they can be led designing men
to form an only bring disgrace to them
and jeopardize, if not destroy our gov
ernment for all time.
We have the opportunity, so 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 menace to our. liberty and
civilization and has hung as an incub
us on our progress, shall be averted
forever. =,
Will not our people, remembering
the struggle of rs and its lesson ol
white unity, ceased their mad strife
and come together as the sons of a com
mon mother to protect that mothe,
and secure for themselves and theil
posterity the blessings of liberty ano
good government, freed from the black
Shadow which has so long been over
our beloved State. There has been
bitterness and angry elimination and
recrimination on both sides. The spirit
of antagonism if longer nursed car
only breed disaster, and no patriot
should wish constitution made by E
victorious and enranged faction after
a fight in which white men have call
ed on the negroes to settle the. differ
enceS.
Whatever have been the causes Of
the differences which have embroiled
our people, we can all unite in select
ing our best, our wisest, our purest cit
liens as delegates and leave it to then
wisdom and patriotism to frame ar
organization for the State. Let these
delegates be chosen at a PRIMARY, IN
which all white Democrats can unite
and move, and vote for men withou
regard to past political differences Of
affiliations. Let character, patriotism
ability and devotion to the main pur
pose for which the convention has
been called be the tests of fitness OF the
delegates, and let the nominees of th'
party be loyal supported at the elec
ton.
A Constitution framed by our best
men, elected in this spirit, would be
worthy of our State and It's history
All must recognize that Constitution
should deal with principles proper tt
be incorporated in the organic law
and not with matters of detail, which
is the province of the Legislature,
With a Constitution made by our OWL
people, suited to their genius and con
dition, endorsed by the great body O
the white race as promptive OF tht
best interests of the whole State ane
establishing by adequate and va!lt
provisions the supremacy of the white
men and delivering us forever from
the fear of negro domination, oul
State will begin new era OF progress
and prosperity.
(Signed
G. NJ. Eird,
Ira B. Jones,
w. d. Evans,
J. j. Gentry,