The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-06

well from Charleston, SenatOr mower from
NeWberry, Senator Sloan from Richland and
Representative AltanonL Moses from Sum-
ter. MIR. Hemphill of the News and Courier
was also present. With Senator Tilman and
Efird from Lexington. and also chairman of
the State campaign committee.
After an alI nights discussion we finally
reached the following agreement. That IN Oh
der TO bring the two factions of the white peo-
pie together, and TO secure an absolutely non
partisan convention, that The delegates be
eu uully divided between the Retormers and
Conservatives, viz: SO each; but that all dele
gates stand upon Tue following platform:
/. Such Limitation OF The suffrage az Will In
sure white supremacy.
2 That the constitution be not submitted
back TO the people for ratification.
3. Leaving the matter OF free schools to the
General Assembly, but requiring that the
Legislature shall literally support them.
Did you attempt or expect to bind any one
by this agreement?
Not at all. Gov. Tilman In his two Inter
views" and our conference In their Address"
distinctly say that we knew we had no dele
gated authority and no right To either bind or
dictate TO anybody, but simply, that in our
Judgment, the above plan would be good
one by which to re-unite the white people Of
the State, and that we would advise It's adop-
tion in our respective counties. This plan
was subsequently ratified unanimously by
our full conference When the com1nlLtee OF
five made It's report
Do you think the conditions onerous, or do
you think they involve the sacrifice OF any
principle on either side?
i do not think so. No two disagreeing peO
pie can ever agree Without mutual giving
and taking" Neither can two opposing fac
lions, More than this, both sides, Of necessi-
", when a mutual agreement is reached,
must place u certain confidence in each 9TH
er; and ! am free TO say that believe Gov
Tillman and his associates we're as honest ana
sincere on their part rs know that we were
on our part.
have always been in favor Of such reason
able and Constitutional Limitation OF the suf
, Irage as will insure white rule, and believe
IL can be accomplished.
This is a white mans country and the soon-
er that fact is brought home TO the negro BY
constitutional enactment, the better for the
State and the better for him. arm IL friend to
the negro IN all things save politics.
1t IL idle, IL seems to ne, and OF little
weight, TO say that he is not now seeking pow
or but only desires the right OF suffrage In or.
der 10 vote for the best men. He may put up
no candidates now, but as certain aS fate
when he gets the power, ne VIII exercise 1t
for his own race, and the terrible days from
IS. to &c become again u possibility-to say
nothing OF the temptation to the ''ouls'' in
politics, TO appeal TO his vote. l. for one,
think II better for the negro himself and bet
ter for the State, thai he let politics absolute
ly alone: for If he again enters that field
there will be- trouble, and the negro will
be the party TO suffer.
Happiness and prosperity are not dependent
upOu Guc uhllOIs 1uC pcoPiC vi
the ricnest and most aristocratic In the
land, have no vote.
There will be no necessity 10 refer the Con-
stLution back TO the people IL the factions
tion will then be framed acceptable to all and
IL would only precipitate second hard fight.
Az 10 the free schools, am IN favor of the
two mill tax. But this part OF the agreement
hampers no one, as IL Is proposed to require
that the Legislature shall make Liberal ap-
preparations for the schools, which, II desired,
eau be put at not less than Two mills
Was anything agreed concerning the "Police
Powers" OF the State?
Not one thing. II was further understood
that the Dispensary WAS not TO be put In to the
Constitution, 1t being said that If Tie Dispen-
sary was q SUCCESS IL was here 10 stay, and if q
failure that II ought to go. There was no
agreement as TO the Dispensary whatever.
Was anything said concerning the "Missis-
sippi Plan" of milling the suftrageo
plan mentioned, only that we agreed IN the
general that we would meet naf way on
some good scheme 10 limit the suffrage, to be
worked out by the Convention.
Do you think the agreement advised would
bring our people together?
do. | believe II is the only plan that will,
ind more than this, believe this is the last
call.
The moderate men. in both factions. be-
lieve are ready TO come together II only let
III
the inevitable appeal TO the negro, then 1T
means permanent and lasting schisin and
woes numbered for twenty years 10 come
This is a critical time for the white people OF
this stale.
The Reformers will concede much by allow
ing equal representation, but they can afford
IL anu It comes with gracious grace from the
faction jim power to be .generous-especially
when II means peace, white supremacy and Is
all for the good of the whole slate.
If the Conservatives are to bear part OF the
responsibility OF the constitution they should
be in position to have an equal voice In Its
making. Equal represen tation would act as
balance-wheel and safety valve TO both fac
tions The delegates could and would mingle
with each other and after thorough discus
sion vote on all questions without any preju-
dice or partisan bias.
1t seems to me this a golden opportunity
TO "get together" There are no offices TO be
tilled by a Constitutional Convention which
might tempt the ambitious partisan. The
salary of a member ($2 per day. surely cannot
allure, but the people are called on 10 electa
body of men to frame the organic law OF our
state for perhaps @ MY years TO TO come Lne6. 6
crate men OF the country cannot come togeih-
er and forget, for the once, that the
Reformers have majority in this county?
course will insure the re-uniting OF our peo-
pie and can do no possible herm-I confess it
does seem to me, folly.
What do you think of the call of the
"F0rty?"
uln in thorough sympathy with them and
all other efforts looking to reconciliation and
peace. TOOK part in their meeting on last
Monday and think our Conference and the
Forty are on the same line. There Is no an.
ta.ouiSm between US and we must all work
for the same desired end.
What do you think OF the interviews OF
Ssnalor Irby and Congressman Wilson
Well, Mr.. Editor, think have already talk
ed much more than you bargained for, and;l
think had better quit. do not think, how.
ever, That the gentleman named can make
iilrirn out OF their "war-to-the-knife" policy
MuSi of our people want peace and cessat
Ir.ruI strife. cr:mnaton and re-criminalion.
and hardly think they can "carry the war
into Africa simply to crafty high federal
officials. when IL Is patent that they must de-
pend solely for continuation Of office upon
continuation OF strife | ain therefore not
surprised at the views expressed and do moi
think they will amount To much.
Gov. Tillman has said two things In his In
lerviews which. i think. strife the key notes,
and which we would all do well To remember
|. "The practical, sensible, patriotic men on
both sides must get together and hold the ex
iremiStS uOwn.'
,. IF the Reform party must depend upon
strife for its eXisLence, then IL should die