The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-12-12

all the counties Il the Siate were rep
resented, AID made sEcn Z showing
that even that very hostile paper, the
Charleston News and Courier, u o
shrek Of alarm, characterized itas tae
first live Republican convention held
in South Carolina since the downfall OF
Radicalism in 1875. ~ that conven-
lion, among ether things, we adopted
q platform in fn:; accord with that OF
the national Republican pngty-on ali
national issues OF tie day-the tariff:
soa1d money, civil service reform, etc.
these principles We insist are in no
way hostile o. detrimental to the 0es:
Interests of the South, and We t:eny
thas the Republican party IS II any
sense F. sectional party any more than
is the Democratic party.
But on local affairs we were broadly
liberal. While insisting on Constl-
tnt;on that would make 10 discrlml2a-
ton against any class Of citizens. that
it should not be put iu force until rati-
hc3 by o popular vote, end that II
should provide against fraud II elec-
tio2s by the participation Of the ieud-
ing political parties Il their manage
ment. We declared our readluerS 10
co operate with and under the leader.
ship Of the conservative Democrats, II
they woald organize and take the
lead. We hoped in this way to en-
courage them to come out boldly end
assume leadership. This seemed the
only means ander the circumstances OF
preventing the convention from falling
completely under the control Of the
Tiliman faction. But the Conserva-
tives again d;lIy-daliied, we're divided
in counsel and finally did nothing. Tie
result was the Iilimanites were IN tilIl
control and veliave cheating AID fraud
e1grattea in the fundamental law OF
our State. Besides, it is to lie put in
pe,ation without ratification by g
popular vote and the minority IS to be
allowed no part IN the management OF
elections.
The ovsestio1we are now called upon
is Republicans to decide upon Il as to
whether We shall tamely submit to this
gross outrage and Injustice, and, ss we
believe, clear snd pa]pahle violation OF
the CONSTITUTION Of t1e United States,
or shall we resist !: BY every means in
or power.
On this question, the following -es-
lntions, unanimously adopted, ex-
press our views and decision as to-the
State Republican executive committee,
es to what should BE our course in the
emergency forced upon Us.
For the executive committee.
L. D. Melton, Chairman.
C. =. Holmes, Secretary.
Resolved, first, That on oationa!
issues we reaAirm our adherenceto the
national Republican panty as expressed
IN our platform adopted in convention
Feb. S, the last past. that IS to say: .
We are in favor OF moderate anG
Reasonable protection for American
labor and American capital against Inc
cheaper labor and cheaper capital CT
other countries. We are IN favor OF
sound, full value money, whether, of
gold, silver or paper currency, Tor all
classes and conditions OF people, TOR
the bread winner as well as for the
capitalist; for The poor la5orer in his
hut, as we'll as for the millionaire n lis
palace. We are in favor Of govern
ment service based on merit and char
acter and capacity, instead Of on the
corrupt and debas!ng Democratic
Jackson system Of :sto the victor be
long the spoils.'
Resolved, second, That on State is
sues We decline 10 accept as final and
definite the CONSTITUENCIES called
Just completed by the Constitutional
cor7entioc-so-cal -called-herei IN Cclum-
bia, and this sor the following reasons:
We regard it as fraudulent in its orr
gin, in that it was fraudulently "coua.
ted in" with only 3l,402 votes out Of
q voting population in the State Of
over 295, ,0GO according to the United
States census Of 1890; fraudulent in
character, in that it proposes to per-
petuate in the fundamental law OF the
State the system Of cheating and fraud
and discrimination against certain
classes in elections; and fraudulent IN
it's finale in that it proposes TO put this
so-oalled Constitution in operation as
the fundamental law Of the State with
out FIRST submitting it to a popular
vote for ratification. This latter
alone, as has been we'll said by high
authority, 'sis contrary to the spirit Of
American Institutions and hostile to
the true theory Of republican govern
nent." We therefore propose to re-
sist in every proper and legitimate
vav this so-called Constitution, and to
use our utmost efforts before congress
and before the Federal courts, as we'll
as before returning sense OF justice
and fair dealing Of our people. to have
it declared null and void. We do not
propose, however, to carry On this
Struggle for right and justice along
any narrow or factional lines; on tie
contrary, We cordially invite and in
voke the cooperation aud hearty par
ticipation Of ali patriotic and Justice
loving citizens Of our State, without
regard to party or faction. It is a
struggle forced upon Us against our
will by the dominant, arbitrary ard
despotic Tillman faction, and no
choice is left lis but resistance or COW
ardly submission to wrong and the
erossest kind Of injustice.
Resolved, third. That Immediate Or
canization OF all frienIs Of our course
IS imperativelv demanded to effective
" meet the condition confronting Us.
and in order that organization may be
systematic and thorough. & SET Of