The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-13
He Hopes to Save the Ring
by Means Of the Party
Machinery.
Columbia State, Feb I.

Chester6eld-G Redfesra
Clarencou-J T Davis.
Colleton-A E Williams
Edge6eld-R B Watson.
Fa;rdeld-T W Traylor.
Florence-R NJ McCown.
Greenville W Gray.
Horry-J Z. Derham.
Kershaw-T J Kirkland
Lancaster-Ira B Jones.
I.aurens-J L NJ 1rby.
Lexipgtou-C NJ E6rd
Maricn-J D Montgomery.
Marlboro-W D Evaus.
Newberry--J A Sigh.
Ocoree-W J Stribliog.
Orau geburg-O R Lowmau.
Pickrus-T C Robinson.
Richland-Wilie Jones.
Sumser-D + Keels.
Spartau hurg-N l. Burnside.
Uniou-A c Lyles.
The counties of Georgetown, Barn
we'll, Beaufort. Darlington, Hampton,
Oconee, Villa msburg aud York were
90; represented
The work of the commi;tee was all
cut and dried, aod the handiwork of
Irby, Tillmau and Evans was visible
all through the proceedings. The com.
mittee was called together to devise a
plan to defeat the efforts of the Forty
and others to obtain peace and unity
among the white people of the State,
and the plan selected will prove success
full without doubt.
The meeting was opened with a
speech by Senator Irby, who spoke as
follows
..Geotlemen OF the Committee: 1t has
not been customary for the chairman Of
this committee to open its proceedings
with any remarks. but on this occasion
deem i, necessary to have something
TO say 10 brief
,.Iu view of all that has happened in
this State since 1890, it is we'll that we
sbouid take our bearings now and meet
the situation face to face like men.
II cacnos congratulate you on
ori. mt oa;loos for the Democracy You
anc those uhon We represent. are in
no way responsible for this When the
Democratic party came into power in
1876, under a Constitution that was
forced upon the people BY Republican
government. Que Of the first questions
agi,a,ed, the 6rst demand made by the
people was for Constitutional conveD-
sion to frame an organic Law that would
be adapted TO their wants The powers
that controlled between '76 and 80
for reasons satisfactory to themselves,
but unexplained to the people, dallied
With this question aud refused their
reasonable demand Fortunately fer
the State, the people took charge in
1890, and after long and hard strug-
gle. succeeded 10 rafifying the call
made by the Legislature Of 1898. The
Democratic party 0: the State. whom
you and I represent, and | may say
the only Democratic organization in the
State. proposed iu its last convention Of
last September to make it a party
question. The Republicans and lude-
pendents. aided by some loyal Demo-
erats, came very near defeating this
call at the last November election. You
and considered it as our imperative
duty, representing as we do, the will Of
that Democratic convention, to urge
the people to sustain it. After fair
and free election. it was carried by a
short margin. had hoped when this
call uas made and the Legislature had
passed an ac: carrying it out. that its
white enemies, for the good of che State
and white supremacy. would have
grounded their arms and allowed a
peaceful aud harmonious solution OF
.his question; out not so. We are con-
frouted today, first. by Republican
organization, which. outside of few
Congressional districts, has been re-
garded as political corpse, though It's
representatives aud it's black hosts are
now attempting to be marshalled for a
desperate struggle. But for some
,hicgs, which | shall hereafter mention:
.hey coald be easily overcome, for the
rank aud file OF the Republicans 10 this
State are tired Of politics and cannot be
organized 10 such numbers as to threat
the defeat Of this convention and white
supremacy.
Second. there is quasi organization
made u2 under the leadership of the
editor of The State They. calling
,hemselve Democrats, are unwilling and
have been since 1890. to submit to
what majority of the white people de-
mand and are ready oot only to defeat
the call and objects Of this convention,
but to unite 10 an unholy alliance with
the negro leaders, wbom they helped to
overthrow in 1876. lrejoice, however