The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-03-13

greatly SURPRISED AT senator troy as we ltlL
him apprently in full accord with Senator
Tillman and myself. / can't imagine what
has come over the spirit OF his dream, and
feel satisfied that he is resting under some
misrepresentation OF facts. \ public man is
compelled TO lend an ear TO all designing
lagos as we'll as the true patriot. The func-
tiOn OF good Judgment Is to slft the true from
the false and act accordingly. We arc con-
lronted in South Carolina by a condition that
could have been prevented If wise counsel
had been needed fifteen years ago, but 1t was
not done and we must meet 1t to-day like
men and patriots and stand aside the design.
ing politicians. A Constitutional Convention
called in 1873 would have settled our affairs
Tor fifty years. We were then unit, To-day
we are divided and Constitution must be
framed for white men to live under for posi-
words of Calhoun, can live that does not
spring from the hearts of the people. 1t Is
then essential In order 10 secure fundamen-
tai law satisfactory Tor all interests and all
It's fOrmatIon.'
"How Is this to be accomplished; by Bit
ter iactional fight, appeals TO negroes and po-
litical diSSenSiOns?"
"Certainly not The only way Is first to get
our entire people into white mans primary
and pledge them to abide the result. This
has been and will continue TO be the only sal
vation OF white supremacy until the new
Constitution Is framed. The next thing is to
secure unity of mind among delegates and as
TO the matters that should he Incorporated in
there should be no friction whatever as to the
election of delegates, and no distinction
should be made as to facliona differences. AS
TO the matter OF confidence in the Conserva-
tives we have always realized that this Is th e
stumbling block In the way Of unity. Our
people vesy properly dlstrnst a certain ele-
ment i'm the Conservative ranks who have
heretofore gone TO the negro, and they should
be kept there; once Niger always Niger IL
the only way we can preserve our institutions.
Such men should not be and viii not be al
lowed to come TO the Convention. There are
men, however, who can and should be trust
cd us delegates from the Conservatives and
who arc willing and solemnly pledge them
selves to what we desire put In the COnstitu-
ilon. When this Is done can we ask for more?
They have been tied 10 political corpse and
they are crying who shall deliver US from the
body Of this death. and we should not be deaf
to their appeals. These men must go before
the people like the rest of us hnd advocate
the demands Of the people before the prima-
reS, and If the people see ht they will elect
them, IL not they will stay at home and ac-
Cept the results.
"All this talk about Senator Tillman and
myself agreeing to divide delegations Is made
upon a MISUNDERSTANDING Ing of The facts The
con nterrnce was bound To nothing except as
indi yidual Democrats and not as lteiormers
or Conservatives. We distinctly had II under
stood that nothing but our Individual opin-
ions were expressed and we would endeavor
as Democrats to go before the people In the
primary election and advocate nOn-partisan
Convention. We do not critlclse others Tor
having different views, IL is human. But al
ter all, the people arc the Judges and they Will
be governed by what they believe To he right
and proper for their own protection. Conren-
tious and caucuses in Co uubla of disgrunt.
led politicians aud wOuld-be leaders, who are
attefn pt Ing to hO0dwink the people under the
guise of patriotism and peace will be repudi-
ated az presumptuous demagogues. No con-
vention can frame policy for the various
counties OF the State. What Is best In Char
lesion may not be best In Aiken, and the only
lic, flNt iS In lalf
county act for Itself and let those who really
want Il Convention Of patriotic citizens take
the stump in their respective counties and
work for this result. ANY effort TO forestalI
the people by Convention Will be promptly
repealed, you may rest assured"
"Have you any objections TO letting the peo.
ple know exactly what was done at the con-
ference with Senator rilman and YOURSELF"
have been questioned. Neither Senator Till
man nor myself, nor any Others OF the con-
terence. will recede from what we believe to
be best for our people. Here Is the agreement: |:
".Columbia, Feb. Is. 1895.
ave, the undersigned, citizens Of South
Carolina, desiring restoration OF peace and
harmony, and to prevent bitter factional
fight for control Of the Constitutional Con-
vention, with its Inevitable appeal TO the ne-
gro, after a careful consideration OF the condi-
tions and conflicting interests OF all our peo-
pie, bind ourselves 10 advocate before the
white Democrats Of the State the following
scheme:
".First. That each county, acting for itself
AS 10 the question Of elecLtng by primary or
otherwise, as deemed best by the county
Democratic executive committee, shall as
near as possible give each faction equal repre-
sentation in the whole Convention.
"'Second. That the managers and clerk OF
such primary election be equally divided he
tween the factions, and that all persons parti-
cipating in the same take pledge to abide
the result and support the nominees Of the
general election. Or. where the nomination
is made otherwise than by the primary, both
factions In such county are pledged In lik q
manner to support such nominees.
""rhlru. That II Is understood that the fol
lowing principles or basic conditions shall
govern the election of delegates, TO which
both sides are pledged:
"(a) No white man TO be disfranchised en-
cept for crime.
.'tb) Such qualification of the suffrage as
will guarantee white supremacy.
"Ic) a Constitution of principles and not
dealing with legislation, but leaving To the
Legislature ful! control OF the free schools
aud requiring the Legislature To llberally sup
port them.
"'(d) The Constitution when adopted not TO
be submitted back to the people.
".B. II. yillman, Joseph W. Barnwell, John
T. Sloan, lr..,J. {. tIemphill, George :. Now
er, J Joiin Gary Evans Ira B. Jones, W. {. Me-
Gowan, &. NJ. Etird, Altamont Moses
81 will say, however, that we had not In
tended publishing this without consent OF al
am sure there will be no objection. us our EN-
emies have stated that there was more be-
hind. This Is all
What plan do you propose for qualification
of suffrage
The Mississippi plan or something better,
and am opposed 10 any delegate who Will
not pledge himself To vote tor the Mississippi
plan In case no better IL offered the people,
We might as well be frank and speak out To
The people Tor ii must come sooner or later.
This plan can be SO modified as to save every
white man and at the same time preserve
white supremacy.'
What were your impressions as TO national
politics ,"
We'll, I am satisfied that the next Vice
President will come from the South. no mat
ter what party is successful. The fight IN '!G
will he between gold and silver, aud gtHI-
graphical lines will govern instead of party
lines The South and West VIII inevitably
come together and fight for tree silver Or they
are doomed
.Wh0 was spoken OF most prominently TO
lead the combination
"SrnntDr Tillman, and II he were not from
the South and from the Slate which led ScceS-
sion he would certainly be selected. | am
lliSfird when the revolt comes he will he the
central figure. | would talk to you and open
your eyes on this subject, bu; must go IN
other business"
NTGE WORK,