The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-02-13
GENERAL PRIMARY ORDERED.
Senator Irby Makes a Speech to his
Committee.

COLUMBIA, February 5.-The Dem
ocratic Executive Committee met here
tonight and referred all Of it's work to
special sub-committees The meeting
was we'll attended, the following mem
bers being present: J. Y. Jones, ".
NJ. Jordan, J. P. Glenn, R. Fl. Swee-
ney, P. H. Gadsden, T. j. Cunning
ham, M. F. Jackson, j. T. Davis, A.
E. Williams, R. B. Watson, 7. ".
Taylor, R. M. MoCown, j. W. Gray,
J. P. Derham, j. Gentry, 7 j. Kirk
land, Ira B. Jones, J, L. NJ. Irby, G.
NJ: Efrd, J.D. Montgomery, W. D.
Evans, J. A. Sligh, O. R. Lowman,
T. G. Robinson, Willie Jones, D. E.
Keels, N. L. Burnside, A. G. Lyles,
NJ. L. Donaldson, Secretary D. FL.
Tompkins.
As soon as the roll was called Chair
man Irby arose and said:
Gentlemen Of the Committee: 1t
has been customary for the chairman
of this committee to be compelled to
open it's proceedings without any re-
marks, but on this occasion I deem it
necessary to have something to say in
brief. In view of all that has hap
pened in this State since 1890 it is
we'll that we should take our bearings
now and meet the situation face to
face like men. I cannot congratulate
you on bright outlook for the Democ-
racy. You and those whom we repre-
sent are in no way responsible for this.
When the Democratic party came into
power in 1876, under Constitution
that was forced upon the people by
Republican Government, one Of the
first questions advocated, the first
demand made by the people, was for a
Constitutional Convention to frame an
organic law that would be adapted to
their wants. The powers that con-
trolled between '76and go, for reasons
satisfactory to themselves, but unex-
planned to the people, dallied with this
question and refused their reasonable
demands.
Fortunately for the State the people
took charge in 1890, and after long
and hard struggle succeeded in ratify-
ing the call made by the Legislature
of 1893. Yhe Democratic party Of the
State, whom you and I represent, and
I may say the only Democratic organi-
cation in the State, proposed in its
Convention of last September to make
it party question. The Republicans
and Independents, aided by some loyal
Democrats, came very near defeating
this call at the November election.
You and considered it as our impera
tive duty, representing as we did the
will Of that Convention, to urge the
people to sustain it. After fair and
free election it was carried by short
margin.
had hoped when this call was
made and the Legislature had passed
an Act carrying it out that it's white
enemies, for the good of the State and
white supremacy, would have ground
ed their arms and allowed a peaceful
and harmonious solution of this ques-
tion. But not so, we are confronted
to-day first by Republican organiza-
tion, which, outside ora few Congress
sional districts, has been regarded as
political corpse, through its repre-
sentatives, and its black hosts are now
attempted to be marshalled for des-
perate struggle. But for some things,
which I shall hereafter mention, it
could be easily overcome, for the rank
and file of the Republicans in this
State are tired of politics and cannot
be organized in sub. numbers as to
threaten this Convention and white
supremacy.
Second. There is quasi organiza-
tion made up under the leadership of
the State. They, calling themselves
Democrats, are unwilling, and have
been since 1890, to submit to what
majority of the white people demand,
and are ready, not only to defeat the
call and objects Of this Convention
but to unite in an unholy alliance with
the negro leaders whom they helped
to overthrow in 1876. I rejoice, how
ever, that this number is small and
cannot assume dangerous proportions.
There is still another element-that
is the more conservative of this Con-
servative (so-called) element-who are
unwilling to unite with the negro, but
who are unfriendly to the present Ad-
ministration and it's officers.
There is still another that belongs
to what is known as the Reform party,
most, if not all, of whom were opposed
to the election of Governor Evans.
Lastly, there is the Reform move
ment, upon whom, thank God, this
committee, with all it's scattered for
>ces, if necessary to maintain white
supremacy, can rally and rely, and
even with the great detection among
the white people can defeat tie Re-
publicans and save the Convention.
It is our duty, and the white people Of
the State expect us to peform 1t, to
see that Republicans are defeated for
delegates to this Convantion. There