The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-04-16
South Carolina, and therefore possesses
no original powers be il

"
belong appropriately to the Democratic
State convention.
That 1T Is furthermore tho opinion
of this COmmittce that it is unwise
even to discuss all such issues and
questions since il would be an effort to
iorestall the action OF the sovereignty
Of the people.
And furthermore that the only duty
this executive committee can properly
perform is to direct tue reorganization
OF the lOc.,, Democratic clubs and the
holding of county conventions and that
OF tho State conventions.
Mr.. Sigh made long speech claim
ing the committee had no authority to
do anything. He spoke at great
length, hut stuck - that ono point.
Genral Gray, Of Greenvillc, offered
the following resolution as u substi-
tutc:
Whereas an issue has been raised
questioning the loyalty Of the Demo
cracy Of South Cai oinu to the national
Democratic party, and whereas q sug-
gcsLiOn has been made that the dole
gates to tho National Democratic Con-
vcntion from this State should bolt the
National Democratic Convention on
certain contingencies and whereas
the State Executive Committee con-
part Of the Democracy Of South Caro-
lima to sever its connection with the
national Democracy now, therefore,
DO it resolved that it is the sense OF
this committee that no person shall be
eligible to membership in the Demo
cratic clubs who is not q qualified voter
at the primaries OF the party as pro-
vided by the constitution OF the party
and will not pledge himself to support
the nominees Of the State and national
Democracy.
General Gray commenced by show
ing the fallacy of the premises assum-
cd by Mr.. Sligh. He said an issue
had been made by the letter OF Senator
Of this committee had wisely and pa
trioticaliy called the committee TO-
gcther 10 consider tho issue raised by
MIR. Tiliman. The committee could
well afford to ignore the issue madC by
private parties, but having been made
by public official, one OF the acknOWl-
edged leaders, If not the most inlluen-
taI, Of tho Democratic party in this
State. The eyes Of the Democracy all
over the United States are watching
the action OF this committee, who are
the trustees and guardians Of the De-
mOcratic party in this State and as
such 1t became necessary for them to
act in such manner as to confirm in
the minds Of all men our loyalty to the
Democratic party. If u bolt was
threatened, the Conservatives would
organize what would be the true Dem
cratic organization Of the State and
the delegates sent Ivy them would be
seated by the national convention.
Capt. Blnc kwell, who was substi-
tute for Senator Williams, Of Will
iiamsburg, made Il short speech saying
that the people wouldn't vote for any
gOldbugs.
Senator lrby then took the floor and
made one Of the greatest speeches Of
his lie. He talked clearly and vigOr-
ously and defined Democratic duty SO
plainly that no one could mistake it.
He said
| deny that the member from New
berry is correct in bis assertion that
we have no duties or powers. We are
tho guardians or trustees OF the whole
Democracy OF the State we are the
doOrkecpers of the Democratic party.
The constitution requires password ;
the people expect that password to be
given before any man, white or black,
shall enter the conferences, councils
Or organization of the party. We
might as we'll meet the issue face to
face. 1t is a plain one. 1t is not be-
tween the Democracy and its old
enemy, the Republican party, but be-
tWecon the Democracy and POpulism.
We must either be Democrats or de-
scrtcrs--nOt boilers, because nothing
has bccn done to justify Il bolt. We
should see that no man shall partici
pate in the selection OF delegates from
the clubs who is not Il SinOn-pure,
genuine Democrat. Are you men the
representatives Of the party that stood
by the people since 10 from political
cowardicc going to allow Populists TO
shape the policy and name the nomi-
nces OF the party? admit that the
outlook lor'succesS is'nOt promising, but
are we going to throw down our guns
and refuse to fight for our principles
What would the people havo thought
OF you Ole soldiers after the battle Of
Getty had you cried out: 1--WE
can't win the cause of the Confcder-
acy and won't fight any moro !" You
would have been deserters, and you
are dcserters now to tho Democratic
party if you refuse to defend her
against her enemies within and with
out the party-Populists, Republicans
or Third Partyitcs. We may not win,
but if VIC lose, | shall go down with
the cOlors Of this State in my hand.
Ii you refuse to do your duty and bind
our voters to abide the result and
divide the white people of the State,
You alone must be responsible. | have
warned you, whether you heed it or
not. lnactiOD means destruction to
the organization Of the State. If we
refuse to discipline and organize as
the people expect Ms, the Conservatives
will organize on what they deem
Democratic lines. In '02. when you
hoped to control tho May convention
and the primaries and to prevent the
Conservatives from boiling, this exc
ruJiyc committee, many OF whom arc
now mem ocrs, passed the following
rule:
"Thc applicant for membership, or
voter. shall be tw lnty-0nc years Of age
and be a " hitc Democrat, or 81 negro
who voted for General Hampton in
'7G. Every member OF a subordinate
club or voter in a Democratic primary
shall pledge himself to abide tho re-
suit OF the primary and support the
nominees OF the party
You were not satisfied with this
iron-clad pledge. You didn't believe
that the Conservatives would tell tho
truth. You wcro wiling to further
| humi iatc tho Uhitc rIpctOr (OnScrVa-