The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-03-11
Wednesday, March II, 1896.
Is Charleston Too Good to Remain
With the Democrats OF the State:

The white club, which Is called the Pro
gressive Republican Club, has nearly looo
members, and the membership lnciudeS mer-
The club has nicely fitted up suite OF rooms
over ls5 King street. and the leading Norm.
ern and Western papers are Kept on ME. II
Is understood that already campaign meet
- ings have been held, and that the Melton del
egation will be endorsed for the Republican
National Convention. ,r.,
The colored Republican CLUB, Wnlcn Is is really
the larger branch of the two, II Is said has
mem bership Of about ]. 300 voters. This dlVls-
ion OF the party has meeting places IN various
parts of the city, but the general headquarters
are the rooms at lS5 King street. 10000
All persons joining these clubs are assured
protection-thati is they understand that theiT
connection with the Republican parry WIZ sba
not be made known TO outsiders. ana SO Tue
great majority Of members Of the ProgtessisSs
Republican Club are not known. A gooo
, many of them. however; amohg gn'nrrats5 env
make no secret OF the fact that they VIII so.s
the Republican ticket this fall.-Ne"s "nu
Courier.
From the above and olher publications, II
would seem that the Charleston people VINO
hate the Reform party and love the open bars
are about to leave the Democratic party.
If we might be allowed to ask the question,
we would like to ask If the Thousand men,
bers including merchants, property
holders and business men," are the same
"business men. bankers and merchants" that
made such street demonstration year or
two ago, when the State Constables prepared
to make Charleston's foreigners obey the
whiskey law of the State?
The Charleston people are first class people,
cultured. refined. gentlemanly, and in all bus
mess transactions fully up to the highest
standard, but they seem to have the greatest
contempt for country people, and possess in
the highest degree the art of antagoniztng
their brethren in the rural districts.
In our humble judgment, we do not believe
the best people of Charleston have any idea
of going into the Republican party. If they
have made the threat to do so, then we think
IL we'll that we know the fact. II they prefer
to align themselves with the negroes than
with their white brethren of the State, then
they have perfect right to choose their own
company.
Imagine, If you can such a monstrous prop
osition of any considerable number of "mer-
chants, bankers and business men" of the
city OF Charleston turning their backs on the
Democratic party because they do not like the
liquor law, or perhaps because there is pos
slbility Of the Reformers gaining the offices OF
Charleston. Perish the thought.
join the Republican clubs Is only sort Of
bluffing or bull-dozlng scheme. II SO, 1t will
utterly fail of It's purpose. The country peo-
pie will stand to the dispensary law. 1t has
proved itself to be the best liquor law that we
have ever had, and the country people will
support 1t even though Charleston should act
ually go into the Republican party, and
choose negroes for office
1t will be remembered that Charleston was
10th to support Hampton instead Of Cham.
berlain in 1876.
The political revolution is, or will be COM
plete, and 1t would be wisdom on the part OF
the city of Charleston to accept the inevita-
BILE. If she were go TO war she could not re-
establish her bar-rooms. If she aligns her
self with the negroes and affiiates with the
Republican party she will place herself In an
unenviable light before the country.
Let US all be as one people. Let Charleston
talk less Of hostility to the laws Of the coun-
try. If the laws are bad, and If the officers
are bad, then let US all unite in a friendly and
patriotic effort to put better men in office, and
then seek to amend all bad laws.