The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1896-04-22

every citizen of right guaranteed by
tho Federal Constitution. Add to
this q soupd currency, sufficient in
volume to- meet tho demand of trade.
There are thousands Of white mon in
this State, not now in the Republican
party, who are willing to stand upon
this platform. We are willing 10
stand upon il. We need the help Of
these white men. There is one thing
in the way of our getting that help, a
fear of negro domination. They need
not fear it for the negro is willing, if
the whites will adopt proper plat
form OF principle, put out ticket of
their very best mon, pledged to reform
this government, to support the ticket
80 put out. Our Republican brothers
in Beaufort and Georgetown have car
ried this out since 1865. Only once
did they fail. That is when Ben
Tillman went down there and fooled
them out of it. Great and long con.
tinued cheers)
IT this is done, if the white man ac-
cepts this in good faith, the State will
be redeemed and peace, prosperity and
happiness will sweep over this land !.
All that yor would claim would, -
the national Republican ticket and the
members Of congress-. Now, this is a
! fair proposition, on your part ard if
you make ii believe that 1t will ba
accepted in good faith. If it should
not then W. must put out a ticket from
governor to coroner.
! have given you my views upon
the situation. Take them for what
they are WORTH, accept them if you
think them good, reject them if they
40 not meet your views.
| Clarence Holmes was made perma-
nent secretary and j. M. Johnston as
sistant secretary.
Tending the report of the committee
on platform, the convention took a re-
cess for one hour. On reconvening,
the following platform was presented
| by the committees:
We, the Republicans of South Csro
Ina, n convention assesshisfta. q ..iYYasf
firm our adherence to the dime. honor.
ed principles of the national party,
that is to say: a5@ s. n.
First I've are in favor Of moderate
and reasonable protection for home
labor and homo capital against the
cheaper labor and cheaper capital Of
other countries, and of such reciprocal
commercial arrangements with other
countries as may be necessary to fos-
ter and extend our foreign trade.
Second-W are in favor Of main
tanning the present monetary standard
until some satisfactory ratio between
the hard money metals shall have been
reached by International agreement
Third We are in favor of a gov
erment service based on merit and
character and capacity, and not on
tho corrupt and debasing Jacksonian
system of ITO the vlctors belong the
spoils." But while as Republicans we
heartily endorse the above principles
as highly important from nation
al point of view, what is of vastly
more Importance to US, and to all good
citizens here in South Carolina, is to
secure fair and honest elections, and
to get rid of our present arbitrary and
despotic factional State government
with all its accompanying evils. We
therefore reaffirm our purpose TO use
every proper and legitimate means
to have our new Constitution set aside
as in conflict with the Constitution
and laws of the United States. We
admit that it has certain good points
in it, notably its improved education
al facilities and its provision against
llynching. But it is tainted with fraud
in its origin; fraudulent in its char
acter, and fraudulent in that it was
foisted upon the State without ratiflca-
ton by popular vote. We therefore
hold that neither congress nor the fed
eral courts ought to recognize validi-
ty. We also declare our most emphat-
ic opposition to the entire brood Of in
iquities imposed on tho State by the
dominant faction, and pledge the Re.
publican party to remove them as
rapidly as possible if put in position
to DO so. We are opposed to the me-
tropolitan police in Charleston or else
where, and we pledge its immediate
suspension if given the necessary au-
thority. Weare opposed to the State
constabularry and pledge it's promt dis.
solution. We are opposed to the dis
pensary law, and pledge it's prompt
repeal or fundamental modification so
as to remove stigma of State traffic
In whiskey for the sake of profit. We
are opposed to an incumbent, partisan
and factional judiciary, and pledge its
restoration to responsibility, capacity
and non partisan as rapidly as posi-
bic. We are opposed to the degreda-
ton of our higher institutions Of learn.
Ing. to mere political ends, and pledge
their restoration to their proper and
legitimate duties. We are opposed to
discrimination against any class on &C
count of its religious beliefs. These
we do not regard as partisan questions
at all, but simply questions of good
government HI
We, therefore, not only cordially
invite. but appeal to all good citizens,
to whatever party or faction belong
ing, Democrats as we'll as Republicans,
Reformers as we'll as Conservatives,
to unite with us in securing the over
throw Of these and all othor iniquities,
and in the restoration Of peace and
harmony and good government in our
State. i
The platform adopted with but two
or three dissenters.
This resolution was offered:
| Resolved: That either of the four
candidates, Reed, Morton. Mckinley
or Allison, will be acceptable to the
Republicans of South Carolina.
A. E. Smith made vigorous pro
test against this, and offered su6sti
tute endorsing Mckinley and instruct
ing the delegation for him.
Whipper made an eloquent appeal
against the delegation being sent to
st. Louis handcufed.
Smith again supported Mckinley in
a lOnv Snaech aftar which his s,,hoti