The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-22
THE "LlLLY WHITES"
THE MElTOk.BRAYTON REPUBll'
CANS IN CONVENTION.

CANS IN CONVENTION.
Full Representation from all Counties, r"
fnsed to Endorse a Presidential Candi'
date-Tuo White and Two Colored Dele
gates to st. Louis.
COLUMBIA, April Is. 5.-Leaders claim
that for the first time in many years
the convention of Republicans that
met in the State house yesterday was
a full repre- sentation, with every to"9-
shin and every precinct represented;;
Il was the first State convention feld
by the wing of the Republican party
which recognizes Capt. L. D. Melton
of Columbia as the State chairman.
and which is generally known as the
"Iilly Whites, being the faction to
which MANY white men, who have
heretofore been recognized as Demo
Gratis, have cast their lot. In the con-
yention, of about 240 delegates, there
we're between 60 and 70 white men,
but these, with few exceptions, were
not recognized as prominent IN poll
tics. The white meu present VINO
have for some time taken prominent
part in the affairs of the Republican
party in this State, were Eilery N;
Brayton, Lawson D. Melton, 3 Odeil
Duncan, V. T. Clayton, r.. M; wal
lace. Louis Jacobs and w. w. Rus'
sell but conspicuous among those
new and prominent men who nave
ioined the party recently were Dr.
SAMPSON Pope of Newberry and u. j..
Knots of Lexington: OLD Reiormers'
and Clarence s. Nettles of Darlington
a Conservative in days gone by.
There was a strong negro representa-
tion.
When the convention was called to
order large lithograph of Tom Reed
adorned the rostrum, just behind tne
reporters table; but later, not to De
partial, likenesses of Morton and NC
Kinley were tackled up by Brayton.
DURING the day there was large
crowd of spectators on the floor and
in the gallery, and among them were
many handsomely dressed colored
women. relatives and friends of dele
oates. AT 1:20 p. m. State Chairman
Melton called the convention to order
and asked the Rev. W. NJ: Thomas, a
colored preacher, to open the proceed,
ings with prayer. The divine asked
that all distractions be removed from
the path of the delegates, and that
what they did should be for the good
of the State.
Mr.. Melton addressed the conven-
ton as follows: -.
Friends and Fellow-Republicans:
In opening the convention as your
State chairman, it behooves me to
make a few brief remarks as to the
purpose for which this convention
was called, the circumstances under
which it arose and its final object
which is the building up OF the re-
publican party in South Carolina. In
the fall of 1894 an issue was presented
to the people of South Carolina, which
threatened the disfranchisement OF
more than one.half the Republican
voters of the State, and finding noth-
ing being done to frustrate sucn an
attempt against the liberties OF lne
people. we determined to do some.
thing to stem the tide of a calamity
which threatened the rights of the cltl-
zens. We earnestly went to work 70
try and persuade the old committee to
take the lead and prevent this calam'
ity. But for reasons not necessary TO
state here, that committee refused to
call the people of South Carolina to
eether to attempt to avert that mis-
fortune. After that there was nota-
ing for us but revolution and we de
termined to appeal to the people OF
South Carolina to rise up from their
sleep and save their rights. On the
9Th day of February, 1895, conVen'
ton of representative men was held.
Out of that convention has grown
what will be recognized as the Repub
lican party of South Carolina. The
result is this convention here assem-
bled. and better one the God OF re-
publics never looked down upon IN
this country. 1t has not been filled oy
going into the highways and byways
for delegates, as our friends the enc
nv did last week, but here every pre-
cinct in South Carolina is represented
(Cheers.) This organization reminds
me of the story of the wonderful Isle
where the little infant of today is a
grown man tomorrow. 1t recognizes
no obstacles and is going to succeed.
(Cheers.) In the near future its voice
will be heard in the legislative halls
of South Carolina, and it is going
with such a sweep that Tillman, with
all his power, can't keep down. TO
back to your homes, stand shoulder to
shoulder: the white people are with
you; do your duty; 60 and try and
register and stand there all summer.
When you get the certificate even the
Constitution of South Carolina can't
prevent you casting vote. CHEERS.
At the close of Mr.. Melton's speech,
the call for the convention was read.
Chairman Melton announced that
the executive committee had suggested
as temporary chairman Clarence S.
Nettles of Clarendon, and Clarence
Holmes of Columbia as temporary
secretary. The convention was evil
dently heartily in favor of the selec,
ton of Mr.. Nettles, his name being
greeted with applause.
On motion of Prof. Morris. COM
mittee was appointed to conduct Mr..
Nettles to the rostrum.
On this committee Mr.. Melton ap-
pointed Prof. J. w. Morris, Mr.. E. NJ.
Brayton and Congressman Murray.
Mr.. Nettles, on taking the gavel,