Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-19
? last, and formed new organization Of
, which Melton was elected chairman.

which Melton was elected chairman.
Continued the speaker:
The only charge that they can make
against us-they will say to you when
they come, and they are coming, that we
are trying to form white Republican
party in South Carolina and leave the
colored man out. My friends, say to
you that have got as much right to be a
Republican as you have. (Cheers.] And
you have as much right to he Republi-
can as I have. The Republican party is
not a party of race or color, or section. 1t
is a party of principles [Cheers. 1.-THE
grandest principles that have ever under
principles, I tell you, that reflect undying
honor upon the patriotic citizens by
whom they are upheld. Voice: Yes i;
yes listen at him.
Lilly white! Leave the colored man out
| OF the convention at which our organiza-
ton was perfected, prominent colored
man said to me that II was composed Of
the most representative Republicans in
the State. It was one Of the finest bodies
Listen at that.] Lilly white! In that
convention there were 25 white men. Yes,
25 white men, and 100 colored men.
| [Cheers.l I was elected chairman. We
elected colored man as secretary. Then
we went to work to select an executive
committee. We chose white men. Good
start for lilly white organization, wasn't
lit? Voices: That's all right. We's
willing.] And we elected 20 colored men.
Enthusiastic cheers.1 Next we had to
appoint 36 county chairmen. Three OF
colored men. [Cheers. No my friends,
in answer to the charge that we are trying
to effect lilly white organization and
leave the colored man out, it is necessary
to utter only one word (; but won't say
it. You know what that word is. Voice :
We know.]
Now, friends, are we to sleep forever just
because these men won't act? Voices :
No, mol Are we to rise up in our might
and be once again men in South Carolina?
Yes, yes].
The speaker next went into an explain
alton of his plan of organization. He con-
demned the old precinct system. This
plan he said is not representative enough.
The precinct chairmen have too much
power. They can call into their meetings,
only such men as they know to be favor
able to their schemes, and the result Is
the most fragrant boss rule. 1t is often
the case that the first thing that the rank
and file of the party knows of State con-
|vention, is after the convention has been
held and they are committed to its action.
He proposed to adopt the club system.
Any Republican who desires to do so,
has the right to organize club. There Is
no limit to the number of clubs that can
be Organized. When it is desired to call
State convention, the State chairman
notifies the county chairmen, the county
chairmen notify the club presidents, the
club presidents notify the members, cleo
tions for delegates are held, and thus is
secured representative county conyen-
ton without any bossism. The whites
elso have the right to organize clubs.
Turning to White, the speaker asked ;;
"Dr. White, suppose should come and
tell you that wanted to join your church,
what would you say ?" White appeared
to hesitate for an instant, and replied
"I'd tell you that the white folks have
churches you 20 and join them." From
this the speaker went on to argue that
through the club system the whites and
colored Republicans could work to the
same end without any conflict, just as
the white and colored church people OF
the same denominationswor
Continuing, the speaker said that, so
far, Is white clubs had been organized in
the State and over 300 colored clubs had
been organized. 1t is very desirable, he
said, to have white men with us. He was
reminded Of the practice Of the Yankees
curing Tue WAL Iuoy pun eho SotCASN
troops in front to catch the bullets. 1t Is
now the turn Of the colored people. This
fight is not an easy one. Somebody has
to go in front to bear the brunt OF the
battle. The colored man should be glad
that white men are willing to do it. One
hundred white men have joined Repub-
lican club in Columbia, and 900 have en-
rolled their names in Charleston. The
more white clubs we have, the easier it is
TO secure for the colored man the right TO
deposit his ballot and have it counted,
and the more certain is he OF finally get
ting justice before the law.
AS for myself, said the speaker, am
out to win. II is not exactly pleasant
duty. 1t takes up my time and, perhaps,
right smart of my money. But think l
have some patriotism, and it may be that
I could exercise that patriotism to greater
advantage to the people if I were in con-
gress. However, don't let your thoughts
be taken up entirely with the proposition
as to whether am to be State chairman
or Mr.. Webster is State chairman. That
does not concern you nearly so much as
the organization of these clubs, which will
put you in a position to exercise your
right of franchise. First, organize the
clubs and then go and register. Go to the
registration Office and stand there until
your feet grow into the ground, or until
you get ticket, and then, whether Mr..
Webster is chairman or am chairman,
you will be in position to exercise your
rights as citizens. Cheers and voices:
That is what we will do.
The next speaker was G. P. L. White.
White is a coal black Negro, about 80
years of age, and as stump speaker, is
undoubtedly in his element. He spoke
for perhaps half an hour. He provoked
laughter at the outset with the facetious
claim that he was white man, and
throughout his remarks kept his audience
laughing, applauding or approving his
statements. He did not hesitate to use
the word "nigger" whenever he saw fit;
but his use Of it did not seem to give Of
fense. He said that the white man could
not do without the nigger any more than
the nigger could do without the white
man. The niggers had raised all the white
men who amounted to anything, he said,
and these white men helped the niggers to
get along. Neither one wants to get along
without the other. This country is ours.
We are going to stay together and that is
all there is about it, They talk about Ne
gro rule in this State. There never has
been any Negro rule in this State. 1t has
been white mans rule all the time. The
Negroes have always put up with any
thing that the white man could put