The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-15
IRBY INTERVIEWED.
STRONG TALK FROM THE STATE
DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN.

He Is Unalterably Opposed'to Boltlhg-ho
Believes the Silver People, If they Stick
Together, Can Control the Chicago Con-
vention.
COLUMBIA, April 6.-United States
Senator Irby arrived in the city this
afternoon, preliminary to the meetinS
of the executive committee. When
asked what he had to say about the
meeting, he replied that its purposes
were indicated in the call.
Along what lines is the party to be
reorganized2" I asked.
"The construction of the party ex-
pressly states who shall participate IN
primary elections, namely, known
Democrats and negroes who have
voted the Democratic ticket continu-
ously since 1876. The executive com.
mittee supplemented this part of the
Constitution for the election in 1894,
opening the doors and allowing even
Republicans and Populists to partici-
pate IN the primary election who
would agree to abide the result OF the
primary and support its nominees &C.
lively. Anyone can see that in the
reorganization of the party on certain
fixed principles the doors must be more
carefully watched than in a primary
election. In other words, in the Or
ganization Democrats and Democrats
alone should participate. In confer
ences. and councils on party policy
none but the true and tried should be
allowed to enter. While there might
be some excuse in primary elections to
gain all recruits from other parties
possible, I do not hesitate to say that
none but Democrats who are willing
to give and take, and to abide the re-
suit and sustain the nominees, should
participate in the organization or reor-
ganization at this time. do not want
TO be misunderstood, for I never in
tended or attempted to deceive the peo-
pie of the State since have been
chairman of the party, as winklng at a
mongrel organization. The white peo-
pie, know, are Democrats by inheri.
lance, and have entrusted the colols of
the party into the committees hands
as its guardian and trustee. 1t is
treachery outright, barefaced, to talk
of State Democracy and a national
Populism. We must 60 the whole hog
or none at all. As chairman OF the
State I recognize the authority of
National Chairman Harriry, and am
acting under him as such. I propose
to fignt any party whatever, Populist
or Republican, as an enemy to the
Democratic party of this State and the
Uniled States. would not like to be
misunderstood, though I believe every
body understands that I favor free
silver, but believe, and have always
believed, that no relief can come in
this direction except through the
Democratic party. =,
A bolt or split means ruin to the
South. If we repeat the mistake of
1860 it will 1asten upon us the Repub-
lican party for probably fifty years,
because if we can scarcely win with a
solid Democratic frcnt, how can we
hope to Withstand the cyclone of Re-
publicanism that would follow a divis'
ion into two. It looks now as if Nc
Kinley will sweep the National Repub-
lican convention in st. Louis. If
Southern farmers leave the party OF
their fathers the gold bugs of the
West, Northwest and New England
States will naturally gather to the sup.
port of the Republican candidate and
Overwhelming triumph will result for
Mckinley and a Waterloo for the
Democratic party. This would mean
in addition to the election of a Presl,
dent, Republican House. They will
soon have the Senate, then would fol-
low high tariff, and high money, or
in other words, high hats or clothes or
shoes, and low cotton for the Southern
farmer we, stay in the party and
are defeated for President by McKin.
ley, we may carry the next House,
which would be a check upon the elec:
ton of Mckinley, who is the logical
candidate of the Republicans. and is
bound to be the nominee unless the
Republican champion of protection in
this country be repudiated. II the
Southern farmer remains steadfast and
sends his representatives to Chicago
instructed in favor of free silver.
II believe now, and have always
believed we will be able to control the
convention, as far as the majority is
concerned, and force free silver plat
form and prevent a nomination of a
gold bug, under the two.thirds rule.
1 adhere to the position taken some
time ago, that this States Democracy
should send delegates instructed for
free silver, who will meet the breth.
rem of other States upon equal and
honorable terms and do the best that
can be done in the present emergency.
If they win, they will expect the oppo
sition to act as Democrats, if they lose,
they should not do less than they ex'
pect of others.
"What is your impression of the
feeling auong the peoplea"
"There can be but one answer to
this question. The people both Con-
servatives and Reformers are not dis
posed to hold the principles OF the
Democratic party responsible for any
misinterpretation or betrayal, If may
be allowed to use so harsh word as
that of the platform of 1892, by men,
who have been expected to carry it
out. The principles are the same, and
if the leaders have failed in the dis
charge of their duties, it is the part of
wisdom to discard them and name
others, who will carry out the princi-
ples of the party.