The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-09-09
Iu the Light Of Reason.
IF Tillman's Views are Sound.
Then the Primary Sys-
tenn is q Farce.
People Want Far Play.

election for the United States senate,
has issued the following 6ual address to
the voters of the State, which bears
upon Senator Tillman's recent mani
festo:
Greenville, s. G. Sept. 4, 1896.
To the Democratic voters OF South Car
oliua.
To accordance with the rules of the
party, have had the honor Of appear
ing before you on the hustings 10 sup
port Of my candidacy. | did not pro-
pose to have anything further to say,
but had determined to await the YER
dict to be rendered by our people at the
primary elections. The entry Of Sena-
tor Tillmap, however. into the fight as
the champion of my antagonist compels
me reluctantly to address you in reply
to bis letter.
am surprised that the senator should
have so far forgotten the principles
which he SO ably advocated as to come
home from Washington to influence the
Reform ers in their choice Of Uolted
States senator.
You will remember how barshly be
criticized Senator Hampton 10 lo9U,
for what was termed uuWarranted inter
ference in the gubernatorial confess
His contention then was that the people
should be permitted to exercise the
right of suffrage without the d'ctatlon
of any self constituted ruler or master
The primary system of election wss
adopted in order that the people lght
see and hear the candidates. ADD then
express their will at the ballot box
But, if after the people have seen and
heard and have given expression to
their will, high aod aouored oficia'
can intrude his views. so as to change
the judgement which is about to ce
pronounced. then a primary election is
sham and pretense. 1t would have
saved time and trouble, strife and con-
tention, if few friends Of his favorlte
had in the 6rss instance called upon
him to name the standard bearer Of the
party.
To advocating primary elections did
the senator mean to say, 81 am williog
for you to elect the mau Of your choice
without consulting me, provided you
elect my favorite, but if discover you
nrefer another candidate. | will assert
nv power SO as to control your votes?'
It looks so.
But the senator is mistaken. The
people are sovereign and while they
have honored him and would doubtless
honor him agsiU, they will not submit
to his dictatioo.
Again the Reformers Of South Caro-
Ina believee in fair play, and |
would ask the senator if it is fair that
be should now come into the field
against me after the battle has been
fought aud my opponent virtually van
quished Why did he not take the
stump during the canvass s: | would
thea have had the opportunity of show
iug to many who will not see this pa
per how unjust the senator has been 10
his criticisms Of my political course.
l. is true that was compelled to take
the stump in 1890, in defense of the
State administration Of which | was
member. Surely no one condemns me
for that. I. was my privilege to be-
come candidate for the Democratic
nomination ); it was my duty to appear
before the people iu vindictloo of my
administration as their attorney general.
Bat after the convention met aud Capt.
Tillmau vas nominated, it is we'll
knowu that refused to oppose him
After his election as governor | did all
that could as private citizen to hold
up his hands. You will remember my
letter to Tue News and Courier in 1892,
10 which advised my friends and sup
porters to yield to the will of the maj or
isy and give Governor Tillman all due
credit for all that was commendable in
the discharge of the delicate aud import
ant duties OF his Office. This letter re-
suited 10 estranging from me many OF
nv personal aud political friends.
Since that time l have belonged to
neither faction. but have advocated
peace, harmony and the restoration OF
good feeling among ous people.
No one can truthfully say that | have
been unjust to Senator Tillmao. Has
he been unjust to me? Let bis own
conscience answer Permit me to re-
fer to some of bis structures upon my
candidacy. He is mistaken when be
saws that I was Influenced by anything
that occurred at the first campaign meet
ing in deciding to enter the race. Mr..
Dnucan's entry and speech had no et-
sected whatever upon my course, for
while / had been Informed that he had
filed his pledge, know nothing of the
character of his speech.