The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-02-05
Editor Daily Item +:

Editor DAILY Item:
In your issue of the % inst. you express
yourself somewhat surprised at the position
of Democrat of 1876 Were you no, more
surprised by the action Of the voters of
Kentucky. Maryland and North Carolina
These old Democratic States are now ia our
column, and the very same causes which
carried them there will sooner or .ater land
South Carolina in the same column, pamely:
the utter incapacity of the Democratic party
to manage the affairs Of the government of
the United States of America to the satisfac-
ton Of the business men. Certainly the
voters of North Carolina, Maryland and
Kentucky did not regard the failure Of the
Barring Brothers of London, as the cause of
all this financial trouble in the United States.
and when am sustained in my judgment by
the action Of so many thousad Democrats
feel more confident and stand steadfast in nv
belief. Mr. Editor, you will have to come
nearer home for the cause Of our troubles.
1t is the tinkeripg with the tariff By the Dem
ocratic party In this believe will be sus.
tanned by the business men of the country.
know that the Republican party is not per-
succeeded Better iu business under national
Republican than Democratic administrations
Uoder most unfavorabe circumstances since
the war; while the Republicans we're in
power at Washington, business was good in
the South and always under Democratic ad.
ministrations our industries languished.
believe will be supported in this assertion
by the merchants and farmers of the South.
consider it OF the highest Importance to
the South that she should uoi:e politically
with the test people at the North, who are
Republicans, and do so not only for policy,
but from principle No country can become
rich and prosperous which only farms and
merchandses We must manufacture, which
cannot be done successfully without that pro-
rpb trh hos oi,xoy hcnn bo 1oG
ro!icy of all Republican administrations.
Now, Mr. Editor, as TO the negro vote:
If the Repu ublicans wish to succeed, how can
they cast it aside? You must admit they will
vote the Republican ticket. In 1876, We
could rot brbe them with the offcc OF one
half of the county Offices.
If it vas right for them to vote The Demo-
cratic ticket in 1876 and the Haskell ticket in
1890, as you -:aow many Of US tried TO get
them to do, and the writer knows some who
also voted the refawm tickets, why should it
be wrong, in the least, for them to vote at the
next election. Il mean such as are qualified
under the new cousiitution.) Ia my own
opinion in State affairs their votes will be
sought after, and hope to see orgs nized in
this State a good and Intelligent white Re-
publican party, which will cause Tilmanites
to be less despotic and have greater regard
for the property of others, and believe such
party could utilize the negroes to great ad-
vantage to the material interests of our State
and both races: There cac be no more fear
of negro rule Even the negro politicians
do not wish it, and the fear of negro comma
tion should no longer be bug bear 10 any
voter, sioce seventy thousand have been dis
franchsed by the late State Convention
In your answer to reason 6 you say: "Tbe
Republican party has fastened the national
bank system, and has prevented the cstab-
lishment of State banks, &c :"
If this legislation was so injurious 10 this
co,1try, why did not the Democratic party
abolish the same when they had the entire
machinery Of the government under our war
president, Grover Cleveland. think they
had the power to 10 it.
lsppreciote very highly your candor and
kindness, and have given the matter you
warn me Of, mueh consideration, and know
that the voters of South Carolina are to-day
doing the same thing. am fully satisfied | !
am right and believe AID know go by ex-
pressiors OF others to me-
Now, Mr. Editor, re have another surprise
for you. We will sooa form white Rrpub-
llcsn cub in your ci'y-composed of meu of
raaitl