The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-06-05
POPE OPENS
THE BALL.
ANNOUNCES HIS CANDIDACY, AS
REPUBLICAN.
He Apologies For His Connection
With the Reform Party and Prom
ises to Make Amends.

To the Republicans of South Caro-
lima, and all other persons who desire
an honorable government as the result
OF an honest ballot and fair count:
We have reached crisis in the af-
fairs of State, anarchy, brutality and
fraud reigns, where formerly the op-
| posite condition of affair prevailed.
Believing that in 1890 that change
was needed, and not dreaming that
behind the promises Of leaders, other
things were intended, l assisted in the
overthrow OF the then government.
| AS soon as the clovenfoot was shown
the true intent; tho satisfaction Of IN
individual ambition, coupled, with
hate and revenge, left the gang. For
the part that l took in this crusade
against decency, 1 beg pardon of the
people of this State, and promise in
the future to do everything honorable
in my power to urdo what has been
done.
Senator Tillman announced as one
Of his reasC ns for desiring Con-
stitutional convention, the desire to
make it possible for two parties to exist
among the white people in this State.
In order that it might not appear
hereafter that tho convention was
called and the Constitution made by
Reformers alone, he invited certain
leading white men of the Conserva-
tives to become "particeps criminis"
Poor, unsuspecting creatures,
they swallowed the bait
OF a1 1.,f. -
hundred and twenty-five thousand
colored voters and possibly ten thous-
and whites. He fooled them simply to
prevent the Negroes from assisting the
Conservatives to throw Of his yoke.
Now, that he has accomplished his pur-
pose, he throws off his mask and is try
ing to destroy the national Democratic
party, but says it must be preserved In
State affairs. consistency thou art
jewel. And to presere his power in
the State, he talks loudly about
people going to the Negroes" This
is adding insult to injury. He has dis
franchised the Negro to crafty his own
mean ambition and he knows it, and
yet talks as if he thought that the Ne
groes had not been DISTINGUISHED. L
wonder if he tells his large audiences
that he says he has had in other States,
OF his fraudulent counting in of the
call for convention in this State in
1894?
L had hoped that these men who
we're delegates to the late Democratic
convention, who were true Democrats,
would bolt it when resolution to
abide the action of the national con-
vention was voted down, come
out, call new convention and
fight Tillmanism, which is populsm
and anarchy, but the one who could
bave done so did not have the moral
courage to do it. He could speak Of
poor old Pope" who needs none of
his sympathy, and who, thank God,
has the moral courage to do anything
that he thinks is right, whether it he
popular or unpopular. All, he feels
the thrust of the knife of the man for
whom he instructed his henchmen to
stab. "The mills of the gods grind
slowly. but surely"
But for all this and other tnlngs of
bygone days | forgive him and could I
help him to overcome his puny adver-
sary [ would chcerfuliy do so.
But L am depressing. There is work
to be done. The opposition forces of
this State must come together and act
as one man. The Reformers are no
longer unit, although the henchmen
howl as loud as ever in convention, the
rank and file are disconnected. Prom
lscs OF reform have not been kept;
offices have increased-kinsmen of the
powers that be have been given the
fattest OF them. Taxes have increased,
although the debt has been changed
from a per cent. to 4! per cent.
The dispensary has been foisted upon
the people, when by vote of $4,000
majority, the sale of liquor was to be
stopped. Spies have been put over the
people, protected, too, from suit for in
Jury to person or property The
people of Charleston have been
selected rs victims to have
the metropolitan police put over
them, thus destroying the great privi-
lege of local elf-government These
are apart of the iniquities that have
been heaped upon free people. Will
you fold your arms and submit to it
without n trial to overcome it ut the
polls? Remember that 10, 600 votes Of
the Reformers added to the Conserva-
tive strength will overcome them, and
remember, too, that there are 1900
white Republicans who have not here
tofore voted, and 10000 negroes not
disfranchised, who will vote for good
men for the legislature and other
Offices if they will consent to run. To
save the civilization OF the State it il
your dntyto respond to the call.
The Reformers say that the State is
prospering; that during their admin
istration The cotton spindles or the
State have been more than doubled.
l.. - Il l. -: