The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-03-24

!; The Alliance vs.. Ti|nnaI
PRESIDENT KEITTs ADVICE TO THt
SOUTH CAROLINA ReEoRMeRs.
He Takes Direct Issue with Senator TiIlmar
His Plan for Keeping Free to Vote TO
Silver Candidates This Year. r
Editor Register I have read with
a great deal of interest the letter o
published In the last issue of the Cot.
ton Plant. With all due Difference to
Senator Tillman's opinion, believe
the suggestions of Mr.. Reid are wise
and should not be dismissed without
careful cousiderat The issue is
raised on the question of sending del
egates to the National Democratic Con-
vention. Mr.. Reid, in common with
many true Reformers, has absolutely
lost faith in the National Democratic
Party, and, guided by patriotism and
religion, has determined to take no
part whatever in sending delegates to
the Chicago convention.
30 far as resolutions and platform
are concerned the Reformers of this
| State are practically unit, The prin-
ciples of Jefferson, Jackson and Cal
houn, as enunciated in the financial de-
mands Of the Farmers Alliance, have
been adopted. 1t should be tho sim
( cere desire of every Reformer to pre-
serve that unity upon the basis of
these principles, and strengthen the
forces that are to engage in the mo-
mentous battle for relief this year.
The sReformers of South Carolina can
harmonize upon q platform in the Nav
State Convention without trouble, but
they cannot harmonic upon sending a
delegation to the Chicago Convention.
Many of them do not intend to vote for
the nominees of hseconvention under
any circumstances. They are satfSied
that the financial platform of the
dorsed by the st. Louis Conventions Of
July 22d, and the great struggle fofSre-
lief this year will be between the Joint
candidates of these conventions and
the candidates OF the Republican Party.
No one doubts the sincerity of Senator
Tillman in his efforts to secure relief
but he cannot restore confidence in-tfy-|
National Democratic Party as the
party OF the people, and attempt to do
so Will operate against the H ress of
reform. His declaration infaVor of
representation in the Chicago Conyen-
tion forces those who do not intend
to again surrender, or even jeopardize. |
their principles by assuming party OBJ |
legations against them to adopt a pol- |
icy OF action that will protect them.
selves without question in supporting |
their platforms at the same time do |
nothing, II possible, that will weaken |
the reform forces. They cannot with |
consistency participate in the election
OF delegates to the Chicago Conven-
tion. If the powers of the May Con
the election Of delegates to the Nation- !
al Convention and member of the ma
tional executive committee, the best
course, perhaps, would be to ignore
that convention altogether.
But full latitude is expressly given
for amendments to the Constitution.
BY this provision unnecessary trouble
may arise IL the convention should fall
into the power OF those hostile to our
policy OF reform. There will be no
need OF another political organization
if the Reformers can harmonize in sun.
port OF the nominees of the st. Louis
Conyention. If delegation is sent to
the Chicago Convention, let those send
ing 1T take the entire responsibility.
If they can see their way clear to bolt |
that convention, let them do so; the
Reformers can ther unite upon an cleo
toral ticket in favor of the ST. Louis
nominees. II there is no bolt. new
political party can be at once organ
ized In sympathy with the st. Louis
Convention. In regard to participa-
tion in the May Convention, 1 empha-
size the warning against assuming any
party obligation that may prevent q
Reformer from voting for the repre-
of the reform policy at the
general election. After the experience
OF 1872, Reformers who will go fetter-
ed to the general election are unwor-
thy OF the name, and cannot be de-
pended upon as workers for relief. |
believe the best plan to adopt in the |
present complex condition will be to |
exemplify the doctrine of the Farm
above party. The Farmers Alliance
has forced the great issues upon the |
country. Let all true Reformers be |
faithful to them. II necessary, form
sileer clubs, or in Clubs of any kind |
pledge yourselves to support the Re- |
form platform all the way through the |
general election. Make the pledge 80 |
strong and positive that you convince |
yourself and everybody else that you
intend to keep 1t. Go into your Dem
ocratic clubs, and at once offer resolu-
tions embodying this pledge If they
are not adopted, take no part in the
election of delegates to your county
convention. II your county convention
declines to adopt this pledge, take no
part In the election of delegates to the
State Convention.
Whatever may be the result, you
VIII oe tree TO support the representa-
t1ves OF reform at the general election,
and the responsibility for division OF
the reform forces, II made necessary,
will rest upon those who 90 into the
National Democratic Convention. beg
those who have asked my advice.
where nave not answered personally,
To accept this as an expression of my
opinion. JOS. l. KEITT.
The Port Royal dry dock is cost
ly affair. Since the foundation of this
dry dock the United States govern
ment has expended upwards OF $4, ,5O0,-
600 in completing the works, draining