The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-15


to be misunderstood, for I never in
tended or attempted to deceive the peo-
ple of the State since I have been
chairman of the party, as winking at a
mongrel organization. The white peo-
ple, know, are Democrats by inheri.
tance, and have entrusted the colois 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 tho
State I recognize the authority Of
National Chairman Harrity, and am
acting under him as such. I propose
to figat any party whatever, Populist
or Republican, as an enemy to the
Democratic party of this State and the
United States. I 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 front, how can we
hope to Withstand the cyclone of Re-
publicanism that would follow divis'
ion into two. It looks now as If Nc.
Kinley will sweep the National Repub-
lican convention in st. Louis. II
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 q Waterloo for the
Democratic party. This would mean
in addition to the election of q 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. If we stay in the party and
are defeated for President by McKin.
ley, we.may carry the next House,
which would be q 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 nomination OF a
gold bug, under the two-thirds rule.
I 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 among the people2"
"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 princl-
Piles of the party.
"And, besides, in this State bolt
now means ruin to large class of our
citizsns, In view of the fact that the
estimate is made, even by Reformers,
that the Republicans will number at
least N, 900 men. I know positively
that hundreds OF Reformers will not
bolt, and even if all bolted it would
leave 35 600 Conservatives, who have
always claimed to be Democrats,
who would reorganize on what they
consider Democratic lines. We have
about $1,000 to $4,000 Reformers, a
very large estimate. With these
three tickets in the field the Repubi-
cans would either carry the election or
hold the balance of po wer in the State
election, and would probably carry
the electoral ticket. I may earnestly
suggest that this is a jurisdiction of
the tight that made while a member
of the Constitutional Convention. It
yindicates my position against the suf
fruge plan of that body. Taken all in
all, the situation in South Carolina is
is q very serious one, and it behooves
every white man who loves his race
to be firm and stand by the Democratic
party News and Courier.