The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-04

| administration succeed, and will OK
| tcud to him helping hand. Governor
Etlcrhc is gentleman, and we closely
| watched his reception OF visitors 1t
mattcrcd not to which political faction
the callers belonged, or what be their
| condi lion in life, he extended to thcm
the Same courteous and kind greeting.
Even the army OF Oilicc-scckcrs that
bcsicgcd him were received with the
greatest courtesy.
Tho next day wo called on the Gov
| crnor at his ollicc, and held long
conversation: Governor Ellcrbo feels
the responsibility resting upon his
, shoulders, and spoke Of his peculiar
position. tle said ho WAS AZ firmly at
'achcd to the principles Of reform rs
at any tlmo in his career, but ho
realized the fact that when We adopted
our direct primary IL was an accom-
phshmcnt OF the chief end OF our mis-
; SION, Tor now every man can repair TO
, the ballOL-hoX aud vote for the candi-
dates Of his choice.
: ''Undcr the Old political regime"
ealc Governor Ellcrbc, 'thc great cause
T. that our farmers had for grievances wus
y that they were disfranchiscd through
/ packed conventions. But that mudo
y OF nominating officers is now abandoned
and every white voter, it matters not
" how poor or ilitcratc ne may be, can
= nave an equal voice in the government
e of his State with his fellow Democrats
1 Now, If We deny the right OF the mi
= nority 90 participate in an equal gov
crnment of this State, or resort to
ulterlor means to override their will,
5 tilen we, as kclOrmers, arc doing lust
; what We condemned in tho men who
governed our State to 1890 | main
} tanned this Wow when defeated for Of
llcc some two years ago.
IL fully realize tho fact that occupy
peculiar and delicate position. No
man more highly appreciates the sup.
port OF his friends than myself, or will
prove moro loyal TO his political con
victiOns. But, at the same time, nv
people, through the first direct prim-
ary ever held in South Carolina, have
made me Governor OF their State, and
intend TO be Governor, and not 4; fuc-
tlonnl leader. ! know that much is
expected or mc--much more, perhaps,
than will ever be able to accomplish
My position is far from an chviable
ono. On one hand have the Scylla Of
Roform, and on tho other hand tho
Charybdis OF Conservatism. [ must
steer between these two factions, and
where the slnmbcring embcrs of strife
arc not yet cXtinguishcd. shall
earnestly strive to avoid either rock,
anG with firm grip upon the holm of
state try and shape my administration
as will rebound to the honor and uD-
building OF South Carolina believe
IN the rule OF the white majority at
the ballot box, and in my appointment
Of officers will be somewhat guided bv
recommendations OF the county mem
bcrs in the General Assembly. But 7
shall not forget the fact that am Gov
crnor, and will carefully scrutiniZo the
| characters OF tho recommendations
| made, and then select tho men whom
believe will best serve the public.
90 not intend to be used by any man or
set ol men to revenge personal griev-
hncCs. ! have asked those members
| representing conservative counties to
divide their appointments with reform
crs, and they have generally agreed to
| DO So
! 81 believe that the people OF South
Carol ina are wcaried OF all this fac.
! tional strife and turmoil and It is high
| time that we were at peace and turning
our attention to tho material dovelop-
mcnt Of the State"
| Governor IIllerbc is one OF the broad
cst.mindcd men Nc ever know, and a
| true patriot. He was raised up at thjs
peculiar time TO heal the differences
existing in his State and bring peace
out Of discord, and turn tho attention
OF our people from factional differences
INTO the broader channel of material
prosperity. We do not know of an
other man in South Carolina who could
discharge this delicate mission as VIM.
II. Ellcrbe. While he retains tho
confidence OF bis own faction, at the
same time he has tho good will and
respect OF conservatives.
; The man who thinks that Nm. RI,
Ellcrbc will bo under his domination
Is counting without his host. Ellerbe
has been elected Governor, and he does
not intend to surrender his power into
the hands OF any one. Whom Ellerbe
declared he intended to be Governor
he meant every word Of it.