Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-12-06
AS SEEN BY WILLIAMS.

Democratic Leader Accounts For De-
feat and Offers Substantial Eneour-
asement.
Hon. John Sharp Williams OF mis-
sissippi, leader Of the Democratic MI
nority in the house and undoubtedly
one of the brainiest Democrats In
America, delivered a lecture before the
Wofford College Lyceum, at Spartan
burg last Friday night. The Spartan
burg Herald Of Saturday morning
contains quite a comprehensive report
of his speech and quotes him as haV-
ing said in part.
1--WE have just undergone an over
whelming defeat. am a rock-rtbbed
Democrat, and would be anywhere, In
Vermont or New Hampshire, put
this is not true Of all Democrats, lot
some Of them are such on account OF
the race issue. The Republican party
created that issue, and since they nave
they accuse US Of race preJudlce.
What they call the race issue, Is race
knowledge. We are back In the Union
and there should never have been q
race issue. All of the southern states
would be Democratic now II there
were no race question. 1t Is the tarin
which Is the issue; this Is no local
question and would make US all DEM
ocrats.
AFTER every great defeat there are
many people, weak hearted, who want
| to seek cover and do not care to take
stock to find out the mistakes made
This is not the first defeat Of the great
historical party Of the country. un-
til our present form Of government is
changed, there will always be a DEM
ocratic party. AS I see 1t there are
90 M oooto
defeat Of the party. What believe TO
be the chief cause was the associa-
ton of the Democratic party IN the
public mind with panic and de-
preston. Second, is the recrudence
Of sectionalism, as reluctant as ! am
to admit it. They wish to cut down
southern representation and this is
not only in the minds Of the Republi-
cans, but also some Of the northern
Democrats. The Statesboro AFFAIR cost
us half a million votes. We could noI
stop the discussion Of 1t; we cited IN
stances of northern cruelty to the ne
gro and showed that lynching Is not
confined to any state. But these were
wrong by citing another wrong. we
must enforce the law. We must ac-
knowledge that this Is not logical
but 1t Is a Just argument against cut
ting Off our representation. We must
respect the law. I decline to say that
we are not capable, but lynch law Is
not confined to one crime and we
must at all hazards uphold the law OF
the land. We are called upon to meet
the greatest question which has ever
confronted a people and we are the
only people on earth that are able to
meet It. We seek no sympathy nor
ask favor Of any man but we want 20
assert our rights and above all the
God-given right Of the survival of the
fttest. But we should not forget that
we are not entitled to that title until
we prove ourselves the survival or the
httest. We have been 50 bitterly and
constantly criticised by others that
we hesitate to criticise ourselves.
"The third cause Of our defeat is
the personal popularity Of the pres
ident.
81 was asked the other day as to
what we are going to do about II. l
replied, what are the Republicans 60
| ing to do about It? They have the
most men on the board, but we are
They are responsible for their moves
ut is limited that the Republicans
will revise the tariff, that they Intend
reciprocity with Canada, and that the
president will help the south. II this
be true, he will receive hearty support
from the Democrats in the house. All
| we want Is to be treated as children
and not step-children Of the Amer
lean republic.
"It has been declared that we have
abridged the constitution. When the
courts have decided that, the house
will act upon the judicial opinion. we
are not to force the issue Of the re-
duction of southern representation up
on the Republicans. We are not seek
| ing a row. It has been suggested 10
make the representation according to
the vote taken. Taken when? This
will not do. Again, 1t has been sug-
gested to make representation accord
| ing to white population. But tnat
won't do. Many negroes who can
now vote would be shut out. But II
the Republicans consent to repeal the
fifteenth amendment and return to the
fourteenth the south will embrace II.
1--WE must face one Of two things,
the Republicans will either do moth
ing or reduce the southern represen-
tation. In the first we can do moth
ing; in the second, 1t may be forced
upon us, but we will not consent to II.
There is no legislation to redistrict
state. Let the states continue to do
nothing. When congress, meets there
are five congressman from South Car
olina instead Of seven, but send the
seven men to congress, where some
will be turned away. But 1t is 80 ar
ranged that they can draw one
months pay. When this is refused by
the sergeant at arms, then the court
will take hold of it and thus we can
transfer it to a higher court, just
where we want it. But this is not yet
done. Be of good cheer: our destiny
is in our own hands"
Congressman Williams was pre-
sented with a beautiful bouquet of
white carnations by the young ladies
of Converse college who live in Mis-
sissippi.