The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-07-04
all and he would not be done an injustice by him.
| shall give it all 10 you.

-. }
Mr.. Harry Calhoun,
Barnwell: S. C.
Dear Mr.. Calhoun:
Since writing you on June Ist, | have thought
more about the proposed constitutional amend
ment, and feel it is due you that | should say
this: When the House of Representatives accept
ed that amendment with the proposed BrlstoW
amendment on it for which all our South Caro-
lima members then present, voted, They
COULD HAVE HARDLY DONE OTHER
WISE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES
They had done everything they possibly could to
remove the obnoxious provision, had voted for
the Bartlett amendment and in every way en-
deavored to secure an amendment acceptable to
our people, The leading Democrats of the House
voted for it, and they did this because of the
urgent appeals of William Jennings Bryan and
other leaders Of the party. They also were
largely controlled by the concurrent resolution of
the South Carolina General Assembly itself of
January 24th, IoII a copy of which l send you.
THIS CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
AMOUNTS TO INSTRUCTIONS TO THE
SENATOR'S AND REPRESENTATIVES
FROM THE STATE. Indeed it is part of
the Democratic platform passed at Denver, and
while it is true that the Bristow amendment was
not part of the original program, in their
provide for the direct vote, they felt that we in
the South could take the risk because, from their
knowledge of conditions and temper of the peo-
pie, they felt as do that the probability of ever
having to resort to extreme measures, was very
remote, if not impossible The Yankees are con-
vnced of one thing, believe, and that is that the
white men in the South will not be governed by
the negroes under any circumstances.
THIS AMENDMENT IN NO WAY IN
CREASED THE POWER OF CONGRESS
TO CONTROL ELECTIONS. They can pass
the Force Bill now if they had the votes, and
from my observation, and have Travelled ex-
tensively and lectured on this subject all the
country, have found the Yankees very little in
clined to meddle with the Soutll's way of manag-
ing the Race Problem
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, I FAIL TO
SEE HOW ANY RIGHT THINKING AND
WELL MEANING MAN CAN CRITICISE
THE DEMOCRATS WHO VOTED FOR
THIS MEASURE. I therefore, would not
have you consider me as doing SO in any sense of
tile word 1t is merely difference of opinion
and | know the South Carolina members OF the
lower house are as good democrats as | am, and
Just as anxious to maintain white supremacy.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) B. R. TILLMAN.
Washington, June II, 1912.
Mr.. H. D. Calhoun,
Barnwell, S. c.
My dear Mr. Calhoun:
Yours of June 5th to hand, and | note what
you say about the votes of our DEMOCRATIC
brethren in the House of Representatives.
have never said that Our men voted right L
distinctly said that thought they made mis-
take | do not now say that it was good
thing" for am as much opposed to it now as
ever was, but having done all l could to prevent
the Bristow amendment from being tackled on,
and THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE
HAVING DONE ALL THEY COULD, l DO
NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE JUSTLY TO
BE CENSURED and that was all intended to
convey to you by my second letter. The people
of South Carolina if they opposed to this con-
sttutional amendment can instruct their Leglsla-
ture to vote it down. do not feel that there is
as much danger as you seem to anticipate shoulo
the amendment be ratified. | think perhaps the
amendment will fail to get the necessary three
fourth vote If were member OF the Leglsla-
ture. would vote against it still as I have done
in the Senate. None of us know now what the
future may have in store for us, but all true
South Carolinians know that under this amend
ment, if it should be ratified, we will MAINTAIN
white supremacy in South Carolina, just as we
have maintained it in spite of the thirteenth and
fourteenth amendments, AND l Do MOI
THINK YOU OUGHT TO BE UNHAPPY
ABOUT IT.
Very respectfully yours,
(Signed) B. K. llLLMAN.
Washington, June IL, 1912.
Mr.. H. D. Calhoun,
Barnwell, S. c.
My dear Sir: n no
Replying to yours of June 10th, Mr. Byrnes
did not solicit or suggest that write you again IN
reference to what had written.
Yours very respectfully,