Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-31
DRAWING THE BATTLE Lines
BleaSe Leaders Gather for Coming
Fray.
AGAINST RESTRICTION OF PRIMARY

AGAINST RESTRICTION OF PRIMARY
Political Banquet in Columbia Wed.
nesday Nisht-Governor Declare,
for Unrestricted Primary, and il
Neutral as Between Candidates Who
are His Friends-WiII Fight Rich.
ard !. Manning.
The overshadowing political confer
ence Of fair week, as would appear
from the extended report published in
the News and Courier Of Thursday
morning, was that held at the Jeffer-
son hotel on Wednesday night, and
made up Of about two hundred repre-
| sentatives of the old Reform element
from different parts Of the state, now
behind Governor Blease. The assem-
bly, gathered at q banquet board,
spread for the occasion, and eating
and drinking and speechmaking last
ed from about Z o'clock until mid
night Gathered In the lobby Of the
hotel, writes Mr.. Caldwell, were con-
gressional candidates, candidates for
governor and other public men. All
manifested the keenest interest in the
proceedings.
There were speeches by Governor
Blease, Senator John l. McLaurin,
Chas. Carroll Sims of Barnwell, Fred
H. Domlnick, Attorney General Pee
pies, Sam J.. Nichols. Olin Sawyer of
Georgetown, Claude N. Sapp, of Lam
caster, c. C. Wyche and others.
Governor Blease was the centre of
the enthusiasm, and all the speeches
were in the nature Of eulogies on or
interpretations Of the movement In
the state Of which he has become the
leader.
Fred H. Dom'nick acted as toast
MASTER and in lis Introductory speech
stirred the conference to a high pitch
of enthusiasm which found expression
in the demand that he run for govern
or as the leader Of the dominant par
ty; but he declined, saying that ne had
already arranged to go to congress.
Governor Blease urged attendance
on the club meetings to secure control
of the county and state conventions.
He bitterly opposed any restriction of
the primary, announcing that he would
veto any legislation along this line,
urged every white man to register,
charged that fraud was committed in
the last primary by the Jones people
and that his majority over Jones was
really 10000; said fund had been
collected and used in that primary
from corporations in trying to help
elect Jones, and said one man now rum
ming for governor had gone around in
his home town and took up fund, and
that he hoped mo Blease man would
disgrace himself by voting for that
man for governor, saying he Would
fight him on the stump next summer.
No name was mentioned, but 1t was
easily understood that the reference
was to Hon. Richard I. Manning Gov
ernor Blease declared absolute neu-
trality as between all Bleasite candi-
dates for governor and other offices;
but said he would take the side of
Bleaseites whenever their opponents
were anti-Blease. .
Mr.. Chas. Carroll Sims made a hit
with those present by declaring that
Bleaseism means something higher
and nobler than Tillmanism. The state
ment provoked prolonged applause. He
warmed up to the subject and kept
the crowd cheering all through his
speech. He stated during the evening
that he intended to make the fight for
the gubernatorial nomination.
George r. Rembert, Esq, was un-
able to be present, but at the mention
Of his name there were enthusiastic
cheers, showing that the sick man has
many friends.
Senator John L. McLaurin received
careful and appreciative attention and
won considerable applause. His speech,
which was evidently carefully prepar-
ed beforehand, Is the only speech Of
the evening that Is printed in full. 1t
was as follows:
. Hon. John L. MeLaurin.
when man applies for life insur-
| ance he Is asked q string Of questions
about his ancestry. Hereditary tenden-
cies are carefully noted for several
Of the mortuary table is mathematical
ly correct,
Political Hsredity.
This doctrine of heredity applied to
great political movements makes what
we call the history Of the human race.
ITO comprehend Bleaseism one must
first understand Tillmanism; 1t Is pa
rent and child. Tillmanism Is the
daddy; Bleaseism Is the boy just In
long pants, finding out that he Is
man and anxious to try his strength.
Back Of the Shell Manifesto great
forces gathering for generations, broke
forth in the storm Of the March con-
vention of 1890. am going to give
you brief review Of the past, so that
the younger men may understand the
present. / believe look at the situa-
tion without prejudice, with malice to-
ward no man and that charity for 9TH
ers which I beg for my own shortcom-
ings.
There has never been time in the
history Of South Carolina when good
policy, charity and tolerance were more
needed than now. Only last year we
came near the parting Of the ways
Let US be men, not afraid to look the
situation squarely in the face. 1t goes
deep into the domain Of eternal justice
between man and man.
Surely there Is some way to provide
safety to future generations by giving
abiding relief from the bitter strife
which Is inevitable when class Is ar
rayed against class.
A Split in 1890.
There can be no doubt that ever
since the March convention Of 1890 we
have had two political factions as di-
verse in views and more bitterly hos
tile than exists in other states between
political parties. It dies down occa-
sionally, and we have a colorless ad-
ministration that settles nothing and
satisfies no one.
What subtle hidden force, then
fans the smouldering embers into the
fierce flames that threatened last sum-
mer a permanent breach among our
white people?
I'VE had an actual split in 1890, and
two tickets at the general election. 1t
is folly to say that 1t was the per-