Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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lewis m. grist, proprietor, j |nbepenbent Jantilj; ftetospper: Jfor tjje |)rainoti(m of t|e political, Social, Agricultural anb Commercial Interests of tjre j$outj|. |TEBMS--$2.50 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE. V VOL. 26. YOEKYILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, JUNE lO, 18SO. NO. 24. ??} L__ ftate ffllitics. | From ttie News and Courier. STATE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. Columbia, Tuesday Night, June 1.?The State Democratic Convention which assembled to-day, being as large, in point of numbers, as the Senate and House of Representatives combined, quite filled the hall of the Representatives. The proceedings were marked through- I out by order and decorum, affording a striking contrast to the Radical Convention, which so ! nearly ended in a free fight, on the 28th of April last. All of the counties, with oue ex-! ception, were fully represented upon the floor. proceedings of the convention. Precisely at 12 M. Gen. J. D. Kennedy, the chairman of the State Executive Committee, j called the Convention to order as prescribedby the Constitution of the Democratic party, and nominated Col. James H. Rion, of Fairfield, for temporary chairman and James Al"" " ' - ?. ~C (lncli, Jbsq , as temporary secreuuy ui mc i Convention. These nominations were adopted without opposition. Gen. A. C. Garliugton, of Greenville, moved that a committee of five be appointed on credentials. Mr. J. C. Sheppard, of Edgefield, moved as a substitute that as there were no contesting delegations, the roll of counties be called, and the credentials 'handed to the secretary. Adopted. The roll being called the delegates answered to their names. Mr. A. H. Mowry was substituted for Mr. G. W. Mclver, in the Charleston delegation, and P. M. Hamer for P. M. Heller, in the Marlboro delegation. Upon motion of Mr. J. C. Sheppard, the rules of the House of Representatives were adopted as the rules for the government of the Convention. Gen. James Conner, J. C. Sheppard, Col. C. H. Simonton, Major G. Lamb Buist and Col. J. S. Cothran, of Abbeville, were nominated for the position of permanent chairman of the Convention. Messrs. Conner, Sheppard, Simonton and Buist all declined in favor of Col. Cothran, who was unanimously elected. / i i n_ii.! ft V>OI. V^oinrun was escurieu iu me euan uj a committee consisting of Messrs. Simonton, Buist and Sheppard, and, on assuming the Presidency of the Convention, spoke as fol lows : Gentlemen of. the Convention : I thank you most heartily for the honor you have conferred upon me by calling upon me to preside over the deliberations of this body. This is an important assemblage. I see before me now the men brave and true who have cairied the standard of Democracy through its state militant. I now see the same men who will again carry it through the state triumphant. The task lies before you of discharging iu the future as you have done in the past your duty to the State. It would not become me to drill in the school of thesoldier the veterans of two brilliant campaigns, nor will I attempt to do so. But you will -pardon me if I say, that whilst you know your duty, one word of admonition may be permitted as to your danger. Your duty you understand, and I hope you will appreciate the danger which may lie before you. In the full flower of success which you have achieved there may be imbedded a germ of destruction which lies in discords and dissen sions, which may be found in your midst. Let all petty ambitions, all paltry jealousies be banished, and let the sons of South Carolina be even now, as in the past, united as 1:? _i one mail, stnuuiug suuuiuvi iu suuuiun >> discharge of the whole diUy that lies before them. Otherwise there is danger of dissension and danger of division. These evils always come in the train of success. The party in the minority is hound together by the strongest ties. They are united by every con sideration. It is only when power conies that danger comes. And, gentlemen, without detaining you further, let me invoke upon the deliberations of this Convention unity aud harmony. And God forbid that on the morniug succeeding the election in Novem ber next, and for years and years afterwards, that we should look back upon that day with k regret?that we should look back upon this campaign with regret and, as did the Bard of Scotland, when standing on the last of the long line of the Cheviot Hills, he looked over the field of Flodden, say with a wail of despair: "Another sight h:id seen that morn From Fate's dark book a leaf been torn, And Flodden had been Bannockburn." The following gentlemen were then elected vice-presidents?one from each Congressional district: James Aldrich, of Aiken ; E. M. Rucker, of Anderson ; J. \V. Gray, of Greenville; W. A. Courtenay, of Charleston and \V. W. Harllee, of Marion. Messrs. J. Aucrum Simons, of Charleston, and D. P. Duncan, of Union, were elected secretaries. Mr. B. B.Sams, of Beaufort, was elected treasurer. On motion of Col. Simonton the adoption of the rules of the House of Representatives by the Convention was reconsidered, and a set of rules more simple and more adapted to the needs of the Convention, were offered and adopted. Mr. Win. Munro of Union, offered the following resolution: Revolved, That this Convention do now proceed to nominate candidates for State officers, and the State Executive Committee be and they are hereby instructed that the State canvass shall not be opened earlier than the first week in September next. This question had been so thoroughly ventilated iu the newspapers, he said, that he did not desire to make an argument. The single argument advanced against making the nominations for State officers now was that it would precipitate the State campaign. It would, in his opinion, have a contrary effect, but in case those favoring early nominations should be mistaken in this regard, the resolution had been framed to meet that objection. He, therefore, asked the iminedi-1 ate consideration of the resolution. Mr. J. C. Sheppard claimed that under the j rules this resolution must be referred to the j committee on resolutions, and moved that a recess of five minutes be taken for the pur- j pose of selecting that committee. Mr. John B. Cleveland moved that the j rules be suspended and that the resolution be J considered at ouce. The Chair ruled that the motion to take a recess and elect a committee on resolutions , had precedence, aud the Convention accord- j ingly took a recess of five miuutes and elected i the following commiteeon resolutions : Abbeville, J. C. Maxwell; Aiken, T. J. Davies; Andersou, E. B. Murray ; Barnwell, G. W. M. Williams; Beaufort, Wm. Elliott; Charleston, Jas. Conner; Chester, J. S. Wilson ; Chesterfield, W. W. Spencer ; Clarendon, Jas. E. Tindale ; Colleton, M. P. Howell; i Darliugton, W. C. Cooker; Edgefield, J. C. j Sheppard ; Fuirfield, E. E. Thomas; George- j town, Richard Dozier; Greenville, F. H-; Fuller; Horry, C. P. Quattlebaum ; Hamp- j tod, C. J. C. Hutson; Kershaw, J. D. Ken , nedy; Lancaster, J. B. Erwiu ; Laurens, B. ! W. Ball ; Lexington, J. F. Wingard ; Marion, W. W. Harllee; Marlboro', P. M. Hainer; Newberry, Geo. Johnstone; Oconee, S. Y. Stribbling; Orangeburg, J. F. Izlar ; Pickens, D. F. Bradley ; Richland, A. N. Talley ; Spartanburg, D. R. Duncan ; Sumter, J. D. Blanding; Union, Win. Muuro ; Williamsburg, E. M. Gilland; York, I. D. Witherspoon. Gen. W. W. Harllee then offered the following resolution: Resolved, That this Convention do recommend ; to tlie people of this State to elect delegates to a State Convention for the purpose of nominating candidates for electors for President and Vice- , President of the United States and for State offi- j cers on the lf?th of August next. Referrei to the committee on resolutions, j On moti- n the resolution of Mr. Munro, in favor of immediate nominations of State offi- j cers, was also referred to the committee on i resolutions. Mr. J. C. Sheppard, of Edgefield, said that; the primary object of the Convention was the j election of delegates to the National Conven- j tion, and he thought that no better plan of! action could be adopted than that used in | 1876. He, therefore, moved that the Conven- j tion proceed at once to elect four delegates from the State at large to represent the State J of South Carolina in the National Convention, which meets in Cincinnati on the 22d instant, ! and that immediately thereafter the delegates | from each Congressional District retire and select two delegates to represent each such district. That the four persons receiving the highest number of votes for delegates at large be de lared the delegates, and that the next four be declared the alternates. Mr. Munro moved to amend Mr. SheppardV motion by udding: "And that immediately thereafter the Convention do proceed with the i nominations for State officers." Col. J. N. Lipscomb made the point that1 this amendment was out of order, objection j having been made to the original resolution looking to the same end. The chair ruled the point of order well taken. Col. William Elliott, of Beaufort, moved to refer Mr. Sheppard's resolution to the committee on resolutions, in the same manner as the other resolutions that had been offered. The chair ruled that Mr. Sheppard's motion was not a matter strictly referable to the committee, but was merely a motion as to the order of business. Mr. Sheppard's motion was then adopted. Mr. Sheppard then placed in-nomination as delegates at large, Senator Wade Hampton and Senator M. C. Butler, of Edgefield. I think, he said, South Carolina should have power in the National Convention. Her voice should be heard, and it should be expressed in such meaning terms that they cannot be misunderstood, and without detracting from the merits of others, I do not think there are two persons in South Carolina who can come nearer expressing the desires of the whole Democracy of South Carolina than Senators Hampton and Butler. Their position before the country is a guarantee that what they say they mean, and what they say they will do, and I hope that there will not be a single vote cast against them in this Convention. The following gentlemen were also placed In nnminntimi fnr tbp nnaitinn nf dftWates at large: Gen. John Bratton, Major Theo. G. Barker, Col. James H. Rion, Major G. Lamb Buist, Hon. J. H. Evin9, Col. A. C. Haskell, Jno. A. Lei and, Esq., Richard Dozier, Esq., and the Hon. B. F. Perry. Messrs. Rion, Dozier, Perry and Haskell declined to be candidates. Capt. W. C. McGhee, of Abbeville, moved that Senators Hampton and Butler be nomi nated by acclamation. The chair ruled that under the rules the election would proceed viva voce, each delegate as his name was called, namiug the four candidaies that were his choice. The election then proceeded as indicated, and resulted as follows: Hampton 156, Butler 156, Barker 103, Brattou 86, Buist 79, Evins 37, Lelund 6, Gary 2. The first four names were, therefore, declared elected as delegates at large, and the next four were declared elected as alternates at large. To carry out the second part of Mr. Sheppard's motion, viz: That the Congressional delegations retire and select two delegates to represent each such district in the National Convention, the Convention then adjourned uutil 7 P. M. EVENING SESSION. The Convention resumed its session at 7 P. M. The delegation of the several Congres sional districts reported that they had elected the following delegates aod alternates to representrtheir respective districts in the National Democratic Convention at Cincinnati: First District?C. S. McCall and J. H. Earle, delegates ; James Norton and J. W. Williams, alternates. Second District?F. W. Dawson and Sam'l Dibble, delegates; W. H. Muckenfuss and A. H. Mowry, alternates. Third District?John R. Abney and B. F. Whitner, delegates; 0. T. Calhoun and Job F. Wingard, alternates. Fourth District?F. A. Connor and W. C. Cleveland, delegates ; John B. Erwin and R. N. Hemphill, alternates. Fifth District?T. J. Davies and Alfred Aldrich, delegates; J. W. Holmes and F. T. Harrall, alternates. On motion of Mr. Shepherd, the reports of the committee were adopted and the selections made by them were, declared the choice of the Convention. Gen. James Connor, on behalf of a majority of the committee on resolutions, submitted the following report: The committee ou resolutions, beg leave to report that they have considered the several resolutions submitted to them, and recommend the adoption of the following: Bosolved, That the Convention do now pro- , ceed to nominate candidates for State officers, and that the State Executive Committee be instructed to open the State canvass at such time as iu their judgment will least disturb the agricul tural interests of the State. James Conner, for Committee. In presenting this report, Gen. Connor said the committee had given the question before them the most earnest and careful consideration, and the result of their deliberation had been the adoption of the above report by a majority of the committee. Gen. William Harllee, on behalf of a minority of the committee, submitted the j following minority report: The undersigned, on behalf of the minority | of the committee od resolutions, to whom were referred the resolution of the delegate from Union and that of the delegate from Marion touching the propriety of making ! nominations by this Convention, begs leave j to report the following resolution, with the i recommendation that the same be adopted by J this Convention: Resolved, That this Convention do recom-' mend to the Democratic party of this State to elect delegates to a State Convention for ! the purpose of nominating candidates for j electors for President and Vice-President of the United States aud for State officers on the 10th day of August next. Respectfully submitted. W. W. Harllee, Fcr the minority of the Committee. Gen. Harlee, in support of the minority report, said that while the matter had been j fairly discussed and a majority of the counties j voted in favor of the majority report, a very j large minority, representing, he believed, a j majority of the white voters of the State, were equally earnest in insisting that this Convention should not make nominations at the presen; time. The minority of the committee opposed early nominations, first, because it was contrary to the precedent and usage of the party. Secoud, that nominations at the present time would be unwise and premature, because the people had not had time to make up their choice of candidates, as they presumed the old custom would have been adhered to and they would have had abundant time for reflection. Third, if the Convention nominated electors now they would be electing gentlemen to support a President who had not been nominated and a platform which had not been framed. He protested agaiDBt placing the people of South Carolina in such a humiliating position. The State would be manacled by tho National Convention and would be compelled to submit docilely to any action that that Convention might choose to take. Fourth, nominations at the present time will cause dissension and destroy the unity and harmony of the party. He considered that it would be a harsh measure to force nominations ou so large a miuority of the people of the State, and the result would be a tendency to apathy and indifference and disgust among a very large portion of the members of the party. There would Jae a paralysis and want of enthusiasm among the people, while, if a postponement was agreed to, the party would have time to heal all differences and settle down upon a candidate who would represent the whole people. In conclusion, Gen. Harllee moved that the minority report be adopted as a substitute for the majority report. Mr. Andrew Cruwford, of Richland, followed Gen. Harlee. He said he had but one point to submit to the the Convention, and he spoke as an unqualified and ardent supporter of Gen. Johnson Hagood. It was said on the streets everywhere that this was a Hagood Convention, and that if they did not nominate him now, when August came it might be found that he was not the man for the place, aud a third party might be brought into the contest. If Gen. Hagood was the representative of the Democratic party to day he would be their representative in August and November next, and he thought it a very dangerous course to rush ahead and make nominations now, because it was feared that certain candidates would not be as strong later on. Such action, he said, was calculated to create a dissension and'dissatisfaction among the members of the Democratic party, which the party could very ill afford to give cause for. Mr. T. M. Gilland, of Williamsburg, favored early nominations. In the first place, he said the objection of those favoring the report of the minority that it would be inconsistent to nominate electors for a President not yet nominated was unreasonable. When South Carolina sent her delegates to Cincinnati she committed herself to abide by the action of that convention, and it was unreasonable to say that South Carolina, one of the smallest in the Union, would turn aside in disgust from any nomination that the National party might make. As to the point that the campaign would be precipitated, he said the campaign had already begun, and the people were reaching out for a leader around whom they might rally with perfect confidence. In addition to this, the executive committee, in whom the people had perfect confidence, were instructed so to manage the campaign that the interests of the agricultural sections might not suffer. He had no fear of Independentism. Once a leader was placed in the field the people would heal their little differences and come together in support of their common liberty. With these facts in view, he saw no reason why the raajorty report should not be adopted. Mr. J. C. Callison, of Edgefield, opposeed the majority report. He could hardly believe that a Convention, composed of the wisdom of the Stato, would do a thing so rash and so inconsistent as to nominate Electors for a President who was not yet nominated. In his opinion, those favoring early nominations were a large minority among the voters of the State. Under instructions from his County Convention he would not vote for a State officer if the Convention should decide to go into these nominations now. The upcountry wanted time to settle upon a candidate who would be acceptable to the entire party. The result of postponing the nominations in 1876 was the nomination of Hampton instead of Chamberlain, and so it would * Tn _ -A? r J De now. 11 iiormuauuus were jurc-eii ujjuu the people now it would create a lukewarmness arid apathy which might prove disastrous to the best interests of the State and of the party. Mr. B. W. Ball, of Laurens, favored the majority report. The other side had raised a great cry, he said, about the traditions of the party. The Democratic party in South Carolina had no traditions since reconstruction. Hampton was the only candidate the Democratic party had had, and it required more than one candidate to create precedent. Delegates had been elected to Cincinnati and they would take part in framing a platform for the Democratic party. The State Democratic party had no platform as yet, and would most likely adopt the platform of the national party. The Convention was not assembled to follow in the beaten track of usage, but to act for the best interests of the people. He thought that nominations by the present Convention was greatly to be desired. Gen. J. \V. Gray, of Greenville, stated that he was a member of a delegation which had been instructed to vote against early nominations, but in the event of the nominations being made by the present Convention to vote for Gen. Hagood. He believed that the counties were entirely unprepared for nominations now. The twelve counties who opposed the majority report contained a majority of the Democratic voters of the State. The chief objection to present nominations, in his opinion, was the election of electors to support a platform that had not been framed and to vote for a President not yet nomi nated. Mr. James Aldrich favored the majority report. He denied that the election of electors for President would bind the Democratic party of the State to the action of the National Convention any more than the election of delegates to that convention would do. Those who said that there would be apathy and indifference in the part if the nominations were made at present, were those who were inclined to be indifferent now if they could not rule. So far as he was concerned, if the majority decided to postpone the nomination, he would bow to to their wisdom and give his whole hearty support to whatever actiou they should take. Mr. J. H. Earle said he had at first been inclined to oppose nominations at the present time, but after hearing the arguments which had been submitted, he had come to the conclusion that it was best to have the nominations now. The Convention had the right to make these nomination; the people knew, when they elected their delegates, that the Convention would in all probability make nominations for State offices, and they would be disappointed if they were not made. He had no fear of Independentisro. There were but two candidates in the field for the position of Governor?Johnson Hagood and M. \V. Gary. He knew both of these men too well to fear Independentism from them. As soon as one was nominated, the other would fall in line. Some counties needed more time than others, and it was iu his opinion, a vfery wise course to make the nominations, so that those who wanted to opeu the campaign at once could do so, while iu other counties the opening of the campaign could be delayed as long as desirable. Mr. W. K. Wideman, of Abbeville, opposed the majority report. He said that those who were clamoring for a postponement were those who were always found, when the time came, in the front and heat of the fight. If the nominations were forced upon the people now, there would be a dissatisfaction among the members of the party that would not be easily soothed. This want of harmony which would be created was a serious matter, which should be avoided if pos1 sible, and the only way to avoid it, was to, ; postpone the nominations until the people ! were ready for them. j Gen. M. W. Gary rose and said be spoke I with more embarrassment than on any pub' lie occasion before. H^gtood in the Convention as an individual and in a representaj tive capacity. He had beeu spoken of as a j candidate against Gen. Hagood ; he had been , discussed in the Press, but he challenged I proof of his ever having either accepted or ' declined this nomination. He did not feel it ' incumbent upon bim to disclose what he | would do. To accept a nomination before a platform was framed, was, in his opinion, selfstultification. Twice since the war he had refused to vote for the nominees of the Democratic party because they were not true Democrats. He was a Democrat; not for the spoils of office, but from principle. When the party was making up its mixed ticket of Carpenter aud Butler, he had refflg^l to have anything to do with it. The question before the pres ent Couvention was very plain. No one could deny that in South Carolina there were two elements in the Democratic party. I The one was for straightout Democracy, and the other was fusion ; and, twist and turn as they might, that was the question before the Convention to night. If he had any ambition for office it was not for the gubernatorial chair of South Carolina. He had always believed that to elect a. man Governor was to virtually place him on the shelf. He didn't propose to go on the shelf, unless he was forced there. He proposed to remain an active member of the Democratic party of the State, and sink or swim with it. The claim that it was necessar}' to make nominations now was absurd. He did not charge the executive committee with acting in the interests of any particular man or set of men ; but he did assert that their action had certainly lulled into security those who did not expect nominations at the present time. Those who had said that he had his eye upon the Gubernatorial chair of South Carolina had done him a great injustice. He had frequently said that he would rather be right than be Governor of South Carolina. He had always believed that it was an office which should not besought and not declined ; and he would say for the benefit of those who had charged him with being a candidate for the office of Governor, that he had never taken a step to secure the nomination in this Convention, and he never would. He considered the election of electors before the President was nominated, as only a species of indepeudentism. If, as had been said, those counties opposed to nominations at the present finio nrmtn inert on onhinl mflinritv. then the very first principle of Democratic government demanded that the minority should yield. The Democratic party could not afforded to be divided. The revival of the Republican party was sufficient to put every pafHot on his guard. He had no personal feeling against Gen. Hagood or his supporters. He had twice nominated and supported him for office; but he did not think it fair to those in the party who desire office to force these nominations now. Look, he said, at the injustice to Gen. Bratton which this nomination would entail. Do you propose to do injustice to hint and others who have been nominated for this office, and say the fight is narrowed down to Hagood. and Gary ? Throw open the gates and give everybody a chance. High strung men, who do not take their cue from any one man, will not bow to the ipse dixit of any autocrat of the party. Gen. R. R. Hemphill, of Abbeville, thought that he would fall far short of his duty to his constituents if he failed to enter his solemn protest against pominations at the present time. This was no time to change aud abolish a precedent which had carried the party successfully to victory in two campaigns. We ought not to consider the motion to nominate now unless there was some argument in it. As yet he had seen none. If we take the course proposed for us, here comes in an executive committee with their hands tied, and they can refuse to take any action because they have been instructed not to do so. There was no precedent for this extraordinary proposition, and, for one, he again entered a solemn protest against the adoption of the majority report. Gen. Conner stated that he would claim the right of making a brief statement in closing the debate, as having handed in the majority report. Under parliamentary law he claimed that he had the right to open and close the debate. If there was any one else to speak he would wait. Col. J. N. Lipscomb said if the debate was to be closed, he desired to say a word. He was a member of the Executive Committee of 1876, and this same question, whether there should be one Convention or two, arose, and upon it the committee was divided. The committee determined to make no nominations until the platform of the National Democracy was known. The question for consideration is, Are the people of South Carolina prepared to announce a platform in advance and anticipation of the one to be adopted at Cincinnati? He could not see thai there would be any greater difficulty in arousing our people in August next than there was in August, 1876. In other States nominations for State officers had been deferred until after the National Democratic Convention, the platform of which would be adopted and ratified by these State Conventions. There is no force in the objection that it would be too expensive to hold another Convention. There were plenty of men who would gladly come. Our action should be kt? Uo+ ic Pai* VtQ A guiueu uy vninv ioiui v*jv hvuuiv/vi uiu ^buw, and uot by the ambition of any man or set of men. The ouly argument he hud heard in favor of nomination now was that they were here and had the right to nominate now. It will be a heavy tax upon the people if this campaign is unnecessarily prolonged. His constituency had instructed him to oppose this move, and he recognized the wisdom | of their instructions. Dr. A. N. Talley, of Columbia, stated that j in the committee he had supported the ma| joiity report which recommened early nomi; nations. He had learned since that the : County Convention of Richland had instruct! ed its delegates, of which he was one, to op! pose early nominations. He had not been i present when these instructions had been I made. He would, therefore, feel compelled to vote for the minority report, although against his convictions, i Mr. Boweu, of Pickens, said that the peo; pie of his county were convinced that the majority of the Democracy of South Carolina ; svere opposed to nominations at present, and ! he hoped that the minority report would be ! adopted. Gen. James Conner then claimed the reply | by reason of having submitted the majority j report. He said that under the call of the I Executive Committee, the counties had been ; called upon to say whether they were in favor j of nominations by the present convention or ! not. It was, therefore, to be supposed that J the Convention was composed of delegates specially selected to represent the will of their constituency on this question. Some of the counties had acted one way and some another, and it was absolutely necessary that there should be a decision and determination of the Question, and, said he, who is to decide it? s it not this Convention, which is the Demo cratic party of the State of South Carolina ? Can the call put forth by the Executive Committee be decided by any other judgment than by the judgment of the Democratic party in convention assembled ? We are, therefore, fuce to face with a question which has ^been submitted through the counties by the Executive Committee of the party. YVe are to decide it as a question of party policy. This is a party question, free from personal : feeling. As a party issue, upon which the Democracy are divided, it is to be brought here in family council, to compare our views, consider the situation, and to decide in Such manner as, in our judgment, is best for the party and for the State. No personal consideration should influence the vote of any dele^ gate upon this floor. YVe are not deciding a question simply for this year, but which may hereafter come up as a precedent for future | years. It is, therefore, wise that we should go prudently to work and leave no room to regret o jr action hereafter. Wdiat are the reasons why tbis Convention should now act? It has been said that there is no precedent. Can any one point to an instance where a Convention has been called by the committee under the same circumstances? Wo are limited and narrowed down in the matter of precedent in this State. There has been but one single Democratic Convention in a Presidential year, and that was in 1876. I am one of those who liiiuiv tunt wc uavc iuu uimij tutivuuiuiio, wu much politics. Wc have here a body which is instructed, a body that is prepared to act according to the will of its constituency. Why, then, have another convention ? There is nothing in the reason of precedents which justifies it. Nor do I see any reason in the objection that we cannot nominate because the National Convention has not assembled. I am surprised to see so much importance attached to a platform. We know that beyond the shadow of doubt, no matter what is done in Cincinnati, the State of South Carolina is bound by it. She has to day named delegates iu whom she has absolute and implicit faith, and whatever they commit the State to in Cincinnati, that the State will stand by. Does it matter one iota to us what the platform may contain or who may be the nominee who may be placed upon it ? When the flag is unfurled South Carolina must wheel into line in its support. Why wait for the future when our action is fixed and certain in advance of that future? It is said that nominations now will derange the agricultural interests of the State. It has been provided that the executive committee si.all not open the canvass until such time, as in their judgment, shall least disturb the agricultural interests of the State. That matter will be left to the judgment of the executive committee. There can be no executive committee elected until the State ticket is nominated. The ticket and the committee are the working factors of the campaign. We have never gone into apolitical campaign in this State yet, in which the executive committee has had half enough time to make an effective campaign. Nominations by this Convention will be followed by the election of an executive committee, which will have the party to organize, and to consider deliberately and calmly what is to be the plan of that campaign. The time which this would give the committee, General Conner held, was of the first importance. Enthusiasm was not everything in a campaign. There was something more important than enthusiasm, and that was work?calm, quiet, solid, effective work. It is that which tells in the campaign, and which, nine times out of ten, wins the fight. The Convention was here to do what was right, and if they could not do what was right, and face the consequences, it has not the strength to live. At the conclusion of his remarks, Gen. Conner called the previous "questions on the whole matter. The main question being in order, the Chair ordered a vote upon the adoption of the minority report postponing nominations, as a substitute for the majority report, which recommended nominations by the present Convention. The yeas and nays were called and resulted yeas 67, nays 86. Lost. It was then claimed, by Messrs. George Johnstone, J. W. Gray and R. R. Hemphill that the previous question had been exhausted, and that debate was again in order upon the adoption of the majority report. After some discussion of this point, the Chair ruled the previous question not exhausted and declared the debate closed. The vote was then taken on the adoption of the majority report, and resulted yeas 84, nays 63. Adopted. Mr. Murray, of Anderson, rose and said that now that the Convention had spoken and decided in favor of immediate nominations, he moved that the adoption of the majority report be made unanimous. [Lord applause.] Gen. Harllee seconded the motion. Mr Allan nf Eilo-pfielft fltatarl that nnrlar instructions from his people, he could not endorse the action of the Convention, but would abide by whatever the people of his county did. Mr. Murray said that as there was objection, he would withdraw his motion. Mr. George Johnstone renewed the motion. Mr. Sheppard, of Edgefield, said that while he recognized the right of the people to instruct their delegates, he felt that there was a higher duty than the instructions which he had received. The majority report being adopted, he believed that it was the duty of every Democrat in South Carolina to support it. When I return to my constituency, he said, I don't know what my fate may be. I will however, support the action of this Convention, aud beg my people to do so. And if I know the people of Edgefield aright, an overwhelming majority of the straightout Democracy will sustain this action with me. [Lord applause.] Gen. Conner said that as an expression of unanimity had been obtained, it would be useless to press the calling of the yeas and nays to secure a unanimous vote. He felt assured that everv man in the Democratic party would cheerfully support the action of the Convention. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. , Andrew Crawford, Col. Blue, of Marion, and Mr. Johnstone, of Newberry, and the Convention, at midnight, adjourned until 10 j o'clock to morrow, when nominations for i State officers will be made. second day's proceedings. 1 Columbia, S. C\, June 2.?The Democratic State Convention met at ten o'clock this morning, and at once proceeded to transact the business before it in the order recommend- 1 ed by the majority of the committee on resolutions. 1 Col. James H. Rion stated that as a mem- 1 berof the Executive Committee of the Na- 1 tional Democratic party, he had two resolutions to offer which he hoped the Convention would consider favorably. The first of these resolutions was as follows $ 1 Resolved, That the delegates from the State of ! South Carolina to the Rational Democratic Con- i vention, to bo hold at Cincinnati, on the 22nd of . June, 1880, be instructed to yote for the continuance of the two-thirds rule. Mr. Ball, of Laurens, offered the following J as a substitute: Resolved, That the delegates to the National I Convention go uninstructed as to the two-thirds ' rule. j On motion of Mr. Murray, this substitute < was indefinitely postponed. Col. Rion's resolution was then adopted. | Col, Rion then offered the following: I Resolved, That the recommendai >n of the Na- < tional Democratic Committee relating to cx-ojtficio membership of oommittees be adopted, as far as the same provides for the member of the National | committee being ex-officio a member of the State Executive Committee. Adopted. Mr. James Aldrich, of Aiken, moved that the Convention go into an election for two Presidential electors at large, and that each of the Congressional delegations select one elector to represent their respective districts. Adopted. On motion of Mr. Callison, of Edgefield, all speeches in nomination of candidates were limited to five minutes, and all seconds to three minutes. Mr. J. C. Sheppard, of Edge^eld, submitted a platform for the party, which was referred without being read to the committee on resolutions. The Convention then went into an election ? ^ * ? Da/vn! I?lanf ai?o at 1 o y rt a U1 LN> U L ICOlUt'Utiai AJICUM/IO a? iuj^vi Gen. Kennedy nominated Mr. George Johnstone, of Newberry, a representative young man of South Carolina, who was eminently Qualified to fill the position. Mr. James Walsh, of Charleston, nominated Col. C. H. Siinonton, who declined the uomiuation with thanks. Mr. Jaui&s Aldrich seconded the nomination of Mr. George Johnstone, who he said was an honest worker, a zealous and eloquent speaker, and one who would reflect credit upon the State and upon himself. Mr. Maxwell, of Abbeville, nominated Gen. M. W. Gary, who declined the nomination. Gen Garlinglon, of Greenville, nominated ex-Governor Johu L. Manning. Mr. M. P. Howell, of Edgefield, nominated J. C. Sheppard, of Edgefield, who declined. Major Buist nominated Col. Wm. Elliott, of Beaufort.. Gen. Conner stated that he was under the impression that an election as Presidential Elector would disqualify the person so elected from holding any other position in the State. Col. Lipscomb agreed with Gen. Conner, and stated that if any one so elected accept another office, it might cause the loss of their vote as elector to the State and to the party. Mr. George Johnstone announced that there were circumstances which compelled him to decline. Maj. Buist was nominated, but declined. On motion of Mr. Bradley, of Pickens, there being but two candidates before the Convention, ex Gov. John L. Manning and Col. Win. Eliott were elected electors at large by acclamation. The following Presidential electors were selected by the Congressional delegations, and were elected by acclamation by the Convention : Fi&t District?Gen. E. W. Moise. J PT/\n P W .Qimnnf An I UCWUU i/iOH 1V>U UVU. \y. XA. UI.UUUKUUI Third District?J. S. Murray, Esq. Fourth District?Col. Cad. Jones. Fifth District?Hon. G. W. Croft. Mr. Johnson, of Marion, moved that the Convention take a recess to allow each Congressional District an opportunity to select three members of the State Executive Committee. Mr. R. R. Hemphill thought it would be exceedingly unwise to change the committee after the plan of campaign had been arranged. Everybody admitted that much injury had been* done to the Confederacy by the change of Johnston and substitution of Hood. So itwould be here. It would be unwise to put new men into a position that the old committee were so much more familiar with. He thought further that to elect a new committee, would be virtually to pass a vote of censure on the old committee. He moved that the present Executive Committee be continued in power during the present campaign. The Chair ruled that a motion to take a recess was not debatable, nor open to a substitute, and the Convention accordingly took a recess for fifteen minutes. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The Congressional delegations, after con sultation, reported the following as meir choice of members of the Executive Committee from their respective districts : First Congressional District?J. M. Johnson, Marion ; J. H. Earle, Sumter ; C. S. McCall, Marlboro'. Second?Geo. D. Bryan, Charleston; B. Pressly Barron, Clarendon; Jas. F. Izlar, Orangeburg. Third?Geo. Johnstone, Newberry; John C. Haskell, Richland ; E. B. Murray, Anderson. Fourth?Wm. Munro, Union; T. Stobo Farrow, Spartanburg; John Bratton, Fairfield. Fifth?J. C. Sheppard, Edgefield; M. P. Howell, Colleton ; C. J. C. Hutson, Hampton. These reports were confirmed by the Convention, and the committee, as reported above, was elected as a whole by acclamation. After a further recess of a half hour, Gen. Harllee, on behalf of the committee on resolutions, submitted the following platform as a substitute for that submitted by Mr. Sheppard of Edgefield: THE PLATFORM. The Democratic party of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, reiterates its adhesion to the doctrines of the great National Democratic party of the United States, and renews the declaration of the principles laid down in its platforms of 1876 and 1878. It has redeemed its pledges to reform the abuses of the State Government, to reduce expenditures, and to use the people's money for the benefit of the people only. It confidently appeals to the general sense of the country upon its record, and challenges the comparison of the present happy and prosperous condition of the State with the bitterness, venality and suspicion, which, under Republican misrule, distracted our people and sapped the foundations of their prospeity. It calls upon all good citizens who favor an honest, economical and liberal administration, to rally to the standard of the Democracy and to lead it to victory. This platform was unanimously adopted. Mr. James Aiaricn, 01 Aiaen, miroaucea the followiDg: Resolved, That the Executive Committee shall be authorized to till any vacancies which may arise in the office of Electors for President and Vice-President in this State. Mr. George Johnstone moved to amend by giving the Executive Committee power to fill any vacancies occurring on the State ticket. Gen. Harllee thought this amendment too sweeping. It gave the committee power which should alone belong to the people. He moved to lay the amendment on the table. The motion to table was adopted, and the original resolution was adopted. Gen. Harllee here rose to a question of privilege. He noticed, he said, that in the report of the proceedings of the Convention, published in the News and Courier, he had been reported as seconding Mr. Murray's resolution to make the adoption of the majority report, favoring State nominations by the present Convention, unanimous. He was not surprised, he said, that, during the applauseand confusion which followed, Mr. Murray's remarks, his remarks had been misunderstood. He had risen for the purpose of moving to lay the motion on the table. He thought it would be casting an unnecessary reflection upon the gentlemen who had opposed the majority vote, wing to the confusion at the time, he had aat down without making his motion to table. Subsequently,Col. Blue had so thoroughly expressed his sentiments, that he had deemed it unnecessary to say anything. He took it for granted that every Democrat in the State would abide by the action of the Convention, and give its action united and hearty support. [Applause.] On motion, the Convention then went into the nomination of State officers, and on motion of Mr. I. D. Witherspoon, the nominations were made in the following order: Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller-General. Attorney-General Superintendent of Education, Adjutant and Inspector-General, State Treasurer. THE STATE TICKET. x Mr. David Fitzgibbon, of Charleston, obtained the floor and placed in nomination for Governor, Gen. Johnson Hagood. Mr. J. W. Holmes, of Barnwell, seconded the nomination of Gen. Hagood, in the foli lowing terms: Mr. President: I heartily second the nomii nation of Gen. Hagood as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Governor. While my feelings prompt me to recall his < brilliant record, both as soldier and civilian, my judgment teaches me that he needs no eulogium from his friends and no introduction to the people of South Carolina, for, wherever in our State private worth and public virtue are valued and venerated, the name of Hagood and the story of his spotless, chivalrous life are familiar as household words. Wo mlin nnmfl frnm hia natlUA Mlintv niiArd ? T V VI MV VVMIV V?U M*W ??*? ?? w wvwm j j he is best known and most loved, present bim to this Convention as the first and last choiee of a county that has been fruitful of good and great men, with the pride and confidence of the Roman mother who pointed to her children as her most precious jewels. With the 'confident assurance that in the coming campaign be will, if nominated, lead the Democratic legions with the same ability, constancy and chivalry that he, years ago, led his brave brigade on the shores of our own State and over the battlefields of the Old Dominion, we place in nomination the name of Gen. Hagood, who, true to the traditions of our past and our party, while protecting the rights of all, will preserve and perfect the supremacy of the civilization of the AngloSaxon race in South Carolina. Col. James H. Rion, of Fairfield, also seconded the nomination of Gen. Hagood. Gen. Hagood, he said, was a man of great administrative ability, of fine powers of organization, and of unsurpassing integrity. He was always more ready to merit approbation than to court it It had been said that Gen. Hagood would carry bis brigade during the war into the hottest of the fight simply for the purpose of personal advancement. He knew, personally, tnat Gen. Hagood on these occasions always acted under orders from superior officers, and if his brigade was taken into hot places it was because his superior officers knew the high qualifications he possessed for such an emergency. As a representative of the minority of the Convention, who opposed early nominations, he hoped that his endorsemen of Gen Hagood would be taken as a guarantee of their willingness to support the action of the Convention, and they would proceed with the campaign as if no such question had ever divided them, and they would go on with a hearty and united will to hold the ground that they had won in 1876. Nominations being closed, on motion of Mr. Daivid Fitzgibbon, of Charleston, Johnson Hagood was unanimously nominated for the office of Governor, amid rounds of ap- Nplause. Dr. J. C. Maxwell, of Abbeville, nominated Gen. John D. Kennedy for Lieutenant-Governor. It had been his fortune, he said, da ring the four years of the war to be thrown with Geu. Kennedy. At all times?in the camp and in battle?he had always found him a gallant soldier, an able officer and a courteous and affable gentleman. When the war ended he transferred the devotion he had given to the Confederate flag to the Democratic party. No man in South Carolina had done more to promote the canse of the Democracy He had worked hard in 1876, and as chairman of the State executive committee he bad led the Democracy to a signal victory in 1878. He would add dignity to the office of Lieutenant-Governor, and with the high sense of justice and the marked ability he possessed, he would add honor to the State and make a Competent presiding officer of the Senate. Mr. Earle, of Sumter, seconded the nomination. Col. James H. Rion, of Fairfield, nominated the Hon. T. B. Jeter, of Union. He was a man whose services were too well known to the State to need recounting. When the State was under the iron heel of Republican depotism he stood in the front rank cf those who rescued the State from Radicalism. Mr. Jeter had not sought the office, and he had allowed his name to be used only after the earnest solicitation of bis friends. He bad already shown his ability as presiding officer of the Senate) and after August next would be acting Governor of the State. He would have charge of the State in what may turn out to be a stormy period, and while he needed no incentive to do his duty it was but ricrht that his efforts should be insnired by --0?w ' ^ ^ a * public approval of his services. Mr. Ball, of Laurens, seconded the nomination of Mr. Jeter, and, on motion, the nominations were closed. The Chair rnled that a majority of the whole number of the Convention wonld be required to elect. The vote was viva voce, and resulted as-follows: Whole number votes cast 147 ; necessary to a choice 80, of which Gen. J. D. Kennedy received 101. T. B. Jeter 43. Scattering 3. Gen. Kennedy was declared duly chosen as the nominee of the Democratic party for the position of Lieutenant-Governor. On motion, the nomination was made unanimous. Mr. E. B. Murray, of Anderson, said he rose to nominate for the office of Secretary of State one whose marked ability and unswerving patriotism were appreciated tbroughqut the entire State. His services in war and in peace had been conspicuous by their devotion to the State. Whether placed on the ticket or not he was a man who would raise his eloquent voice in support of the action and of the nominees of this Convention. He was a gentleman who needed no eulogy. He referred to the Hon. J. N. Lipscomb, of Newberry. Major G. Lamb Buist stated that he took nraat nlaaanrA in spnnnrlincr thfi nomination of Col. Lipscomb. He had rendered invaluable service to the -State in the past. He was a representative of a portion of the State which otherwise?wouId be given no. representation on the State ticket, and he was one of the minority in the Convention which had opposed nominations at this time. These three considerations, aside from his great personal qualifications, rendered him. peculiarly fitted for the nomination. Mr. I. D. Witherspoon nominated Col. R. M. Sims, who was, he said, the courteous and efficient imcumbent of the office at the present time, .ts a soldier and a civilian Col. Sims bad already made an enviable record. He had proved himself an efficient officer, and his friends claimed that it was due to him that this Convention and the people of the State should recognize the efficient and faithful service he had rendered as a public officer. Mr. John E. Erwin seconded the nomination of Col. Sims. Col. Blue, of Marion, nominated Col. R. G. Howard, of Marion?a man, he said, who had shown his patriotism by his unswerving fidelity to the State and to the party. Mr. Samuel Dibble, of Orangeburg, seconded the nomination of Col. Howard. [continued on fourth page.}