The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-06-02
AIsISTO CRACY rs. DEMOC-
RACI.
ard rather hu IN unit

Of those who aided in the forma-
ton of the Republic of America,
doubted the stability Of our instl-
tutiOns.
AS late ~ the second presidential
election, JOHN ADAMS contcndod
that a certain mixture of aristoc-
racy with monarchy was ncccs-
sary to that balance of interest
without viii IN free government
could not exist. Not so the illus
trious JEFFERSON. He who was
h father of democracy, insisted
that free government could only
exist when the people we're capable
OF governing themselves. Dcmoc-
racy, pure and simple, means that
the people N Il whole whall man
age political affairs. After the
lapse of almost Il century, it seems
that there are still those who fear
to trust the pcoplc-who advocate
an a%ristocratic policy.
In South Carolina, there was a
time when democracy, pure and
simple, was impracticablc. There
was a time when the voice OF the
people was hushcd. from policy.
The fight then was not for demo
cratic principles SO much as against
corruption. Ignorance and aliens
usurped the government, and, in
order that honesty and Intelligence
might be successful, the democratic
party chose discreet mcent to meet
in convention to place in nomina-
ton, not men who were the choice
of the people, but the most avail
able candidates. The necessity for
this no longer exists. The nomi-
nation by the democratic party is
equivalent to an election, and we
look with suspicion upon any move
ment that seeks to take the ballot
from the people at large, and place
1t in the hands OF the few.
Ah' p'ii'i'oi outloOh III lIiuTtnS
County is becoming interesting to
say the least of it. Here we have
Farmers Clubs passing resolutions
swearing eternal allegiance to the
Farmers Candidates, or to use their
own words, they pledge themselves
to support "only such candidates
as are in full sympathy with the
farmers movement" Then they
recommend that the delegates to
County Club shall name II Senator
and three representatives who are
In syn,pathy with the movement.
Here is the situation in a nut
shell: owe farmers need redress
In the laws, we do not know who
will protect our interests, but We
will allow cighty-Onc men to
select such for us. We, who
are the bone and sincw Of the
country, are not capable of choos-
rulers, but we swear allegiance to
the eighty-onc are able to choose
for u.s."
Away with such boss-ism! The is
u IL now made. Choose between
the primary and convention. The
democratic party allows every man
in the County to run for Office if
he sees fit, and every man to make
his own selection. Another party,
we know not what to cal! it, asks
that eighty-One of its members be
allowed to make selections for YOU.
Decide between Olcgarchy and
Democracy.
Certainly, from this "quartcr"
no objection shall ever eminate
against Il candidate who will pro-
tect the farmers. They have
grievances that demand attention.
But when the people as II whole
can nolonger choose for themselves
means of the ballot, but must
do 80 by representatives, then the
is a failure.
We have the utmost confidence
I'm the integrity and wisdom Of the
farmers of Laurens County, and we
still do not believe that they de-
sire suggestions or nominations
any ource. We believe they
have an intelligent idea of what
they need, and certainly no one can
determine who are worthy
Of trust and confidence than them
We asked II farmer friend, a few
days ago, what he understood by
The FARMERS movement" He said
he did not clearly understand, I'M