The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-05-08
FARMER TILLMAN.
The Farmers Alliance in Palmetto Poll
tics. Something about its Leaders.

The Farmers Alliance in Palmetto Poll
tics. Something about its Leaders.
Especial Correspondence Of the Ssntmel.1
SPARTANBURG, S. c., April %, 80.
Capt. Ben. Tillman, of Edgefeld, was
nominated by the Farmers Conven-
tion which met in Columbia in March.
The members of the convention in this
way simply expressed their choice for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
and regarded the nomination as sub
ject to the regular Democratic conven-
tion to meet in June Tillman went
to the March convention with the
platform in his pocket. had himself
nominated in a high-handed manner,
and since then has taken the bit be
tween his teeth and dashed off. It
now looks as if he were going to try to
force his nomination on the regular
Democracy. In case of failure in this
he will probably run against the regu-
lar nominee. He is man of pluck
and nerve and will make a bitter fight.
1t is commonly reported that he is an
unsuccessful farmer and has a gruoge
against the world. His enemies say
that he panders always to the preju.
dices of the crowds a demagogue of
the worst stripe. His friends on the
other hand claim that he has grit, hard
sense, and is the very man to inaugu-
rate reforms.
A second Farmers Convention met
in Columbia this week and protested
against Tillman and his methods.
How far this disaffection reaches con-
not be revealed till the campaign is
more advanced. 1t is possible that
many good farmers will be driven to
Tillman's support by the abuse which
| now falls from all sides on Tillman's
devoted head. The regular Democra-
cy, of course, is up in arms.
1t is unfortunate, to say the least,
that class should be arrayed against
class, especially in South Carolina
where the prosperity of the State de-
pends upon white supremacy.
1t seems to this writer that the
Tillman movement is i'll timed and
shows bad spirit. 1t attempts to ar
ray the poor against the rich-the un.
fortunate against the fortunate-the
copperas breeches against the silk
stocking. 1t claims that the State is
ruled by rings; that there is too much
favoritism in high places; that the
farmer remains poor under the pres
ent system and does not come in fol
his share of the spoils. Now, it is per
fectly true that the farmers are not al
prosperous as could be wished, but il
the present State government to blame
for that? The truth is, we were 81
badly demoralized by carpet-bagger:
and negroes in the days of reconstruc
ton, that many of our interests ar,
still manned. It will take many year
yet for us to outgrow the evils Of thos
dark days; aud the present agitation
will not help to bring the millennium
Nothing but patience and hard worl
can accomplish the desired result
there is no short cut, no royal path.s
The Tillmanites have another loa,
to carry: A prominent old line Repub
lican leader was in the convention
which nominated Tillman. He an,
other Republicans are now hand il
glove with the movement. If MI
T,llman does fail to get the regula
Democratic nomination (and it is al
most certain he will fail,) he will prob
ably rally all the disafected element
of all parties and make desperate
fight against the regular Democracy
| If, on the other hand, the farmer
heed the advice of the President @
the State Alliance, Col. E. T. Stack
house, prosperous farmer of Marion
they will not follow Tillman in any ex
treme movement. It remains to b
seen whether wiser counsel shall pre-
vail or whether Capt. Tillman shal
pursue his headlong rule-or-rui
course.