The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-12
WHAT Is THE TILLMAS GREED:
The "Suggested" Candidate Has Declared
No Policy.

To the Editor of The News and
Courier: 1t is to be hoped that at the
opening of the campaign next week
we shall be informed what measures
are intended to be established by the
Tillman movement, or if 10 particular
measures are to be advanced by that
movement, We who have declined to
enlist under the Tillman flag would be
glad to know it; and if We be considered
without right in the premises, surely
those who have exhibited All inclina-
ton to support the gentleman whose
name the movement bears ought to be
told exactly what he proposes to do, or
to have done. He comes before the
people as a reforiner of abuses, as the
representative of important ideas, as
the exponent of principles essential to
the rights and prosperity of at least the
majority of our population.
In the absence Of other light, one
would take it for granted that the cam
paign is to be conducted solely with
reference to principles or measures. For
the persons who brought Mr.. Tillman
into the field not only adopted Il plat
form before they adopted Mr.. Tiliman,
but formulated that platform as the
declaration of the principles governing
their action: and in this after serious
deliberation. And the Importance of
the doctrines and measures announced
in their platform was, in their opinion
so great (as we are given to understand)
as to Justify a departure from every
rule or precedent hitherto recognized
by the Democratic party of this State.
And but a bare majority of the March
Convention voted for the nomination
of candidates for the two offices of
Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
So it would seem that that Convention
intended a campaign about public
measures, and about them alone.
Vet certain expressions employed IN
the call for that Convention, and GER
tain expressions of Mr.. Tillman in that
Convention and in his public utterances
since, suggest that it is possible that
we are to be treated to campaign
largely compounded of personalities
and platitudes, and that the people
may not have set before them any
public measures ofpractical importance.
Mr.. Tillman and his assistants will
enjoy the privilege of talking as they
please; they will soar; if they choose,
into the empyrean Of Jettersonian
platitudes, (for, wise and useful as he
was, scarcely any other man, except
Martin Farquhar Tupper and Abraham
Lincoln, ever talked or wrote more
scattering generalities than did Thomas
Jefferson) or else they will, if their
tastes allow them, to indulge in un-
Limited venom and scurrility. These
are things which are left to the will of
a public speaker.
But the people want to know, and
they have the right to know, just what
reforms and improvements in affairs
the Tillman movement proposes; and
any attempt to sway or inflame the
people, farmers or others, without con-
vincing their judgments and offering
them some substantial relief, will be
an insult to their intelligence and an
| Infamous breach of their confidence.
They clamor for an improvement in
their affairs; they have leaned on Mr..
Tillman, so far as they have shown a
preference, in the trust that this move
IlSll W Ill UCllS1 luCll SOLulIlOu, anu
they have, therefore, a right to know
what is proposed to be done in their be-
half. The question is, shall they be
gratifed, or shall they be merely Ell.
tertained with the average stump
harangues, which consist mostly OF
poor jokes and malevolent personalities?
Shall they be taught their needs and
the means to supply them, or shall
they be only alarmed and enraged?
Shall they be enlightened and reasoned
with, or shall there he only an effort to
capture their votes by exciting their
prejudices?
What is needed is full, fair discus
sion of measures affecting the public
interests. The people, unless | greatly
overrate their Intelligence and sense OF
public duty, will be satisfied with
nothing else, and whether satisfied
without it or not they will be grievous-
ly wronged if they do not have it.
J. F. J. CALDWELL.
Newberry c. H., June 5, 1890.