The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-22
SOUTH CAROLINA'S FIGHT.
THE HOTTEST CAMPAIGN THE PAL
METTO STATE EYER SAW
Tilnann's Enemies Hate him bitterly, and
he Fears AsHAssin ntion-i forte to Be-
cure the Colored Vote Against Hin.

Tirnsann's Enemies Hate him Bitterly, aud
he Fears AsaAssIn ntion-I norts to Be-
cure the Colored Vote Against Him.
COLUMBIA, July 21.-will Ben Tillman. the
farmers candidate be Governor Of South
Carolina7 Every man. woman and child in the
Palmetto State is asking this question. There
are great many who believe he will not lie.
South Carolina politics have never before been
in such a disturbed state Even the turbulent
days OF 1876 were not a match to the present
situation. Then it was white man against
negro. Now it Is brother against brother.
household against household. 1t is death
struggle between two giant factions. and
whichever goes down will stay down.
To ono not acquainted with the situation 1t
would appear that Tillman Is sure to win Till
man has brought himself into notoriety by
posing as a reformer. He has gained the ear
OF the people by declaring that there are abuses
and corruption in the state Government, and
he has won q large faction over to him by
promising to correct the abuses and expose
the corruption. There is large faction that
declares his charges are the cry OF deina-
Rogue and mischievous agitator. whose only
aim ID to secure office Each faction poses as
racy. II Tiliman is allowed to be Governor, Of
South Carolina the fact substantlates MS
charges and 1t will 60 abroad h h ne thS e4 x;
the leople. has wres, ed the Government from
the clutches OF an oligarehy whose power vas vas
used to Cypress and to l,lunder. 10 defeat him
would reverse the situation.
II both factions are Democratic, tho pre-
bly, cause a split OF the party. This is why
Tillman may not be Governor OF South Caro-
lima His a hiSd hat ns IN Ss
action oi a Convention controlled by his allies
would be TO submit to defeat at the hands Of
faction believed to be nndemocratic and hos
tile to good government, and on these grounds
some OF the best and purest Democrats ndNo-
cate direct appeal to ne ballot 1oX: IL the
Timan they believe it will simply be lighting
the devil with fire. They hold the election OF
ocratic candidates. By such means would be
no more di,reputable to them as Democrats
than being beaten ny Tillman.
Therefore. IL there is any irregularity on the
part of the Tillman faction III the August or
September Conventions this will be the ineyita-
vention 10 nominate Governor and State Off
GERS will be held in this city on Sept. ~. The
mining how delegates to the September Con-
yention shall be chosen. whether BY mary
elections or county Conventions. Tue MI
NANTES favor the Convention system, while
the opposition demand the adoption OF the
primary pan.
ton" aud with the white anti Timan c0ntin-
gent would defeat TIilman ct ne POLLS 5hs here
ton. and this contingent will have voice in
coming events. There is another reason why
Tillman may not become a Governor. There
is a possibility that he will not live 10 see cleo
ton day. Some OF his friends openly assert
that an effort will be made to assassin him.
He IL said t. have received letters informing
him that plans have been formed for his as
sassnat,on.
The temper OF South Carolinians is such,
however. that a proposition OF this Find would
appear absurd: but II a riot should occur Mt
any Of the approaching meetings, resulting in
bloodshed: Il is generally accepted conclu-
sion that Tiilman would he killed. That he Is
hated with uncompromising venom is not to
be denied aud there are hundreds OF promi-
nent men IN the State. representing the wealth
and intelligence of the community. who would
look upon Tillman's death rs a benef action.
Tillman realizes the seriousness Of his atti-
tude. ard frequently expresses himself as fear
full that he will be as. assinated.
He has point blank refused 10 participate in
the debate at Charl lesion on the oath inst be-
cause the speaking is nrI anged to take place in
the Opera House at night. AnticiI atinG
trouble, the citizens Of OranGeburg have ap-
pealed to the State Executive Committee TO
cancel the meeting at that PLACE on the 10Th
1t. however. will not be done. There are other
places where trouble OF a serious nature will
likely occur. aud the Joint meetings during
the ensuing week will no doubt be fraught with
sensational incidents.